Is the belief that 'anyone can do anything' helpful or irresponsible, and how does it affect individuals pursuing their goals, including those dealing with imposter syndrome?
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Top comments (8)
While it could be used to boost confidence, it can also do quite the opposite. I think the belief is incomplete, you won't recommend someone to make their dream app when they have just learned web development, or become proficient in something with a steep-learning curve if they don't have the foundation for it.
As developers, I think we often underestimate the amount of work needed to accomplish things, therefore it really hurts our ego once we can't accomplish them or make a lesser, jank-ier, version of what we had envisioned. The belief states that with some work and some time, we can do anything, but "some work" and "some time" vary depending on what we want to do, and sometimes our current selves ultimately can't.
I guess my point is that if you put in the work and time then yes, you will be able to accomplish those things you set out to do, but people can often underestimate how many times they need to fail in order to do those things, hence they just hurt themselves in the process and they could even give up half-way.
I think it's irresponsible and coming from toxic positivity and illusion of control. I just roll my eyes when people come out from a coding bootcamp and say they are full-stack developers. So, no, you can't be one that can do everything, but you are capable of learning what's needed, adapt and be seasoned: it just needs time, effort and sane colleagues, who know what you don't know and they don't shove you into the control room of a nuclear power plant.
Regarding the imposter syndrome I have a strange take: be glad if you have a bit of imposter syndrome, it means you are not delusional about your own skills. But also flip it around: how come that you should fear being exposed, instead of being helped when one of your weaknesses is revealed? It helps imagining what would you do with a person who tells you they feel like they are imposters?
Great teams pull each other up, evil teams constantly look at who they can get rid of. The corporate world is so hell-bent on busting unions and turning each of us against us, it even hurts their profits...
The answer is hard, but it's a no . Like others have said, it is incorrect. It often said to boost confidence, but it would be better for each of us to understand our strengths and be able to recognise what we can do, what we can excel at and what is out of our reach.
A middle aged person and above can not be a ballerina proffessionaly. A person who freezes in front of complex problems can not have a career in programming complex systems like AI, Information Systems etc. In the system we live, a low class individual can not be a F1 driver.
Some things are mentally, financially, physically challenging and not everyone can do them.
Anyone who's willing to do something extensively is capable of doing anything they want to the best of their God given abilities. For instance a blind person can't be a NASCAR driver, a paraplegic person can't compete and win a non-disabled Olympic field that involves the running, etc.
If a disability is involved in most cases these people can not compare in those categories which define there disabilities when being compared to someone with none. This also goes for mental impairments as well (Laziness is not a disability).
These are non developer examples but just what came to mind.
Happy Venturing 😉💭
I agree with the other comments, I think it's irresponsible and incorrect. Not everyone can do anything sadly. Not only because one might not have the fisical or mental capacities, but their environment or place of birth might reduce the chances os being able to accomplish certain things.
A person that is 150cm will not be able to becomes the best high jumper in the world. A uneducated person from a underdeveloped country will have it very hard or even impossible to go to space, etc...
Yes.
But it's more complicated than that.
If, for example you're missing a leg you will never be able to stand on two natural feet. You might, however, be able to stand on two feet. It will be a lot harder than how others have to do it but you can technically do it if you expand the requirements.
I think some things just come to some people, and some things will have to work hard t do it.
There was this one kid I was teaching, and he could just read code like we read English, it was magical and made me feel down I couldn't do the game, similar to how musicians might envy pitch perfect people. I can do the things that kid will go on to do, but I will never be able to do it as fast or well as he does.
Of course there are exceptions, if you're in a coma you're probably not able to do more than involuntarily breathe.
Just think you can do anything then you can do anything, that's it and there is nothing to overthink about it.
It's Big NOOO . God created everybody in his place to make life completed by all of us