Pure indefatigable arrogance usually serves me very well.
Ask HN: What ways have worked for you to overcome 'imposter syndrome'?
91–100 of 159 posts
Re: Ask HN: What ways have worked for you to overcome 'imposter syndrome'?
#92I would say it never goes away. I have built companies, angel invested, ran M&A. Still, I always think I am clueless. I am starting to view it more as a power. "You cannot learn what you already think you know". Having imposter's syndrome means I always will fight harder to get better.
This makes me feel a lot better. I have a fear of being 'called out' one day by people who are 'experts'. I like to always remind myself 'in the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, in the expert's mind there are few'.
What is the difference between a novice and an expert?
The novice thinks twice before doing something stupid
Re: Ask HN: What ways have worked for you to overcome 'imposter syndrome'?
#93Drinking
Re: Ask HN: What ways have worked for you to overcome 'imposter syndrome'?
#94I like to publicly discuss my shortcomings. I try not to do it too much because I don't want everybody I work with to think I'm an idiot. Sometimes I use self deprecating humor. Sometimes I just act brave enough to ask stupid questions in a public forum. And sometimes I try to discuss the difficulties I'm having with technical issues also in a public forum. Generally people are really nice and want to help.
Also, I refuse to believe the hype about almost anyone that people believe to be great programmers. There's usually a facade and glaring holes in their knowledge.
When stuff is difficult to do technically for me, I like to complain about it. It makes me feel better and forms comraderie with my colleagues. If it's hard for me, it's probably hard for everybody. And if not then there's some sort of trick that they know and I don't. An example of this is when the c++ compiler gives pages of indecipherable output for using the wrong type in a template argument.
Re: Ask HN: What ways have worked for you to overcome 'imposter syndrome'?
#95Ship things. And remember that a huge percentage of the people in this world couldn't or wouldn't do what you just did. Feel good. Repeat.
Re: Ask HN: What ways have worked for you to overcome 'imposter syndrome'?
#96You shouldn't, use it as a motivating tool. That "carrot" is always one step away from you so you need to keep moving.
Re: Ask HN: What ways have worked for you to overcome 'imposter syndrome'?
#97My personal opinion, like some of the others, is diversify out of tech. You can still work in tech, of course, and I suggest to stop putting all your hopes/desires/fears into the "tech" basket. Try investing in a non-tech project/venture like: woodworking, dancing, public speaking, rock climbing, organizing, run for office, volunteer, teach, coach sports, throw dinner parties, learn a spoken language, learn to draw,…
This has the added benefit that when you talk to normal people you will realize you really know a lot about tech compared to everyone else.
Re: Ask HN: What ways have worked for you to overcome 'imposter syndrome'?
#98I would say it never goes away. I have built companies, angel invested, ran M&A. Still, I always think I am clueless. I am starting to view it more as a power. "You cannot learn what you already think you know". Having imposter's syndrome means I always will fight harder to get better.
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Re: Ask HN: What ways have worked for you to overcome 'imposter syndrome'?
#99I specialized on one narrow technology that's new and in high demand.
Re: Ask HN: What ways have worked for you to overcome 'imposter syndrome'?
#100I don't think I have a solution if the setting is as broad as "technology" or even the narrower "careerist technology". I do have a solution if one is experiencing "imposter syndrome" in a particular domain: have a mentor. The mentor will help you measure the extent of your knowledge. If the mentor says, "That looks/sounds good to me," then you cast the research into the big scary world and sit with those "imposter"…
Also: Be a mentor to somebody else. Nothing gets rid of impostor syndrome like, "Hey -- I can help you with that!"