Sunday Setup

A weekly newsletter to help get your mind set up for a positive workweek.

03.09.2025 — Gimp My Ride

It’s Bears Repeating

They say desperate times call for desperate measures, but if you're not careful, those desperate measures may call for desperate time behind bars.

Last November four LA-area residents were arrested for — presumably — trying to score some fast cash from three different insurance companies. The motley crew filed not one, but three claims for interior damages allegedly caused by a wild bear roaming the San Bernadino Mountains. However, after reviewing video footage, which the suspects provided, detectives were able to determine that the culprit was actually a human masquerading as a bear.

The brown-furred bear seen on camera was a dead giveaway to a biologist from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife because the only wild bears in the state are black. And after executing a search warrant for their home, detectives found a bear costume, complete with a furry snouted head, paws, and metal, claw-shaped tools.

In the end, Fauxdilox and the three bears bilked the insurers out of nearly $150,000 for damages to a 2010 Rolls Royce Ghost, 2015 Mercedes G63 AMG, and a 2022 Mercedes E350. And they would've gotten away with it too, if it wasn't for those meddling cops and agents.

Jake, Flo and the Gecko showed that getting over on your insurance company isn't so easy to do. Not even for a caveman dressed as a bear.

Am I a Fraud?

I can't count the number of times I've asked myself that question. When it comes to my work as a computer programmer, a project manager, a writer, or a stand-up comedian, I've had many bouts with doubts about my skills.

Am I good enough? Can I really do this? What happens if I can't? What if someone asks me a question and I don't know the answer? What if people laugh at me? Even worse, what if no one laughs at me when I want them to? Maybe I should just go through life dressed as a bear.

Sadly — or thankfully — I know I'm not alone. In 2024 the Harvard Business Review reported that 62% of workers worldwide have experienced impostor syndrome at some point during their career. And those numbers don't discriminate, accounting for everyone from entry-level employees to seasoned executives. Et tu, Brute?

So, how can you activate a bit of fraud protection when your mind tries to compromise your identity?

First, try to recognize — in the moment — when you're exhibiting the characteristics of impostor syndrome. Things like negative self-talk, attributing past success to external factors, or exaggerated thoughts of impending failure are just a few ways it can show up.

Next, try to identify what triggered your mind to malign yourself. Perhaps you finally landed that promotion you've been aiming for and now you think the job is bigger than you can handle. Or maybe your manager just dropped a high-profile project in your lap because you've earned their trust, but the tight deadline is daunting. Regardless, the key is to name your fear so you can eventually face it.

Finally, challenge the Doubting Thomas' in your mind. Dig deep to determine whether their concerns are legit. Even if you've never fully experienced whatever is causing you angst, that doesn't mean you can't be successful once you fully focus on the task at hand. Take solace in the fact that your track record includes obstacles that you may have once feared, but eventually cleared.

Granted, impostor syndrome is a complex phenomenon that requires mindful retrospective investigations to uncover the root causes and fully resolve, but hopefully these Cliff's Notes will help you derail any dubious thoughts down the road. 

If and when they do arise, remember the words of James Baldwin...

Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.

You got this!

Ok, so I'm not a doctor — although I have played one on TV — but I wanted to share a few resources that I think someone truly struggling with impostor syndrome might find beneficial. If that's you, please review some of the following articles and consider seeking professional help to fully address the issue.

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