We all adjust our stories depending on our audience. Usually harmless, but adjusting to impress somebody will destroy your credibility.

Many are desperate to appear smarter, more successful, and more interesting. They will bend truth to serve themselves, often convincing themselves their own embellishments are real.

Sometimes this behavior is expected. In job interviews, one might employ strategic words, stating their experience as "Facilitated seamless high-volume transactions for the top revenue-generating company in the world" rather than "Cashier at Walmart."

Talking yourself up may get you the job offer, but it's bad for relationship building. Problems emerge when people meet the real you and they discover gaps between presentation and reality. Once they spot the pattern, they discount everything you say. Your credibility erodes like a credit score with missed payments—soon no one will lend you respect.

Credibility takes years to build, moments to destroy. Play the long game. Let your work speak for itself. The temporary boost of appearing successful is rarely worth the permanent cost.