Mahima Gupta Didwania: Conquering Imposter Syndrome for Productivity | Work in Progress #65

Have you ever suffered from the impact of impostor syndrome, or feeling a persistent self-doubt despite demonstrated competence, which will hinder both personal and professional development? On today’s episode, you’ll discover evidence-based strategies to shift negative self-perceptions, enhance emotional regulation, and strengthen resilience through practical tools such as pride journals and realistic goal-setting.

Meet Mahima Gupta Didwania

Mahima is a registered clinical psychologist who specializes in multiple therapeutic modalities. She holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Mumbai and a Postgraduate Diploma in Transpersonal Regression Therapies from the Tasso Institute in Holland. Her expertise includes Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT Tapping), Matrix Re-imprinting, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Breakthrough Coaching, and Integrated Clinical Hypnotherapy. She has also trained in Schema Therapy, Gottman’s Couples Therapy, and Play Therapy.

Mahima is registered with the Singapore Register of Psychologists (SRP). She is a full member of the Singapore Psychological Society (SPS), where she serves on the Clinical Psychology Special Interest Group’s core committee. She is also an international affiliate of the American Psychological Association (APA) and a member of the Singapore Association for Counselling (SAC).

Beyond clinical practice, Mahima conducts training in EFT and leads workshops on personal development, communication skills, parenting, and stress management. She has completed a Disaster Counseling course from the University of Mumbai and received training in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) for children. Her approach integrates evidence-based interventions tailored to individual needs.

About the episode

Clinical psychologist Mahima Didwania explores self-efficacy and its crucial role in overcoming impostor syndrome. Mahima explains that self-efficacy is the internal belief in your abilities, shaping how you handle challenges and setbacks. Unlike confidence, which can fluctuate based on external validation, self-efficacy provides a stable foundation for personal and professional growth. Impostor syndrome, on the other hand, creates a persistent fear of being exposed as a fraud, even when you have clear evidence of your competence.

This fear often stems from constant self-comparison and unrealistic expectations, making it difficult to internalize success.

To counteract impostor syndrome, Mahima highlights the importance of recognizing personal achievements and shifting focus away from self-doubt. Keeping a pride journal helps reinforce a positive self-image, while setting realistic goals encourages steady progress without the pressure of perfectionism. Furthermore, Mahima also delves into confirmation bias, which leads individuals to focus more on criticism than praise, further deepening feelings of inadequacy.

By becoming aware of this bias, you can reframe your thoughts and build resilience. Emotional efficacy is another essential skill, helping you manage emotions independently rather than relying on external reassurance. The episode introduces practical self-help techniques, including Tapping (Emotional Freedom Techniques), as a way to regulate emotions and strengthen emotional resilience.

Building self-efficacy is a continuous process that requires self-awareness, persistence, and intentional strategies. By actively recognizing your strengths, reframing setbacks as learning opportunities, and developing emotional independence, you can navigate impostor syndrome with greater confidence. The journey toward self-improvement is not about eliminating self-doubt entirely but about cultivating resilience and self-trust, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and self-assured life.

In conclusion

Self-efficacy—a stable belief in one’s abilities, distinct from fluctuating confidence tied to external validation—is key to overcoming impostor syndrome, which fuels persistent fears of inadequacy despite evidence of competence. Strengthening self-efficacy is an ongoing process of self-awareness, intentional practice, and focusing on progress over perfection, fostering resilience and self-trust to navigate self-doubt and embrace a more empowered life.

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