Dealing with Imposter Syndrome

One of the greatest things about Android is the strength and passion of its developer community. But at the same time, this collective strength can also bring out feelings of inadequacy within ourselves. Have you ever thought to yourself: “Everyone at work is so much smarter than me”, or “I don’t belong here, how did I ever get hired?” Whether or not you know it by name, Imposter Syndrome causes us to doubt our abilities and overlook the personal and professional success we’ve already achieved. It can also invoke intense feelings of anxiety, fear and insecurity within ourselves, and is something I have personally struggled with for most of my professional career.

If your fight with Imposter Syndrome has got you feeling like a fraud, don’t worry… you can win! Join us and you’ll learn the ins and outs of Imposter Syndrome and how to tackle it head on - turn the negative thoughts into positive ones, quiet your inner critic, and come out feeling more secure, confident, motivated and energized.

Transcript

1. DEALING WITH IMPOSTER SYNDROME WHY IS EVERYONE ELSE SMARTER THAN ME? Phil Shadlyn
 @physphil
2. IMPOSTER SYNDROME
3. AN INABILITY TO RECOGNIZE YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS, DESPITE EVIDENCE OF SUCCESS AND HIGH ACHIEVEMENT. OFTEN COMBINED WITH A PERSISTENT FEAR OF BEING EXPOSED AS A FRAUD. Lots of people, 2019 IMPOSTER SYNDROME
4. I SUCK AT ANDROID. Me, 2011 - Present IMPOSTER SYNDROME
5. IMPOSTER SYNDROME HOW DOES IT MANIFEST? ▸ Feelings of self-doubt, insecurity ▸ Minimize success, focus on setbacks ▸ Luck, not skill ▸ Fear of being exposed as a fraud
6. IMPOSTER SYNDROME WHAT DOES IT SOUND LIKE? “I should know how to do this.” “Everyone at work is a lot smarter than me.” “That was just luck…” “I can’t ask that question, I’ll look like a fool.” “I’m fooled them into hiring me, I’m a total fraud.”
7. IMPOSTER SYNDROME SOME FACTS ▸ First presented in 1978 ▸ Originally thought to only affect women ▸ Affects ~70% of people*, common in high achievers * International Journal of Behavioral Science 2011, Vol. 6, No.1, 73-92
8. I HAVE WRITTEN 11 BOOKS, BUT EACH TIME I THINK, ‘UH OH, THEY’RE GOING TO FIND OUT NOW. I’VE RUN A GAME ON EVERYBODY, AND THEY’RE GOING TO FIND ME OUT’. Maya Angelou
9. ANOTHER STORY…
10. “I JUST LOOK AT ALL THESE PEOPLE, AND I THINK, WHAT THE HECK AM I DOING HERE? THEY’VE MADE AMAZING THINGS. I JUST WENT WHERE I WAS SENT.” Neil Armstrong
11. MEET PHIL
12. ABOUT ME ▸ Imposter ▸ Self taught developer ▸ ISTJ, Type 6 • Logical, responsible, introverted, anxious ▸ Time traveller
13. GREAT. NOW HOW DO I DEAL WITH IT?
14. RECOGNIZE IT’S IMPOSTER SYNDROME
15. AN INABILITY TO RECOGNIZE YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS, DESPITE EVIDENCE OF SUCCESS AND HIGH ACHIEVEMENT. OFTEN COMBINED WITH A PERSISTENT FEAR OF BEING EXPOSED AS A FRAUD. Lots of people, 2019 HOW DO I DEAL WITH IT? AN INABILITY TO RECOGNIZE YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS, DESPITE EVIDENCE OF SUCCESS AND HIGH ACHIEVEMENT. OFTEN COMBINED WITH A PERSISTENT FEAR OF BEING EXPOSED AS A FRAUD.
16. HOW DO I DEAL WITH IT? RECOGNIZE IT’S IMPOSTER SYNDROME ▸ Learn to recognize the symptoms ▸ Just say “it’s Imposter Syndrome” ▸ Don’t have to solve everything write away
17. REFRAMING NEGATIVE THOUGHTS
18. HOW DO I DEAL WITH IT? REFRAMING NEGATIVE THOUGHTS “I should know how to do this.” - Your head “No one knows everything.” - The truth
19. HOW DO I DEAL WITH IT? REFRAMING NEGATIVE THOUGHTS “Everyone at work is a lot smarter than me.” - Your head “This is a great opportunity to learn from those around me.” - The truth
20. HOW DO I DEAL WITH IT? REFRAMING NEGATIVE THOUGHTS “That was just luck…” - Your head “You successfully achieved a goal.” - The truth
21. HOW DO I DEAL WITH IT? REFRAMING NEGATIVE THOUGHTS “I can’t ask that question, I’ll look like a fool.” - Your head “Everybody asks questions.” - The truth
23. HOW DO I DEAL WITH IT? REFRAMING NEGATIVE THOUGHTS “I’m fooled [company] into hiring me, I’m a total fraud.” - Your head “You were the best candidate.” - The truth
24. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
25. HOW DO I DEAL WITH IT? TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF ▸ Lots of sleep and physical activity! ▸ Prioritize you ▸ Practice self compassion ▸ Meditation
26. SOME PRACTICAL TIPS
27. HOW DO I DEAL WITH IT? SOME PRACTICAL TIPS ▸ Strive to provide value ▸ Know your coworkers ▸ Talk to someone
28. HOW DO I DEAL WITH IT? SOME PRACTICAL TIPS CONTINUED… ▸ Write it down! ▸ Keep a list of achievements ▸ Ask for feedback
29. FINAL THOUGHTS
30. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SOMEONE WHO EXPERIENCES IMPOSTOR SYNDROME AND SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT IS HOW THEY RESPOND TO CHALLENGES. Dr. Valerie Young* FINAL THOUGHTS * https://time.com/5312483/how-to-deal-with-impostor-syndrome/
31. FINAL THOUGHTS WANT MORE INFO? ‣ Thinking Your Way Out of Imposter Syndrome ‣ Fragmented Episode 141 ‣ https://www.google.com/search? q=imposter+syndrome
32. THANKS! Phil Shadlyn
 @physphil