How Do You Overcome Imposter Syndrome?

"**There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure".-Paulo Coelho



I am weeks away from completing phase 1 of Software Engineering Bootcamp at Flatiron School and I never heard of the term Imposter Syndrome before until now and kid you not, I am feeling all the symptoms.

What is Imposter Syndrome? According to google, Imposter syndrome is loosely defined as doubting your abilities and feeling like a fraud. It disproportionately affects high-achieving people, who find it difficult to accept their accomplishments. Many questions whether they're deserving of accolades.

I am used to getting praised at my current job for performing highly on my tasks, which include creating new materials for over 3000 projects and delivering them on time and efficiently.

Now, just a month into Bootcamp, I am already feeling like giving up at times. It is so easy to feel down and self-doubt yourself instead of keeping your energy and motivation high.

So How Do You Combat Imposter Syndrome? I found this article online https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/impostor-syndrome-tips which I have found to be very useful and have started using it as a guide.

• Know The Signs.

This is the first step and you must accept that it is not going to be an easy journey but know that the end result will be very rewarding. In coding, failing will be your second-best tool, aside from Google. When I start feeling that I don't belong or am not enough, I take breaks and reflect on some of the hardest obstacles I went through in my life and what I did to surpass them and come back up winning.

• Know You're Not Alone.

-My favorite Software Engineer YouTubers that I look up to every time I am not feeling the mood to study. You should subscribe to them if you like their content:

livie the developer //

BABE ENGINEER

When Livie said in one of her video **"Yes! your feelings are extremely valid and coding is something difficult to do. I went through the same thing, but if I did it and be the first to get a job offer...so can you."** I know I needed to hear that one and have been a follower since. So, find a community with similar interests for support or join a group like https://dev.to/. There's a ton of valuable information on here for beginners that you may want to check out.

• Distinguish Humility And Fear.

Humility is a sign of Strength. Accepting Fear is part of being alive. To gain confidence in coding, especially for newbies, you have to lay out a plan and identify your learning style. Also, stop comparing yourself to others. You have to stay consistent and dedicate a few hours a day to code. It can be challenging to adjust to not learning everything at once so be patient. Remember programming is hard.

• Let Go Of Your Inner Perfectionist.

Get comfortable with getting uncomfortable. It is impossible to know everything about programming. Not everyone knows every programming language. Programming is an ever-evolving discipline that made it even more difficult even for developers that have been in the industry for years. If you have the zest, desire, and passion then you are set for success.

• Be Kind To Yourself.

Take time to get enough rest and exercise. Spend quality time with your family when you can. I always remind myself from time to time, of my purpose. Sacrificing time, juggling between being a student, managing a full-time job, and maintaining a household. I dreamt of a better life. Likewise, I wanted to be an inspiration to others, most especially women in the same situation as me and that keeps me going because I know I have so much to offer and pure intentions.

• Track Your Success.

Learning to code can be a really difficult process, so when you accomplish something, even if it's small, celebrate it! I was beyond ecstatic when I made my very first task-lister even though it took me hours to complete them. I then pour myself a glass of wine. Cheers!

• Talk With Your Mentor.

I am so blessed to have a very kind and supportive cohort. I was able to communicate my emotions without the fear of being judged. It's so important to connect well with your mentor. My advice is to be open and don't be scared to ask. Even if you think it's a dumb question.

• Say Yes To Opportunities.

When the opportunity comes I would gladly accept it with open arms. When I just barely started working at my current job. I have no knowledge of the SAP systems and I was not an expert in Microsoft Excel but less than a year later I am now one of the best on our Team that's because I was willing to learn and I worked my hardest to be better.

And Lastly...

• Embrace The Feeling.

Don't let 'Imposter Syndrome' affect you and stop you from your goal to be one day a successful Software Engineer.