Struggling with Imposter Syndrome
The fact is that before programmers learn how to deal with imposter syndrome, they need to know how to identify it. All too often I have heard programmers say that they would never be able to work with a specific technology.
Imposter Syndrome - How to Overcome It
You feel that having your work peer reviewed will expose your lack of knowledge. Developers getting stuck in a rut is usually the result of not moving forward for fear of putting yourself out there. They never attempt to learn something new. Some programmers never move outside their comfort zone. It is for these reasons that struggling with imposter syndrome is a very real thing. Some signs that you might be struggling with imposter syndrome are:
- You are afraid that people important to you will see you as incapable?
- Do you struggle to accept compliments or praise?
- Does it feel like your success is due to luck?
There is however a way for professionals in dealing with imposter syndrome.
You need a different perspective
The raw deal with imposter syndrome is that it makes you feel isolated and excluded. In reality though, everyone has a hand in what you know. The flip side is also true, you have a hand in what everyone else knows too. Think about that for a minute. There is an overlap of knowledge between developers.
This is the first and most important step in learning how to deal with imposter syndrome. Once you realize this, you can move past how you feel and replace that with passion.
Everything around you that you call life, was made up by people that were no smarter than you. And you can change it. You can influence it. – Steve Jobs
Start by moulding your perception of life. As it happens, you are the architect of your own destiny. It is within your reach to create the career that you want to have. All you have to do, is realize that you can.
Living life with passion
I’m not saying that programmers that are struggling with imposter syndrome have a lack of passion. I’m saying that imposter syndrome is getting in the way of you living passionately.
There is a different breed of person that can be found in the lonely hours of the night, faces illuminated by the glow of a computer screen, vamping on technology. This breed belongs to a passionate few that consider their trade as more of an artform, than work. The fact that you are reading this article, tells me that these passionate few include you.
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