How to deal with imposter syndrome
“What is wrong with my understanding?,” “Is this the right way?,” “Oh, but I just got lucky,” “Maybe I should not be here.” Up to a couple of weeks I found myself dealing with what is known as imposter syndrome on my web development studies. Imposter syndrome is the phenomenon in which one tends to undervalue achievements and focus on the imperfections, which tend to lead to the feeling that one is a fraud. Since the very start of my course I was warned about it. Although I did not pay too much attention to the warning sign at first, I realized in just a few weeks it was something I was starting to develop.
Because I realized this could become a problem for me on the long term, I have developed a few ways to manage it which I have found quite helpful as of late during my studies. For the disclaimer, what I am about to share are purely approaches based solely on my personal beliefs and experiences. I am no way a mental health expert nor do I intend for this post to be used as a guidance for anyone or a universal source of truth. With that out of the way, let’s get started.
1. Look at the big picture
When I shared my experience with a friend of mine not too long ago, she told me it is something that is so frequent even she has experienced. In her case, she used to feel like a fraud in her college classes whenever she realized other classmates would struggle with concepts while at the same time she could not relate to that feeling. Her advice to me was to make sure to “look at the bigger picture.” Every time she may be feeling like the impostor in classes, she becomes aware she is not the only person learning new topics in the world and that the learning experiences are not the same for everyone. I like this approach because it gives me a sense of reality. When looking at the big picture, I realize I am not the only person in the world trying to learn new concepts and techniques. Perhaps I am struggling with a basic concept while at the same time somebody else may be struggling with a concept I could grasp quickly. With that in mind, I know I am not the only one learning.
2. Know thyself
More than one person may have heard this at least once in their lifetime. Regardless of how this phrase sounds like a cliché, it has passed the test of time. Perhaps the reason is because of how true it is. For me, a good way to ease the effects of impostor syndrome is to realize my past achievements just like I would usually do my current flaws. With this approach I make sure to have an accurate diagnosis of my current situation and not feel as guilty of being a fraud as I used to. With this approach in mind, I realize I am in the way of improving and making things better than before.
3. Be willing to improve my flaws
This is self-explanatory. Once I have recognized there is something I do not know or that I am having difficulty to understand, rather than focusing on just that deficiency, I will try to find ways to improve it. First by doing my own research. If that does not work or is taking too long, then I will put aside my ego and ask questions whenever I feel there is something crucial that I feel I need to know. With this last way of asking questions, not only I learn a little quicker, but I also develop a sense of integrity, because the first times I got my questions answered by someone who was willing to help me, I realized it is my duty to do the same for others that may not know something I do.
