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The Conversation: The Imposter (What’s inside)

By Letroy Woods - Special to the Standard-Examiner | Nov 22, 2025

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Letroy Woods

The conversation with the deceiver begins early in our lives. We are molded in our adolescent years and encouraged by all the individuals around us to believe certain ideas, until the pressure becomes too great and we sign the contract pressed upon us. “What do you want to do when you grow up?” becomes the primary question of concern, with the authoritative influence of coercion. Rather, a better question to ask is, “who do you want to become when you grow up?” One question suggests force, while the other engages choice. The battle between external and internal is the same conversation on different ends of the spectrum. To understand the imposter, the ideas must be observed without judgment or criticism.

Many people’s lives are spent in a space of negativity, and because of the lack of a relationship with its opposite, positivity becomes a barren land that is rarely visited. In our programming, the ego suggests that we should always stay in a state of bliss. But perhaps the pursuit of desire is disguised in the embrace of adversity. Movement of the body is required to free the mind. We seek that which we cannot find because the search for what we are does not exist in the external world. In humility of our ignorance, the prize we are looking for will reveal itself. To become complete is a subjective matter, and one of personal integrity.

Impostor (n.) 1580s, “swindler, cheat,” “a deceiver,” “place upon, impose upon, into, in, on,” “one who places himself off as another.” –Etymonline.com

The longer one lives in the past, the less future they have to enjoy in the present moment. The impostor, also known as the swindler, should not be allowed to pass the threshold of the mind and the heart. This masquerader becomes a monster for many and hides behind many masks, labels, and titles, and cannot survive in a state of positivity. Who are you when you are with your family, at work, with friends, and with yourself?

“So much of Impostor syndrome involves analytically questioning yourself, digging a hole and doubting yourself. You’re letting your own thoughts poison you instead of fuel you. Visualization and meditating on the outcome of your contributions can be your savior.” –Brendon Burchard

The conversation is the place where one lives and dwells, and the road to freedom in our lifetime. At your core, who do you want to become, and why is this important to you? It takes courage to have these conversations day after day. There are no days off because if we do by default, the imposter will show up.

Trust the voice of intuition within you, and one step at a time, free yourself.

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