My Strategies for Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Matthew is a Formation Fellow currently going through our program. He sat down with us to talk about his journey from working in a kitchen to learning alongside some of the best software engineers in the world. 

Imposter syndrome is something I’ve struggled with throughout my journey from working in kitchens to pursuing a career in software engineering. It’s that persistent feeling that I’m not good enough, that I don’t really belong, or that I’m just “faking it” while everyone else has the real skills and knowledge. Even after achieving some success, like landing an interview with Google, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was out of my depth.

When I first joined Formation, I was surrounded by professionals who had been in the tech field for years. As someone transitioning from a completely different career, I often found myself questioning my abilities and whether I truly belonged in the program. I’d think, “Do I really deserve to be here, or am I just fooling myself?” These thoughts made it hard to participate fully in group sessions because I was afraid of being exposed as less knowledgeable than my peers. There were moments when I wondered if I’d made the right choice in changing careers at all.

The pressure to keep up with others led to a lot of frustration and even some emotional breakdowns. I remember one particularly tough time when I didn’t get a job after an interview and just broke down, overwhelmed by feelings of failure. It was during these low points that I reached out to mentors and peers, who helped me regain my confidence and stay determined to keep moving forward.

Here are four strategies that I’ve used to help me center my thoughts and rise above imposter syndrome.

1. Stop the negative thoughts in their tracks

The first step in overcoming imposter syndrome for me was recognizing and acknowledging the negative self-talk that often came with it. These thoughts would sneak up on me, convincing me that I wasn’t good enough or that my achievements didn’t really count.

I had to learn to catch these thoughts as they came up and challenge them. It’s a process of recognizing, reframing, and showing compassion to yourself. 

Here’s how I’ve done it:

Recognize Negative Self-Talk: I started by paying attention to the inner dialogue that popped up whenever I felt doubtful or anxious. Was I telling myself that I wasn’t smart enough or that my success was just luck? Identifying these thoughts was crucial because you can’t change what you don’t acknowledge.

Reframe Negative Thoughts: Once I recognized the negative self-talk, the next step was to reframe those thoughts into more positive and realistic ones. For example, instead of thinking, “I don’t belong here because I don’t have as much experience,” I began to think, “I’m here to learn and grow, and I’ve already made significant progress.” This doesn’t mean ignoring areas where I could improve, but it does mean giving myself credit for my achievements and potential.

Practice Self-Compassion: I learned to treat myself with the same kindness I would offer a friend. If a friend came to me with feelings of self-doubt, I’d reassure them and remind them of their strengths. I had to learn to do the same for myself. When I caught myself being overly critical, I paused and asked how I would respond if someone I cared about was feeling the same way. Practicing self-compassion helped soften the harshness of imposter syndrome and made it easier to move forward.

2. Focus on learning and growth

Another strategy that helped me combat imposter syndrome is shifting my focus from perfection to progress. A growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed with effort, learning, and persistence. Instead of thinking, “I’m not good enough,” I began to think, “I’m capable of learning and improving.” This shift in perspective allowed me to embrace challenges and view mistakes as part of the learning process rather than as evidence of inadequacy.

Breaking down larger tasks or goals into smaller, manageable steps helped reduce feelings of overwhelm and made progress more visible. When I achieved these smaller goals, it built confidence and reinforced the idea that I was capable and competent. For example, when working on a complex project, I’d focus on completing one section at a time rather than worrying about the entire project at once. This approach helped me see my progress and reduced the pressure to be perfect right from the start.

I also started to celebrate small wins. It’s easy to overlook accomplishments, especially when you’re focused on what still needs to be done. A big part of overcoming imposter syndrome for me was learning to celebrate small wins. Instead of focusing on how much I still had to learn, I began to take pride in the progress I made each day, no matter how small. This shift in mindset helped me build confidence over time. I just reward myself for each little step. It’s hard sometimes to find good progress, but you get better with time.

3. Find friends and mentors

Overcoming imposter syndrome isn’t something I had to do alone. One of the most effective ways I found to combat imposter syndrome was to openly discuss my feelings with trusted friends, colleagues, or mentors. Sharing my experiences helped me realize that I wasn’t alone and that many others had felt the same way.

Being part of a community where people share similar experiences helped normalize imposter syndrome and reduced feelings of isolation. Whether it was a professional group, an online forum, or a peer support network, connecting with others who were going through the same struggles provided comfort and practical advice. It’s always rewarding to know you’re not alone.

4. Embrace failure as a learning opportunity

Instead of seeing failure as a sign that I wasn’t good enough, I began to view it as a natural part of the learning process. I learned that failure wasn’t something to be afraid of—it was something to learn from. 

Failing makes you better. 

Every setback or mistake is an opportunity to improve. Instead of dwelling on what went wrong, I thought about what I could learn from the experience and how I could apply that knowledge moving forward. Even when things didn’t go as planned, there was always something to gain. I’m okay with failing in front of people now. 

Building resilience means developing the ability to bounce back from setbacks stronger and more determined. My journey was filled with challenges, but my resilience kept me moving forward. I’ve learned to stay focused on my own journey and not get discouraged by comparisons or temporary failures. 

Don’t look at where you’re trying to go but look at where you are. Stay focused on what you’re doing, and don’t let setbacks define you.

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If you’re having trouble navigating your job search on your own, apply here and get unconditional support from a team of engineering mentors, technical recruiters, career coaches, and more.