Learning with Syafwan: Embracing Impostor Syndrome

Let me start with the definition, ChatGPT explained that:

"Impostor syndrome is something many of us have encountered — whether through personal experience or hearing others share their struggles.

By definition, it refers to a psychological pattern where individuals doubt their accomplishments. They often harbor a persistent, internalized fear of being exposed as a "fraud." Even in the face of evidence proving their competence, those experiencing this syndrome often feel they are not as intelligent, capable, or talented as they are perceived to be."

So, let me give a disclaimer here:

I don't intend to redefine the concept of impostor syndrome, as I'm not an expert in this field. Instead, I'd like to share my perspective and how I manage this syndrome.

Compromise The Impostor Syndrome

When impostor syndrome strikes, it can feel paralyzing for us. The voices of self-doubt are often so loud and relentless that they bring us down to the bottom. As a Product Manager, I often experience these feelings during my activities, such as presenting to stakeholders or leadership, comparing myself to other PMs, receiving criticism or negative feedback, and more.

Over time, I've realized that fighting these feelings outright only deepens their grip and makes me feel more down. Instead of waging a constant battle, I've learned to compromise with my impostor syndrome. What does this mean? For me, it's about acknowledging its presence without letting it affect me too much. I've stopped seeing the impostor syndrome as the enemy and started understanding it as part of my inner alert.

It Is An Alert

For me, impostor syndrome now acts as a warning system. It's an alert, signaling that there's room to grow, learn, and improve. When I feel the impostor syndrome striking me, I always try to calm my self and say: "Okay, relax. What things do I need to learn to overcome this??"

Reframing like this has turned what once felt like a paralyzing force into a motivator. The fear of being struck with the syndrome no longer stops me, instead, it pushes me to better myself. It encourages me to hone my skills and seek feedback from friends or mentors.

Manage, Don't Avoid

Avoidance is a normal response to any discomfort feeling, including impostor syndrome. However, I've found that avoidance would only delay the discomfort feeling temporarily. Instead, I've chosen to manage this feeling consciously.

One small habit I've developed to manage impostor syndrome is taking notes about its context whenever it arises. Later, during my free time, I usually revisit these notes and explore related articles, books, or podcasts. This habit helps me address the syndrome and gain insights for my growth.

Move Forward

I won't claim that I have overcome impostor syndrome, as it is no longer my objective. Perhaps it will always serve as an alarm for me. What I've learned is that it doesn't have to be a barrier; instead, I can use it as a tool to grow and move forward.