Hogwash! The Lies We Feed Ourselves (And How to Stop Swallowing Them)
Aug 07, 2025
Hogwash!
That’s what it is.
The silent, sneaky thoughts that convince us we’re not good enough, not ready, not worthy.
- “They didn’t reply. They must be upset with me.”
- “I always mess things up.”
- “I’ll never be able to do that on my own.”
- "I don’t really deserve this, someone’s going to find out I’m a fraud.” The classic Imposter Syndrome
- “If I ask for help, they'll realize I don't know what I'm doing."
Hogwash!
The word originally referred to the scraps tossed to pigs, leftovers too worthless for the family table.
Over time, it evolved into slang for foolish, false, or misleading ideas.
And that’s exactly what most of our self-doubt is: worthless mental leftovers we keep serving ourselves.
Hogwash!
For years, I believed if someone didn’t respond to me, it meant I disappointed them. If I wasn’t picked, it meant I wasn’t good enough. If I didn’t say yes to everyone, they’d leave or resent me.
- It wasn't the truth
- It was fear in disguise
- It was hogwash
That’s when I created a simple but powerful tool:
Simply create two columns.
One for Hogwash.
One for Truth.
We all carry stories that aren’t real.
But they feel real, because our brain is wired to protect us from threats, not to propel us toward joy.
Research shows over 80% of our thoughts are negative, and most never come true.
That’s why writing them down helps.
When we name it “hogwash,” we disarm it.
When we rewrite it as truth, we replace noise with clarity.
And if you want to see that idea in action, one of our recent supporters Wishes.Inc does something beautifully aligned: helping people rewrite their own real-life stories. By connecting donors directly to individuals with specific needs, they turn doubt into dignity. It’s hope, delivered.
You don’t have to keep believing the scraps.
Make your list.
Hogwash on one side. Truth on the other.
|
Hogwash |
Truth |
|---|---|
|
“They’re upset with me.” |
“They’re probably just busy, or not ready yet.” |
|
“I always fail.” |
“I’ve succeeded more times than I give myself credit for.” |
|
“No one sees my effort.” |
“The right people notice, and I notice too.” |
That’s how we start to clean the lens and make room for glimmer and awe.
Because most people don’t question the story.
But you do.
For More Inspiration
🎧 Listen to This Week’s Episode #195: Bart Berkey, Founder of Most People Don't,
#195 Hogwash: The Lies We Feed… - Most People Don't... But You Do! - Apple Podcasts
We all carry a little “hogwash”, those sneaky, negative beliefs we treat as truth: “I’m not good enough,” “Everyone’s upset with me,” or “I always mess up.” In this week’s solo episode, I dig deep into the false stories we tell ourselves, revealing how they keep us stuck. Through honest stories, science-backed insights, and a simple “hogwash vs. truth” exercise, Bart will show you how to spot your emotional triggers, call out those unhelpful thoughts, and rewrite your script. Ready to start seeing more awe, hope, and possibility in your life? Tune in and discover how letting go of the hogwash can change EVERYTHING.
Each week, I sit down with leaders who share unfiltered wisdom and actionable insights, so you can...
Be Better, Feel Better, Do Better, and Live with Greater Impact.
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Don’t miss your weekly dose of inspiration, tune in and take that next step!
Special thanks to our newest sponsor: Wishes, Inc.
Wishes, Inc. connects real people with real needs to brands, donors, and a community ready to do good. They help make dreams a reality—amplifying generosity, one wish at a time.
Learn more about Wishes, Inc.
