So, it has been a while since I last focused on self-improvement and building confidence. Despite coding for almost two years, I still struggle with imposter syndrome - that deep feeling of not being good enough. Now, what am I missing out on? I have watched countless videos and attempted to start numerous projects, but I have failed to complete them. During my seven-month internship, I used ChatGPT for most of my tasks, which is not that bad I guess. While some things worked, others did not, and I know I did not put in my best effort. Nevertheless, I am grateful for the opportunity and will always be. Did that job help me? Yes, to some extent, but I was always fearful of new tasks and not fully committed to the job. In short, what should I do now? Currently, I lack motivation to learn something new, but I hate this version of myself. I believe I have been approaching things the wrong way. So, here is a roadmap to start fresh and learn everything from scratch.
First, I need to address the fact that my foundation is not strong enough. I will start by focusing on the basics and learning data structures and algorithms. How will I do that? Simple, by watching YouTube, but not excessively. I will primarily follow three to five channels.
I will also review my skills in vanilla JavaScript and create new projects using only JavaScript. Additionally, I will learn DSA (Data Structures and Algorithms) with JavaScript.
I will make an effort to improve my communication and writing skills.
I must start solving problems on LeetCode and HackerRank as soon as possible.
I will try to be more active on LinkedIn.
Once I am comfortable with DSA, I will build new projects to enhance my frontend skills. I will dedicate my focus to frontend development, as I am more comfortable with it and have experience with React from my internship.
I will also create a new portfolio, possibly using Next.js/React.
I will invest in courses and books when I am financially stable.
Now that I have identified what I need to do to improve myself, the list above will serve as my personal roadmap. However, most importantly, it would be great if I could become more disciplined. After wasting so much time, I have come to realize that consistency is the key to becoming a better software developer. It can be achieved through having a job or coding and learning almost every day. There is simply no other way. So, my suggestion to myself is to prioritize consistency and discipline.
Happy Coding.
Top comments (60)
I've been developing web-based software for over 26 years and I can tell you that the impostor syndrome doesn't go away. Writing this road map and having a plan for your continued development is a great way to handle it. I wish I'd done something similar years ago.
Getting a comment from an experienced person like you makes me realize that no matter how hard I try, I will still face that problem. But what I can do is survive. I think no one is good enough, and neither do they need to be. As a fresher, I suffer a lot, and I do not get enough courage to apply to jobs. I think you have figured out the path, but I have a long way to go. There is no other option but to do what I need to do. Thanks to your comment, it motivated me to some extent, and I might have planned something good for myself.
Great roadmap @mrinmoy09 !
Now, the upcoming challenge lies in execution. How do you plan to ensure consistency and follow through on your outlined goals? While planning is straightforward, the execution process can pose challenges. My advice, as a fellow developer, is to acknowledge that deviations from the plan may occur. Don't let this intimidate you or erode your self-trust. Stay flexible, maintain a growth mindset, and embrace the learning experience amidst doubts and challenges.
Also, here are some things that could help with the execution:
That was a very informative comment with some great advices. I am also working on writing a article about how to make sure that my plan work out and I wll surely keep your suggestions on my mind. Hackathon was not very much the thing that I am familiar with and I am always afraid of competitions(you know why) but I think I am going to give it a try. Again thank you so much for such a amazing comment.
Absolutely! And speaking of growth, having a mentor has been incredibly valuable for me. During my past internships, my technical mentors helped me navigate complex projects and hone my skills, which directly influenced my performance and confidence. Even my non-technical personal mentor has offered invaluable guidance on communication, leadership, and career management. It's amazing how a mentor's perspective can benefit all aspects of your professional journey.
If you haven't already, I highly encourage you to explore mentorship opportunities as well. The right mentor can make a world of difference!
Where would you recommend one look for mentorship opportunities?
You want help with your foundational skills, you should read and work through the new JavaScript edition of structure and interpretation of computer programs. It's one of the best computer programming textbooks of all time.
Imposter syndrome is a thing that even the most senior of devs have to deal with. I've been in the industry for almost 25 years and sometimes I feel that way. The way I break out of it is by inflating my own ego. It's a kind of balance, because you have to still be aware of your own shortcomings but not so aware of them as to believe that you do not belong in the job.
I honestly believe that imposter syndrome comes from the Dunning Krueger effect. Basically, the more you know about something, the more you can appreciate all of the work and effort that goes into that subject. Because computer science is such a big topic, it's very hard to ignore all of the things that you do not know and while it might seem like your co-workers are effortlessly able to shift from one domain to another, they have to go through the same things you do. It's very easy to think that your co-workers or managers don't do as much research as you do, but that is rarely the case.
Thanks for your reply. It's reassuring to know that not only I, but experienced individuals like yourself, still grapple with imposter syndrome. I've already taken a look at the book you suggested, and I believe it will be a great help for me. Again, thanks. Comments from people like you make me more motivated.
I can recommend the learning approach of learning by doing, specifically building projects using technologies you wish to master.
By having a goal to aim at, the finished product, you reduce the "unknown unknowns" and can follow a predefined path to the target.
I.e., set a goal to make a To-do app with TypeScript and React. Immediately, you will learn about React components, the concepts of props and state, the DOM, and maybe some SCSS...
Do that with enough small, achievable projects, and you'll reach your goals!
Thanks for your advice. I will keep that on my mind. And yes It's true that building projects is one of the best way to learn. But I am considering myself as a beginner now. So I think I will revise the whole javascript concept once again and then I will start building projects with React and Typescript.
facing same problem from last 6 months. I have joined in a company a year ago and now I'm feeling not worthy anymore. I have started leetcode, git repos, DSA and gym for descipline. None of them worked out. I stopped everything within 3 days due to several silly reasons. This 2024, I want to make a better version of me. This time, I'll not repeat any mistakes that I did before.
You, I, and almost everyone face the same problems, I believe. We are not alone in this game. But at least, I do not want you to lose hope. Keep trying. All the best to you. I hope 2024 is going to be the year for you as well as for me. Also, you are on the right track as you have already started LeetCode and DSA. I think all you need is to have some patience.
Hi
I got only 3 years, but one of the things that made me really good is to start read the docs, I do like one subject a day (take 15 mins). Let's say you are developing in react, just start reading the docs from the start, one subject a day, I think it changes the thinking about the framework. it makes everything more whole.
reading code is another thing that's really helping, that's an advise I got from 20+ years dev.
I also believe that reading docs and code is a good way to improve. I will surely try to do that regularly. Thanks for pointing this out. I will add this on my list too.
Need an accountability partner?
Think I'll follow your roadmap this time round
am ready when you are
i all so need one
twitter.com/icodejsx
please reach out to me on twitter
I think you should make a better roadmap for yourself. What you can do with this roadmap is that you can just take it as an example. That would be my suggestion for you.
will follow this for upcoming year
Good to know that.
Many times, I find myself facing challenges in my learning journey. As I acquire more knowledge, I become aware of the multitude of topics to grasp. This realization diminishes my confidence in this dynamic field, making me doubt my ability to reach an advanced level. Despite having spent five years in this field, balancing studies and work, I've recently acknowledged that I'm not alone in experiencing imposter syndrome.
Upon reading your post, I'm genuinely grateful for the insightful roadmap you provided. I plan to follow it diligently and make necessary adjustments based on my goals. Thank you for sharing this valuable guidance. Keep up the great work!
So basically, that was my personal roadmap. When I wrote that, I didn't even think about posting it here. But now I can see how much it helped me and am glad to know that my roadmap is helping others as well. I now understand how people feel about imposter syndrome and how they want to share their feelings with others. There are several YouTube videos, but none of them actually helped me this much. I now feel like there are some people like me on this journey who are trying so hard to get out of this phase. And that gives me motivation to do my work because we all have our individual journey, but the struggle we are facing is the same.
Thanks for your comment.
Your honesty is admirable, and your roadmap is well-thought-out! Recognizing the need for a solid foundation and focusing on basics, DSA, and consistent coding is a great approach. Remember, it's okay to face challenges, and betflix growth takes time. Wishing you the best on your journey to becoming a better software developer.
Thanks for your valuable opinion.
Most of the developers/learners have the same feeling, and it's always happening when you learn more (learning more = knowing that there are a lot of things you miss) which is normal.
The only advice I would give is just to keep learning, and keep practicing because it's a journey of learning, working, and developing.
this is exactly what am going through now but i still have my intern role but i need to be more discipline to learn and improve and also always afraid of what the new task will be..
wrote what topics i need to learn daily about javascript and type script but i havet even started learning on since this year..
omo please i need help and i was wondering if you can be my accountability partner since we are facing exactly same problem in your career
the only kind of help you need right now is to stop thinking about anything else and start focusing on what you have to do. I think, there is no other way.
Best of luck to you.
Yeah I think you are right. So there are things that I will prioritised more. Like first of all my main focus on improving my basic and DSA.
Constant fear of impostor syndrome will always stay no matter the years of experience. Learning new things every day and understanding the core concepts is one way to overcome this fear.
Yes consistency does matter to improve in anything.
Once, I read this article I didn't feel alone. I have been years of stuck on consistency and discipline. Finger crossed by following advises like you one day I will become more confident in we dev. Thanks for sharing this article
Yeah, I used to know that almost everyone had to face imposter syndrome, but what I didn't know is that people are that open about it. I think most people settle down once they get a job. However, after writing this article and receiving this much response, it motivated me in a way that none of the YouTube videos have ever done.
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