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Comment by dansingerman | Hacker News Reader

Are you aware of imposter syndrome? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impostor_syndrome

You may not be up to your job, but probably more likely it's that.

Being aware of it does nothing to remove the certainty that at some point the people you work with are going to turn around and tell you to go home and never come back. Just as soon as they realise you're worthless.

The most interesting thing I've seen written was on here, pointing out a problem in the logic. "If they haven't noticed you're as stupid as you think you are, they themselves must be even stupider. Therefore imposter syndrome at some point requires that your colleagues are morons, yet if you believed that you probably wouldn't feel as inadequate."

Alas my brain still believes.

Especially as I went from "on my own" to working with a team of f*cking brilliant people, I had some serious self-doubts. We instituted a review system that includes anonymous peer reviews, and it was insightful to see what others felt I was both good at and upon what I needed to improve. Seeing what others value in me helps me realize that, while I have so much to learn, I am providing value not only to my employer but also my team.

> "If they haven't noticed you're as stupid as you think you are, they themselves must be even stupider."

Ah, the old "I'm not ok, you're not ok" section of the OK Corral[1].

[1] http://changingminds.org/explanations/behaviors/ok_not-ok.ht...

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