Dealing with Imposter Syndrome & Burnout
Tags: career, mentalhealth, mentoring
Published: 2019-12-20 10:26:50

# Introduction
Imposter Syndrome & Burnout is one of the few things that we will encounter while we are in our developer career. 

For me, I always assume the **worst** and afraid that I will be called out as a **fraud**. 

Whenever I take on something that **scares** the **hell out** of me with my fair share of crazy ideas and stunts I pull:

* **Getting my Degree and not able to cope with the academic rigour** - Feeling of helpless & useless in my studies while hating every single second of my time spent there. 

* **Running a Full Marathon without preparation** - I was afraid I would die from that experience due to the news about death cases after they had run a full marathon.

* **Building a learning circle on Data Science** - Knowing nothing about both **community-building** or **academic knowledge** about **Data science** besides algorithm classes.

I'm pretty sure you had some of your own after beginning working as a developer. 

So I hope it could help you to overcome through the sharing of mentors in the JuniorDev SG mentoring programme.
 
# Imposter Syndrome
As this was in a panel discussion during the JuniorDev SG mentoring program.

I will be consolidating it and documenting it down without their names as I don't know how to spell their names beside pronouncing it or remembering their faces. 

Yes, I know I will improve my notetaking skills next time.

I believe it is still valuable for any developer that is encountering imposter syndrome to know that you are not alone.

## Being in the Deep End
* I was given a **lead developer** position and was required to **lead** a developer team of **11**. I was even tasked to impart my knowledge & experience in **developer** & **agile practices** within the organisation.

* I was appointed the **CTO** in a **cybersecurity** startup & I know nothing about security.  If there were any **security incidents** on my watch, my company's reputation **decreases** because of **me**. 

* I feel I was **out of my depth** as a **first-time entrepreneur** during a networking session for the tech incubator I'm in.  I was surrounded by a group of people. With an **impressive** background from those who had graduated from **Harvard** to **accomplished researchers** in their field.

## Digging Yourself Out of It
So here is their word of advice after having been through the experience of as an imposter.

* **Let it go** by not having pride or ego on the line when you know you are out of your depth and ask for help.

* Don't take yourself **seriously** but treat yourself that you are a **clown** that you will trip and fumble while learning the rope to do it well.

* Look on your past **success** and don't **discredit** about yourself as you are chosen by people because they **believe in you** that you can do it.

* Find your **depth** & continue to **learn** what you don't know.

* Comparing yourself what you had accomplished **today** than **yesterday** instead of **comparing** it with **others**. 

* Enhance your **capability consistently** and **acknowledge** that there are **good** times and **bad** in your capability

# Burnout
**Brecht** a Senior Developer from **Red Airship** shares with us the symptoms & remedies on **Burnout**.

I feel that by knowing & finding ways to reduce these stress can help you in your relationships & mental wellbeing.  

## Symptoms
* Loss of Something
* Not able to find sense in day to day progress
* Powerlessness
* Repetitive process-driven activities
* Lack of healthy humane relationships
* Feeling uselessness
* Lack of recognition 
* Perpetually in a negative situation

## Possible Remedies
* Spending time in nature
* Exercising
* Doing activities with your hands
* Learn something new
* Unplug and talk to real people
* Doing nothing
* Travel somewhere new
* Putting yourself in positive situations

# Conclusion
I hope this was article useful for you to help you deal with the issues of being **burn out** or **imposter syndrome**.

This serves to help in documenting the final session of the JuniorDev SG mentoring program for our first batch.

We the organisers are considering having another round next year. I would announce it once it has been confirmed on the actual dates.

Lastly, Please do seek through [counselling services][1]  if you are unable to cope with it on an individual level.

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The original post was on [Dealing with Imposter Syndrome & Burnout - Reading Time: 3 Mins](https://www.maxongzb.com/plotting-your-developer-path-reading-time-3-mins/) and cover image by [Photo by Deniz Altindas on Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/photos/t1XLQvDqt_4)

# Reference
* [JuniorDev SG Mentoring Programme - Batch 1][2]
* [Burnout][3]
* [Counselling services][1]


[1]: https://blog.moneysmart.sg/healthcare/counselling-singapore-free-affordable/#free-counselling-singapore
[2]: https://github.com/JuniorDevSingapore/mentoring-program/tree/master/batch1
[3]: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1FlIQAhOsj_tPTzGdSN4kCzV4UMtSsTxxJ7YFYkqeoqA/edit?usp=sharing