Imposter syndrome’s greatest hits: Einstein, Newton, and your inner critic 🎭
Einstein thought Newton was better. Newton thought Jesus was. What’s holding you back?
If you’ve ever doubted yourself or felt like a fraud, here’s some cosmic reassurance: even the brightest minds in history grappled with imposter syndrome. Yes, that includes Albert Einstein, the man who basically bent the universe to his will.
But Einstein’s self-doubt wasn’t a one-off case. It’s part of a surprising chain reaction: Einstein idolised Isaac Newton, and Newton, in turn, idolised Jesus Christ so much he chose to die a virgin trying to emulate him.
It’s the wild truth brought to light by physicist and author Brian Keating on a recent episode of The Diary of a CEO podcast with Steven Bartlett.
Keating, the author of Into The Impossible: Think Like A Nobel Prize Winner, shared a revealing conversation with physics Nobel laureate Barry Barish when researching his book, who admitted he still struggles with imposter syndrome even after winning science’s ultimate accolade.
Barish described the surreal moment of receiving the prize in Stockholm: “They give you this huge gold medal, solid gold, and a million dollars. And they want to make sure you’re not going to come back and say, ‘Hey, where’s my money?’ So, you sign this ledger. It has your signature: ‘I, Barry Barish, received the Nobel Prize.’”
But Barish, instead of basking in the glory, flipped through the book to see the names of past winners: Richard Feynman, Marie Curie, Albert Einstein. He told Keating: “I don’t deserve to be in the same universe as Albert Einstein, let alone in the same book.”
Keating replied with a jaw-dropper: “Barry, I’ve got good news for you. Albert Einstein had the imposter syndrome, too.”
Einstein’s cosmic doubts
Yes, even Einstein, the father of modern physics, was plagued by self-doubt. “Einstein’s hero was Isaac Newton,” Keating explained. “Einstein said, ‘Isaac Newton did more for science and Western civilisation than any human being before or since.’” Talk about a tough act to follow.
But the rabbit hole goes deeper. As Keating revealed, “Isaac Newton had imposter syndrome, too.” How could the man who invented calculus and discovered universal gravitation feel unworthy?
Newton’s insecurities stemmed from his reverence for Jesus Christ. He knew he couldn’t work miracles or walk on water, but he believed he could emulate Christ in one way: by remaining celibate. “So much so,” Keating shared, “that he attempted to die a virgin, as Jesus did. And so he did.”
Let that sink in for a moment. The man who defined gravity couldn’t shake the weight of his own insecurities.
The imposter syndrome feedback loop
Imposter syndrome isn’t new. It’s a phenomenon as old as ambition itself. But why does it strike so often — and at such dizzying heights? According to Keating, it’s about idolising others and creating impossible standards.
“When you idolise something, you pedestalise it, and you’ll never live up to it,” he said. Einstein idolised Newton. Newton idolised Christ. And you? Maybe it’s an online entrepreneur, a colleague, or that influencer with a seemingly perfect life.
Barish’s Nobel Prize moment encapsulates the paradox of achievement. Instead of validating him, it magnified his doubts. “How could they give the same prize to me they gave to Einstein?” Barish wondered. And yet, Einstein might’ve asked the same about Newton.
Why imposter syndrome isn’t a curse
Here’s the crux: imposter syndrome isn’t a sign of failure, it’s a hallmark of ambition. The people who feel it the most are often the ones who push boundaries and aim high.
Keating summed it up perfectly: “The lesson is, imposter syndrome is normal. Don’t idolise something. Who cares? He’s a man. You get a grave and a golden image. Who cares?”
If Einstein doubted himself and still managed to redefine the universe, what’s stopping you from stepping up? Imposter syndrome doesn’t mean you don’t belong. It’s proof you care enough to grow.
So, how do you silence the inner critic whispering, “You’re not good enough”? Start by recognising that your heroes — Einstein, Newton, Barish — likely felt the same. Yet they didn’t let it paralyse them. Instead, they used it as fuel.
Keating’s advice? Stop idolising others. “The people you look up to are human. They have insecurities, they’ve failed, and they’ve doubted themselves just like you.”
The next time imposter syndrome creeps in, remember this: Einstein, Newton, and even Nobel Prize winners struggled with the same feelings. They didn’t let those doubts define them, and neither should you. Whether you’re chasing a promotion, launching a side hustle, or presenting in a meeting, take a page out of their book.
Show up, own your space, and remember that self-doubt doesn’t disqualify you, it makes you human.
And hey, at least no one’s expecting you to invent calculus or remain celibate in the name of greatness. You’ve got this!
🎧 Check out Brian Keating’s podcast, Into The Impossible.
Facts I did not know. Great insight