Developer Imposter Syndrome: How to Overcome!
Tags: programming, discuss, motivation
Published: 2022-08-04 20:57:56

Imagine going to school or work and seeing others excel at their job or education and you feel like you are just behind and cannot seem to catch up! You get the feeling that everyone is judging you since you do not really seem to comprehend everything that is handed to you. Trust me, I have been there it is something that is not easy to live with.

In this blog, I plan on helping you get over this syndrome since it is very close to me. First off, what is imposter syndrome you might say, this syndrome is the thought that you are not smart, creative or generally deserving of the success you are experiencing, even though there is plenty of evidence of your achievements.

###What is Imposter Syndrome?

> “Imposter syndrome is the belief that you are not as competent as others perceive you to be,” Isaac Nyakoi, a developer at Libryo Limited.

There are many ways a developer could adapt themselves with impost syndrome. It has been researched that 58% of the tech industry employees, are currently experience some form of this condition. There are many instances when a programmer might feel it, for example, 

- learning a new language or framework
- starting out a new job
- deciding whether to pursue further education
- you start believing that you don't fit in your team or job 

The reason one might start experiencing this condition, is maybe because you feel like you are doing something outside of our comfort zone. The reason why I am writing this blog is because I have noticed that the more material that is taught everyday the more uncomfortable learning becomes but of course, this something that a developer should get used to since everyday is like a rat race since there are new developers with new knowledge about newer frameworks or languages. 

![final image](https://c.tenor.com/Dr3WiL4ncvYAAAAd/imposter-got.gif)

####How to develop skills overcome imposter syndrome 
The effects of Imposter Syndrome are obviously bad for the mental health, sense of self and confidence. Once you start to realize that you might be developing this syndrome, here are some ways to begin overcoming this syndrome.

Luckily, there are ways to avoid or to mitigate imposter syndrome:

1. join a community
2. find mentors
3. always ask questions
4. get used to being uncomfortable
5. keep track of your accomplishments 

#####Join A Community

Working with a community or even a team is an amazing way to learn and improve your skill. Especially, when working on a particular project alone. Reduce the feeling of this syndrome  by becoming an active member of a minority organization. There is a wide variety of them; you will surely find one that fits your needs. 

Try to spend time with people facing similar challenges to your own. Once you discover that you are not in this alone, the feeling of confidence will start rising and you will be feeling way more confident in your workplace or classroom. Also keep in mind, that you can safely explore your weaker skill sets because your peers or community will be there for you.

![mentor Yoda] (https://c.tenor.com/UwbYxIzEPpwAAAAC/teach-you-yoda.gif)
#####Find Mentors
Find a mentor in your profession environment that would give you an outsider perspective on what people really think of you and your work that you have accomplished. A mentor will be able to identify knowledge gaps and suggest certain training and learnings that could help improve decrease that gap. A lot of seniors in their career will always tell you that it is ok to be overwhelmed reading the code of new language or project. But keep in mind, try to look for a mentor that is able to put themselves in your shoes, make you feel calm, comfortable, and relaxed.

##### Ask Question!
People should not be afraid to ask question, from mentors, coworkers, or anyone else. Asking a question, allows you to fill in the gaps of knowledge that is causing your imposter syndrome. Try to seek out for constructive criticism, if one can not give you that answer, go talk to your senior coworkers. 

#####Get Used to Being Uncomfortable
Software Development is a field every nobody knows everything. Mostly, every developer loves to share and talk about technology that they are working on or have explored. Since nobody wants to become a bad developer, everyone tries to learn some sort of technology. Learn that when you see someone who is proficient in their field, it does not mean that they are know everything. I can assure you that, even pro developers in a certain language sometimes end up using StackOverflow. 

You must accept the truth, which is that you can not be a expert in software development or in any field because you will find someone who is better than you, who reads up on every update or learns a language faster than you. So instead, focus on your learning and getting better everyday in the right direction. 
![accomplishment Gif](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/88/40/b8/8840b8d2c07bf805cdab22c0e4b54f59.gif)

#####Keep Track of your Accomplishments
When you enter in programming and keep learning you start realizing how far you’ have come. How you solved your first programming problem, how you cracked some interviews, how you dealt with the most horrifying bug generated at a production level, how you learned new technology or tools when you had to add some feature in the product. How you become expertise in some language and how you took the challenge to solve some complex problems in difficult situations. These things will give you positivity and it will help you to overcome imposter syndrome. 

You can plan a career goal for yourself and decide what you might want to learn every month. Check your past accomplishments, take inspiration from there and feel positive for everything you have achieved. Keep a document where you add praise you receive for the work you’ve done. Also try to celebrate your accomplishments from time to time. 

###Conclusion
To end it off, remember this, sometimes you are not going to have a good day, maybe you will struggle to figure out a problem, and sometimes it might take a while to figure out a solution to a project or problem you are working on. We are all humans after all, nobody is going to expect you to be perfect all the time.