23 May 2023 · Culture

    The Developer’s Dilemma: How to Avoid the Comparison Trap and Build a Fulfilling Career

    8 min read
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    Imagine being a college student with big dreams and even bigger goals. That was me. I was determined to achieve great things and worked tirelessly to make it happen. I landed incredible internships, contributed to major open-source projects, spoke at international conferences, and got the opportunity to be part of many technical communities. It all looked impressive on paper, but deep down, I never felt like I deserved any of it.

    Imposter syndrome had taken hold of me, convincing me that I was a fraud and that my accomplishments were all due to luck. It was a constant battle between my achievements and my own self-doubt. I questioned whether I was as smart or talented as people thought I was, and whether I really belonged in the positions I had worked so hard to attain.

    But then, I learned I wasn’t alone in feeling this way. Many people struggle with imposter syndrome, despite their accomplishments. Recognizing that it was a common experience helped me to reframe my thinking and be kinder to myself. I started to celebrate my achievements and to trust in my own abilities. It’s not always easy, but working through imposter syndrome has been a journey of self-discovery and growth. Now, instead of always doubting and being hesitant, I feel empowered and confident. And that’s a feeling that I wouldn’t trade for anything.

    Understanding the Comparison Trap

    Image Credits : ccl.org

    If you’re someone who works in the tech industry, you’ve likely experienced the pressure of keeping up with the latest trends, technologies, and skills. You might have felt that you are not progressing fast enough or your skills aren’t on par with others in your field. It’s all too easy to get caught up in comparing ourselves to others, which can be a major hindrance to our own progress and success. But don’t worry, in this blog post, we will explore some strategies for breaking the cycle of comparison and finding fulfillment in your own unique path within the tech world. So, if you’re ready to stop playing the comparison game and start focusing on your own growth and development, read on!

    When we constantly compare ourselves to others, we tend to focus on what we lack instead of what we have accomplished. This dangerous mindset can create a toxic work environment and damage relationships with our co-workers and overall well-being. Last but not least, constantly comparing ourselves to others can lead to burnout. If we always strive to be the best and meet unrealistic expectations, we can quickly become overwhelmed and exhausted. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

    If I have to be completely honest, I don’t think I ever want to completely let go of Imposter Syndrome. Feeling a sense of humility, intimidation, and even a little bit of fear can be healthy and keep me pushing toward success without getting too comfortable. But at the same time, the comparison trap can be a significant roadblock, causing feelings of depression and a lack of drive. Fortunately, I’ve learned some practical tactics to cope with these emotions and prevent them from spiraling out of control.

    Practical tips for overcoming the Comparison Trap

    1. Celebrate your little accomplishments

    Remember that celebrating your little accomplishments is not just about patting yourself on the back. It’s about recognizing the effort and hard work that went into achieving them. It’s about acknowledging the progress you’ve made and the obstacles you’ve overcome. It’s about taking a moment to appreciate yourself and your journey.

    By celebrating your little accomplishments, you’ll also build a positive and resilient mindset that will help you overcome challenges in the future. You’ll be more focused on your own progress and less likely to compare yourself to others. And as you continue to celebrate your small wins, you’ll create a cycle of positive reinforcement that will keep you motivated and inspired.

    So, whether it’s completing a challenging project, learning a new skill, or receiving positive feedback from a colleague or client, take the time to celebrate your little accomplishments as a developer. By doing so, you’ll be building a successful and fulfilling career, one small win at a time.

    2. Build a support system

    I can’t emphasize enough the importance of a support system. Whether you’re starting out in a new job or tackling a new challenge, having people around you who believe in you and want to see you succeed can make all the difference.

    In my experience, it’s crucial to have open and honest conversations with your colleagues and managers. They’re not just there to assign you tasks and evaluate your performance; they genuinely care about your well-being and want to see you thrive. And when things get tough, they can be the ones who lift you up and help you find a way forward.

    Working in the tech industry can be isolating at times, especially when you’re facing complex problems that require creative solutions. But when you have a support system in place, you’re never alone. You can bounce ideas off of each other, share your struggles and triumphs, and work together to come up with the best solutions.

    At the end of the day, effective communication is key to building and maintaining a strong support system. When you’re open and honest about your needs and challenges, your colleagues and managers can be there to offer guidance and support. And when you celebrate your successes together, it’s a win for the entire team.

    So my advice to you is this: don’t be afraid to reach out to the people around you. You might be surprised at how much they care and how much they want to help you succeed. And when you work together, there’s no limit to what you can achieve.

    3. Set realistic goals

    Being realistic when setting goals is a lesson that I’ve learned from personal experience. I have often set overly ambitious goals that were difficult or even impossible to achieve. As a result, I became frustrated and discouraged when I didn’t make as much progress as I had hoped. I eventually had to reevaluate my goals and adjust my timeline, which taught me the importance of being realistic when setting goals.

    For example, at the beginning of each day, take five minutes to reflect on your ongoing tasks and prioritize them for completion. Don’t overschedule yourself, as this can add unnecessary stress to your day. Instead, focus on accomplishing the tasks at hand and write them down to stay organized.

    Breaking down the big tasks into smaller, more manageable ones can make all the difference. It’s easier to make progress and feel motivated when you see your little wins adding up. And let’s be real, who doesn’t love a sense of accomplishment? Below are a few ways to score little wins:

    • Zero Inbox: One of the most satisfying little wins is achieving zero inbox. No more stress from the overwhelming number of unread emails. Just imagine how great it would feel to focus on your work without the nagging feeling that you’re missing something important.
    • Small Fixes: The small fixes like updating the READme file, contributing a tiny fix, filing bugs, and helping someone over slack/discord can help you score little wins to jumpstart your day.

    Setting realistic goals have been able to help me to make steady progress in my career and avoid the frustration and disappointment of setting unrealistic goals.

    4. You are not defined by your work

    The pandemic brought about a lot of changes, both big and small, in our lives. For me, one of the most significant changes has been in my perspective on work. Before the pandemic, my job was everything to me. I would work long hours and sacrifice my personal life just to make sure things were perfect at work. But then the pandemic hit, and everything changed. I was laid off from my job. This led me to realize that my job was replaceable, but my life outside of work was not. I started using my vacation days for things that really mattered to me. I also started taking better care of myself, focusing on my health and well-being.

    Don’t get me wrong, I still take my job seriously and strive to do my best every day. But I’ve learned that my job does not define me. It’s just one small part of who I am. And so, I’ve been trying to find a better balance between work and the other important things in my life. It’s not always easy, and it’s taken some time to get here, but I feel much happier and more fulfilled. Your life outside of work is just as important, if not more so. Take care of yourself, focus on what really matters to you, and find that balance that works for you.

    5. We are all together

    As a developer, it’s easy to fall into the comparison trap. With so many talented individuals in the industry, it can be challenging to feel like you must catch up. But it’s important to remember that everyone’s journey is different. There will always be someone who seems to be doing better than you, but that doesn’t mean you’re not progressing in your own way. Focus on your own growth, learn from others, and celebrate your accomplishments. You are on your own unique path, and the only person you should be comparing yourself to is the person you were yesterday.

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    Writen by:
    A passionate tech enthusiast actively involved in open-source communities like Firefox and Kubernetes. With a strong commitment to community engagement, Sonia loves to share her knowledge through speaking engagements and writing about tech. Let's connect and explore the fascinating world of technology together!
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    I picked up most of my skills during the years I worked at IBM. Was a DBA, developer, and cloud engineer for a time. After that, I went into freelancing, where I found the passion for writing. Now, I'm a full-time writer at Semaphore.