Imposter syndrome, that annoying devil on your shoulder telling you you’re a fraud 🙊
I unfortunately am too familiar with this devil on my shoulder. Whenever I can’t figure out a piece of code, ask for help, get a compliment or have a personal one 2 one. Under the belief I actually have no idea what I’m doing, how am I even here? Does everyone else think I’m useless too?
Being a self taught developer it can be daunting working with some incredible people and developers, people with uni qualifications, YEARS of experience, people who are just incredible at what they do. Sometimes this truly inspires me, sometimes this makes me feel more of a fraud. Constantly feeling like I have to prove myself and what I’m capable of.
There’s a few things I do that help me with this and I would recommend too if you also have this little devil on your shoulder.
⭐️ If I get an email or message saying something positive about myself or a piece of work I’ve done, I save it, screenshot it and have it on my computer for any moment I’m feeling down.
⭐️ I ask my boss for feedback on my work and how I can improve.
⭐️ I try not to compare myself to my colleagues but ask them for advice or help if I need.
⭐️ I try to look at my future and where I want to be and set goals of how I’m going to get there, accepting I’m not there now but I will be.
The little devil may never go away but he doesn’t have to be as scary as he seems. Have faith in what you do, believe in yourself, enjoy the good days.