You think you aren’t qualified for the job you do? It’s called “Imposter Syndrome” and here’s how you can deal with it.
Are you a perfectionist? Maybe you feel completely lost in a meeting about a project because you don’t know enough about the technologies being discussed by the others. You feel like you are always falling behind in the latest frameworks or languages. Enjoy your stay!
These negative emotions are not only common, but they’re not uncommon. It’s known as imposter syndrome. This is the feeling that you are not good enough or competent enough to do your job well. These emotions are something that everyone has experienced at one time or another in their lives, regardless of whether they are professional or personal. It is part of human nature. People who are most productive and successful often manage to minimize the effects of imposter syndrome.
Based on my own experience as a software developer, and the advice of mentors, I will be sharing my personal experiences and recommending steps to overcome imposter syndrome.
Why you feel like programmer imposter syndrome
Software development is constantly evolving. It’s a vast field, and it’s only growing. There are more developers than ever, and the software industry is growing, which means that there is a greater demand for developers. This encourages the creation of new languages, frameworks, tools, and other technologies. This means that there is always more to learn, and the industry will only get more complex. This mindset can cause you to feel overwhelmed as a developer.
The media also creates unrealistic perceptions about the tech industry. Software is the focus of media attention. It’s not surprising that many people feel they will never be able to make it as a top-tier software developer, given how often startups in new tech are covered by the media. There is a myth that software development is only for the smartest people. Although that may have been true once upon a time, programming languages and tools have advanced greatly and made programming much easier and more accessible.
This misconception of brilliance as a prerequisite for developers and the pressure to keep up with the latest trends–a product industry’s rapid growth –can lead to a focus on what you don’t know and fuel the feeling of inadequacy. Soon, you will be a victim to imposter syndrome. You will feel like a fraud, work harder, spend more time on small details, and minimize your future accomplishments. You might find yourself blaming luck or coincidence for your success, rather than your skills and knowledge as a programmer.
This sounds familiar? Let’s look at the different ways we can combat this.
How to deal with the programmer imposter syndrome
Here are some tips to combat the imposter syndrome which is a common problem for every developer.
1. Be comfortable being uncomfortable
It is important to accept and realize that imposter syndrome will never go away. Imposter syndrome is when you compare what you know with what you think others know. You don’t see the struggles of others and don’t know what theirs are. It’s like looking at Instagram or Facebook: You see all the other people’s vacations, new cars and homes, new phones, and new significant others. You won’t see their low points and doubts as often. This is a comparison of your Facebook life to your entire life, the good and the bad.
This is the essence and cause of imposter syndrome. You can see the success and intelligence of others and fear that you might not have that or be able to master that concept or technology. It is natural to focus on your weaknesses. We don’t want to be the worst developers in a company. Developers love to learn, and there is so much to be learned in development. It’s natural to compare what you know to others and feel inferior.
You will never be an expert in software programming. There will always be something more to learn. There will always be new languages or processes or technologies to learn. There will always be someone who is better than you are at something. There will always be someone who is more knowledgeable than you are. There will always be a better developer.
Although it may seem depressing at the moment, I find it liberating. Focus on improving and growing. You can focus on what you control: your skills, and your knowledge. Accept the fact that you will never feel completely educated.
