The Imposter Syndrome Brain Filter

“We all agree we have Imposter Syndrome, but nobody tells us how to get rid of it” ?- Female Leader in the Technology Industry

I wanted to share some fascinating insights about how your brain might hold you back—and how this relates to your level of consciousness and mental patterns.

Our brains are constantly filtering information to help us focus and conserve energy. ?

Over time, our brains build well-worn pathways, or “default” ways of thinking, that streamline our mental processing and save energy.

While efficient, these automatic patterns can keep us stuck, especially if they reinforce self-doubt. If you've ever felt like an “imposter,” despite your accomplishments, it could be due to these established pathways filtering for self-criticism or doubt rather than success.

Here are some common mental talk that point to imposter syndrome:?

“I just got lucky.” I don’t feel like my hard work or skills played a big role—I think it was just luck.

“I’m not ready for this; I need more experience.” Even though I might be qualified, I feel like I need to learn more before I’m truly “ready” for this role or opportunity.

“I don’t really fit in here.” In new or challenging environments, I feel like I don’t belong, like everyone else fits in better than I do.

“Anyone could have done this.” I feel like my achievements aren’t that special and that anyone else could have done the same thing.

“What if they find out I’m not actually that good? I worry about being “found out” or exposed, fearing that others might realize I’m not as skilled or capable as they think.

Why Women Tend to Have it Worse

Dr. Daniel Amen’s SPECT imaging research of 46,034 brain scans reveals that women’s brains show higher activity in the prefrontal cortex and limbic system, which enhances empathy, self-awareness, and emotional regulation. Source

While these traits support emotional intelligence, they can also lead to overthinking, heightened self-criticism, and increased anxiety.

This mental processing style can make women more susceptible to imposter syndrome, as they may filter out positive achievements, focus on perceived flaws, and experience an intensified fear of failure or of “being found out.”

These brain patterns, while beneficial in many ways, may inadvertently fuel self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy.

Research on the brain shows that many of our mental habits—like overthinking and self-criticism—are deeply ingrained but can be shifted with intentional practice.

There are five powerful strategies that, by reaching higher levels of awareness, can help you notice and reshape these patterns.

Through methods like pinpointing your human design and wiring, self-reflection, and cognitive reframing, you can challenge automatic negative thoughts and begin building mental pathways that emphasize your strengths and growth.

This exploration and application can be transformative, helping you cultivate a more empowering and accurate view of yourself.

If you’d like to dive deeper into strategies for building these new habits, I’d be happy to share more insights on unlocking the filters that may keep you stuck.

Take Great Care,

~Daneen