Why Your Mind Makes You Feel Like a Fraud

(And What Evolution Has to Do With It)

Have you ever wondered why your mind so often tells you you're not good enough, that you're just winging it, or that you're about to be “found out”?

You’re not alone. These are hallmark experiences of imposter syndrome, and they’re surprisingly common, especially among people who are doing well on the surface but don’t feel it on the inside.

The good news is that there’s nothing wrong with you.
The less good news is that it’s just the way your brain works. Or more accurately, it’s your evolved brain doing exactly what it was built to do: detect danger and protect you from harm—even when there’s no actual threat.

Let me explain.

A Brain Built for Survival, Not Self-Esteem

Our minds evolved in environments that were dangerous and unpredictable. For early humans, survival depended on being constantly alert to threats, both physical (like predators) and social (like being rejected from the group). If you weren’t scanning for danger, you probably didn’t survive long enough to pass on your genes.

Fast-forward to today, and your brain is still working from that same old blueprint. It’s on constant lookout for what might go wrong, where you might fail, or how others might judge you.

Instead of worrying about lions or starvation, your mind now reacts to things like:

• Giving a presentation at work

• Posting on LinkedIn

• Speaking up in a meeting

• Getting a performance review

• Starting something new

Your mind shouts:
“What if I mess this up?”
“What if they realise I’m not as capable as they think?”
“What if I’m not good enough?”

We can then find ourselves fighting with these worries and fears as though they are lions, and this is what feeds imposter syndrome.

The Modern World, Through a Caveman Lens

Our ancestors also needed to stay in the tribe to survive. So our brains developed a deep sensitivity to rejection, exclusion, and social comparison.

Back then, your “group” was about 50 people. Today, it’s the entire internet.

We’re now constantly bombarded by curated images and stories of other people’s lives, which feeds into that ancient drive to compare and assess our worth. This is how imposter syndrome gets amplified: our brains measure us against impossible standards, while telling us we’re falling short.

It’s no wonder we feel like we’re faking it—our minds are operating with Stone Age software in a 21st-century world.

A Brilliant Illustration

To get a visual sense of how the mind evolved—and why it so often gets caught up in worry, anxiety, and self-criticism, I highly recommend watching this short video by Dr. Russ Harris, who explains it in a simple and relatable way:

📺 Watch: The Evolution of the Human Mind – Russ Harris

It’s a great way to understand how normal it is for the mind to do what it does—and why the key isn’t fixing the mind, but learning how to work with it differently.

So… What Can You Do About It?

1. Recognise the Pattern

Start by noticing when your mind goes into “safety mode.” Is it scanning for danger, predicting disaster, or criticising you? That’s not a personal failing—that’s evolution at work.

The moment you recognise the pattern, you gain a little distance from it—and that space is powerful.

2. Stop Arguing with Your Mind

Trying to silence imposter thoughts usually backfires. The more you try to push them away, the louder they come back. Instead, acknowledge the thoughts without buying into them. You might say,

“Thanks, mind. I see what you’re doing there.”
You don’t have to argue or obey. Just notice.

3. Take Values-Led Action

Feeling like a fraud and inferior often pull us away from what matters as we hesitate, avoid, or play small. But growth comes from taking action with the doubt, not waiting for confidence first.
Ask:

“What would I do here if I wasn’t letting fear decide?”
Let your values, not your fears, be the guide.

4. Be Compassionate With Yourself

Your mind’s threat system evolved to keep you safe, not happy. So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or self-critical, that doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you’re human.
Try speaking to yourself the way you would to a close friend in the same situation. That shift in tone makes a huge difference.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to “fix” your thoughts or get rid of imposter syndrome altogether.
You need to understand why it shows up and learn how to respond in a new way.

Your brain is just trying to protect you, using an ancient blueprint in a modern world. And while it might never stop pointing out your flaws or warning you of failure, you can learn to step back, take a breath, and choose how you respond.

You don’t have to believe everything you think.
You don’t have to act on every self-doubt.
You can take the next step, even with imposter syndrome in the room.

Want to explore how to change your relationship with imposter syndrome?
Let’s work together to help you understand what’s going on, develop new tools, and build a life that feels more aligned with who you really are.