Recently, I've been going through impostor syndrome. Obviously, that has put my mood down and decreased my productivity, as I was feeling incapable of doing good work or delivering high-quality value.
If you feel like this, here is an exercise that will help you get through it, just as it helped me.
Think for a couple of minutes about all the technologies, design patterns, databases, processes, and everything else you need to know to be an engineer. How could an impostor know all of this?
I'm pretty sure, your journey has been full of learning, adapting, and solving problems. No one stumbles upon this kind of skill set by accident. Each challenge you’ve faced has contributed to your growth. A true impostor wouldn’t be able to do as much as you did, nor keep the determination to continue learning more and more.
Now that you know you're amazing, here are some tips on how to transform this realization into positive work:
Celebrate small wins: Every task you complete, no matter how simple, is an achievement. Recognizing your daily successes helps you build confidence and stay motivated.
Focus on growth, not perfection: There is no such thing as perfection. You will commit mistakes, but those will help you to continue growing.
Set realistic goals: Break down your work into achievable steps. By having it, you can celebrate every time you achieve it, and your motivation will stay high throughout the process.
Seek feedback: Instead of guessing whether your work is good enough, ask for feedback from peers or mentors. Constructive criticism helps you grow and reinforces the fact that you're capable of delivering valuable work.
Reflect on past accomplishments: Take time to look back at projects you’ve completed successfully. Look back on all that you know. That will help you to reinforce to yourself that you're capable and that each new challenge is just another opportunity to learn and grow even more.
By keeping these practices in mind, you will be able to overcome the impostor syndrome and be a better engineer in the long run.
Top comments (4)
Lucas, what an inspiring post! So often we, as developers, get caught up in the rush and self-criticism, and we end up underestimating the impact of our work. The message you've shared is a powerful reminder that we need to value what we do and believe in our potential.
This kind of appreciation is something I also aim to promote through the CORE Framework (an agile software development methodology that prioritizes developer well-being while maintaining efficiency). Creating an environment where developers feel motivated and recognized is not just important—it’s essential for successful projects. If you or anyone else is interested in learning more about CORE and how it fosters this balance, feel free to check out my profile and explore more of this journey!
Thanks for the kind words José!
The first rule of Imposter Syndrome Club is...
You're probably not good enough to be in Imposter Syndrome Club ;p