Remembering Your True belonging

Carroll Macey
5 days ago
3 min read

Is That True of You Today?

Years ago, in a session with my own coach (yes, us coaches need coaching too), I was sharing a story about myself.A paradigm I believed to be absolutely true.

She paused, looked at me and asked:

“Is that true of you today?”

It stopped me in my tracks.That single question caused me to pause and reassess.And I realised… it wasn’t true anymore.

That old belief had expired, but I was still living as if it were real.

In my work with leaders, Imposter Syndrome often sits quietly in the corner of the coaching room.It doesn’t say much at first, but you can feel its presence — a subtle tension that makes the client glance its way from time to time.

That inner belief that their success is due to luck, timing or charm rather than genuine ability or worth.It whispers:

“Any minute now, they’ll find me out.”

It fuels dread and anxiety.It drives overthinking.It discounts praise and drains energy.

It can make you overwork, avoid opportunities, or set impossibly high standards — only to feel inadequate when you don’t meet them.You might find yourself downplaying your expertise or comparing yourself to others, always coming up short.

Inside, there’s a tug-of-war between outer success (that everyone else sees) and inner uncertainty (that you quietly carry).A tightness in the chest, a flutter in the stomach, a restless mind.

It’s a kind of misidentification with the ego self — the part that constantly seeks validation — rather than resting in the deeper awareness that simply is.

Here’s the truth I often share with clients:

Imposter Syndrome is your psyche’s way of saying,“You’re growing — and your old self-concept hasn’t caught up yet.”

It’s not a flaw.It’s a signal of expansion — a sign that you’re evolving into new territory.

So when a client recently faced this same feeling, I found myself asking them the very question that changed me years ago:

“Is that true of you today?”

They went on to seek feedback — not to prove their worth, but to hear the truth reflected back.And in our next session, I watched them completely own who they are — reclaiming their confidence and rewriting that internal story.

It was a powerful reminder that growth often begins with a single pause… and one good question.

Three Ways to Quiet the Imposter Voice

1. Name the Voice — Don’t Negotiate with It That inner critic thrives in the shadows. The moment you name it, you weaken its grip.When you notice the thought — “I’m not ready for this” or “They’ll realise I’m a fraud” — pause and say:

“Ah, there’s my imposter voice again.”Label it gently, like a passing cloud. Don’t argue or defend — just notice. That simple awareness gives you choice.

2. Anchor in the Body, Not the Story Imposter feelings live in the body long before they form in the mind.When your nervous system senses threat, the mind follows with anxious thoughts.So, bring yourself home to your body:

Plant your feet on the floor.
Take three slow breaths, lengthening each exhale.
Drop your shoulders and feel your centre of gravity lower.

As Thich Nhat Hanh said, “Peace is every step.” When you return to the body, you return to presence — and from there, clarity follows.

3. Keep a “Truth File” Create a small folder (digital or paper) where you collect evidence of your capability — kind feedback, thank-you notes, proud moments.When the imposter voice grows loud, open it.This isn’t about ego — it’s about restoring balance.Your brain needs evidence to rewrite old patterns. Over time, your inner story starts to match your lived reality.

In essence:🧠 Name it🫁 Ground it💬 Reframe it

And when that imposter voice shows up again, try asking yourself: