11 ms·

Imposer syndrome alert. First, wait till tomorrow, see if you feel the same way. From experience, you're probably just in a mood bad because of some difficult

Imposer syndrome alert. First, wait till tomorrow, see if you feel the same way. From experience, you're probably just in a mood bad because of some difficult task. If you still feel the same way tomorrow, then my advice will be to just take a more deliberate approach to learning. Nobody holds on to details like "very basic OOP concepts" all the time. If you're in a funk because of an interview screw up, get over it. Interviewing is a job in itself. Take time to prepare (3 months at least) and see if you still feel the same way.

throghawayacct 6y ago
Mayvr. I've felt this on and off for maybe the past year or two alternating with short bouts of motivation
- Klinky 6y ago
  Imposter syndrome is not something that just goes away magically. People often feel it throughout their entire careers. Also right now everyone is under additional stress, so I wouldn't be surprised if this is exacerbated. Also, you may want to get checked for ADD/ADHD if you find you can fixate on things, but have trouble focusing on broader tasks.
- nextos 6y ago
  Be kinder to yourself, and at the same time try to design a plan that motivates you to learn more. Usually, if you have impostor syndrome, a good cure is to learn something that is unique in your environment and makes you feel valuable. Or to build something on your own and see it finished and working.
- trcollinson 6y ago
  > "alternating with short bouts of motivation" I think you might have pinned it here. It may be that you are just fine as a developer but that you have burn out or some other mental health issue honestly. I don't mean that as a negative. I was burned out very badly a few years back and I felt exactly like you describe. It led to anxiety, depression, a lack of motivation, pain... nearly a mental breakdown. I had been on a bit of anxiety medication for a while. I had a near breakdown (some would say a total breakdown). My doctor literally said "You need to go see a therapist. I mean it. You can either go on your own or I am locking you into the trunk of my car and taking you and you won't be let out until you talk to someone." (So, my doctor threatened to kidnap me, and thank goodness!) So I went and talk to a therapist. And talked. And talked so more. For months, then years. It has changed my life for the better. I am a better developer. I work better. I am a better husband and father. I FEEL better. I really can't recommend highly enough that you take a look into your mental health. It will help a lot. So what now? Talk to a professional.
- acoard 6y ago
  You're a couple years into developing and feel like an imposter? Welcome to the club! Literally every programmer I know has been wracked by doubts and existential dread over their skills. I've mentored a lot of interns and I always stress how impostor syndrome is normal, everyone gets it, including everyone above them in their teams. My history is more of the "programming wunderkid", been programming since I was 13 and (like many on this site) find reading HN and programming news relaxing and recreational. I say all of this to highlight the fact that I got impostor syndrome. It was particularly bad the first few years. Once you realize everyone feels this way it's liberating. In fact you can even use impostor syndrome for good; either by motivating your learning or by empathizing with others. I'm constantly learning and growing, which means I still feel like an impostor in these new areas. I'm the Kubernetes expert for multiple startup and government projects, but I still feel like a beginner in out of his depth. The way I see it, you have two options. You push your comfort zone, and get comfortable with being uncomfortable, or you stagnate. You either become a constant learner who always has a niggling impostor syndrome, or your knowledge becomes static. Be like Socrates. "I know that I know nothing."
ffggvv 6y ago
why do we always say it's "imposter syndrome". not everyone can have "imposter syndrome". some people are actually imposters
- ISL 6y ago
  Most are not. If you bet on the capability of most people to be able to reach a reasonable goal, you're likely to be pleasantly surprised.
- bijection 6y ago
  It's a pragmatic thing. Telling an imposter syndrome sufferer that they have imposter syndrome is more productive than telling an imposter they're an imposter. On the internet when you can't be sure which person you're talking to, it's better to give advice that could be helpful if it turns out to apply to the person you're talking to, than to share commentary that wouldn't be too helpful either way.
  - ffggvv 6y ago
    i think it's less pragmatic and more "nice". such as telling people they can be anything they want to be even if they are 5'2 and want to be in the NBA
    - nitrogen 6y ago
      This guy was 5'3" (though, granted, that's the record and a significant outlier): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muggsy_Bogues https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muggsy_Bogues
      - davidkuhta 6y ago
        Definitely made his mark and I can only imagine the feelings of imposter syndrome he had. Fun anecdote for those who aren't familiar: He's one of the players in Space Jam whose playing talent is stolen by the Monstars.
      - hilbertseries 6y ago

throghawayacct 6y ago

Mayvr. I've felt this on and off for maybe the past year or two alternating with short bouts of motivation

Klinky 6y ago
Imposter syndrome is not something that just goes away magically. People often feel it throughout their entire careers. Also right now everyone is under additional stress, so I wouldn't be surprised if this is exacerbated. Also, you may want to get checked for ADD/ADHD if you find you can fixate on things, but have trouble focusing on broader tasks.
nextos 6y ago
Be kinder to yourself, and at the same time try to design a plan that motivates you to learn more. Usually, if you have impostor syndrome, a good cure is to learn something that is unique in your environment and makes you feel valuable. Or to build something on your own and see it finished and working.
trcollinson 6y ago
> "alternating with short bouts of motivation" I think you might have pinned it here. It may be that you are just fine as a developer but that you have burn out or some other mental health issue honestly. I don't mean that as a negative. I was burned out very badly a few years back and I felt exactly like you describe. It led to anxiety, depression, a lack of motivation, pain... nearly a mental breakdown. I had been on a bit of anxiety medication for a while. I had a near breakdown (some would say a total breakdown). My doctor literally said "You need to go see a therapist. I mean it. You can either go on your own or I am locking you into the trunk of my car and taking you and you won't be let out until you talk to someone." (So, my doctor threatened to kidnap me, and thank goodness!) So I went and talk to a therapist. And talked. And talked so more. For months, then years. It has changed my life for the better. I am a better developer. I work better. I am a better husband and father. I FEEL better. I really can't recommend highly enough that you take a look into your mental health. It will help a lot. So what now? Talk to a professional.
acoard 6y ago
You're a couple years into developing and feel like an imposter? Welcome to the club! Literally every programmer I know has been wracked by doubts and existential dread over their skills. I've mentored a lot of interns and I always stress how impostor syndrome is normal, everyone gets it, including everyone above them in their teams. My history is more of the "programming wunderkid", been programming since I was 13 and (like many on this site) find reading HN and programming news relaxing and recreational. I say all of this to highlight the fact that I got impostor syndrome. It was particularly bad the first few years. Once you realize everyone feels this way it's liberating. In fact you can even use impostor syndrome for good; either by motivating your learning or by empathizing with others. I'm constantly learning and growing, which means I still feel like an impostor in these new areas. I'm the Kubernetes expert for multiple startup and government projects, but I still feel like a beginner in out of his depth. The way I see it, you have two options. You push your comfort zone, and get comfortable with being uncomfortable, or you stagnate. You either become a constant learner who always has a niggling impostor syndrome, or your knowledge becomes static. Be like Socrates. "I know that I know nothing."

ffggvv 6y ago

why do we always say it's "imposter syndrome". not everyone can have "imposter syndrome". some people are actually imposters

ISL 6y ago
Most are not. If you bet on the capability of most people to be able to reach a reasonable goal, you're likely to be pleasantly surprised.
bijection 6y ago
It's a pragmatic thing. Telling an imposter syndrome sufferer that they have imposter syndrome is more productive than telling an imposter they're an imposter. On the internet when you can't be sure which person you're talking to, it's better to give advice that could be helpful if it turns out to apply to the person you're talking to, than to share commentary that wouldn't be too helpful either way.
- ffggvv 6y ago
  i think it's less pragmatic and more "nice". such as telling people they can be anything they want to be even if they are 5'2 and want to be in the NBA
  - nitrogen 6y ago
    This guy was 5'3" (though, granted, that's the record and a significant outlier): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muggsy_Bogues https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muggsy_Bogues
    - davidkuhta 6y ago
      Definitely made his mark and I can only imagine the feelings of imposter syndrome he had. Fun anecdote for those who aren't familiar: He's one of the players in Space Jam whose playing talent is stolen by the Monstars.
    - hilbertseries 6y ago