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The paradox behind imposter syndrome
and why self-doubt might be your hidden superpower
Mario Peshev
March 05, 2025
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Welcome to The Smarter Brain, a curation of thought-provoking ideas and actionable reads to help you build better habits and become more productive.
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Cheers,
The Smarter Brain Team
Estimated Reading Time: 2 mins
3 Ideas for Better Habits
The Paradox of Impostor Syndrome
Organizational psychologist, Adam M. Grant, on rethinking self-doubt.
“Not long ago, it dawned upon me that impostor syndrome is a paradox:
others believe in you
you don't believe in yourself
yet you believe yourself instead of them
If you doubt yourself, shouldn't you also doubt your low opinion of yourself?”
Rethinking Heroic Effort
Author of transformational theories, Carol S. Dweck, on recognizing effort.
“Think about your hero. Do you think of this person as someone with extraordinary abilities who achieved with little effort? Now go find out the truth. Find out the tremendous effort that went into their accomplishment—and admire them more.”
Understanding Our Emotions
Emotional intelligence expert, Daniel Goleman, on the autonomy of feelings.
“Feelings are self-justifying, with a set of perceptions and 'proofs' all their own.”
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Productivity Tools and Resources
The Simple Habit to Boost Brainpower and Slow Aging
Did you know exercise isn’t just for your body—it’s a game-changer for your brain too? According to neuroscience research, regular physical activity improves focus, memory, and cognitive performance while protecting against brain atrophy and cognitive decline.
Instagram Stories vs. Reels: Which Is Best for Your Brand?
Both Instagram Stories and Reels are powerful marketing tools, but they serve different purposes. Stories drive immediate engagement with polls and promotions, while Reels offer a broader reach and longer content visibility. Choosing the right one depends on your goals and audience.
What We're Reading
🚀 Growth Shuttle Insider is our weekly B2B newsletter covering enterprise growth, macroeconomic shifts, and how to interpret global news in a business environment. If you’re an executive, angel investor, or currently building an international business, this is your go-to read for how organizations scale in 2025.
Brain Food
Today I Learned: Birds never crash into each other because they always veer to the right. (Source)
Science: Elderberry juice may be a potent tool for weight management and enhancing metabolic health, according to a recent study. A clinical trial found that drinking 12 ounces of elderberry juice daily for a week causes positive changes in the gut microbiome and improves glucose tolerance and fat oxidation. (Source)
Have a productive rest of your week,
The Smarter Brain Team
Resource Spotlight
11 Strategies to Improve Your Creative Thinking Skills
Struggling to stay innovative in a world where AI does the heavy lifting? Discover how brainstorming, mind mapping, and reframing problems can spark fresh ideas and keep you competitive.
Learn how simple habits like daydreaming and asking the right questions can fuel out-of-the-box solutions, boost collaboration, and turn challenges into opportunities.
When Bots Outwork the 9-to-5: AI’s 168-Hour Week
and how 24/7 coverage is reshaping corporate roles
Did you know that while corporate employees typically clock 40 hours a week, AI-powered bots can put in a full 168? That’s round-the-clock availability with no sick days or PTO.
As big companies trim headcount and lean on bulletproof processes, the real game-changer is continuous coverage. Learn why the future of work belongs to those who can harness the relentless pace of AI—and how startups and agencies are already adapting.
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