A feedback from personal experience, for use by all
Any UX-Designer is brought to moments of doubt, questioning, questioning.
Have you ever found yourself on a mission where you wondered what you were doing there? To give a workshop for which you thought you were not in your place? Not daring to ask for a promotion or apply for a job because you didn't feel up to it?
Welcome to the wonderful world of impostor syndrome.
What is it ?
Imposter Syndrome is an experience that almost all of us go through at different times in our lives. It consists in thinking that at any moment, someone will come and declare that we are fraudsters, storytellers, … in short, we have no place here at all.
Illustration: Bradford Veley, Imposter Syndrome, 2014
Does everyone feel?
This syndrome affects 70% of the human population and more particularly the women, the minorities (whatever they are) and the high potential people. The impostor syndrome leads to constant doubts about their success, their career, and even their legitimacy.
But who am I to talk about it? A psychologist, an expert in sociology or even a great scientist in the search for the depths of the human psyche? No. Simply a UX-Designer for whom this syndrome had a huge impact on his life.
Why do we feel it in our professions?
User experience is a relatively young and rapidly developing field. Therefore, for us, each project is a first : we discover a new sector, a new methodology, a new workshop, etc.
UX love the T
UX Designers have what are called T skills: a very broad knowledge in quite varied fields: ergonomics, psychology, interface design, development, user tests... With, for each, more in-depth knowledge in one or more of these areas. This leads us to rub shoulders with many people mastering areas of which we have only a rather vague knowledge. Not easy is it?
If you find yourself asking yourself “Am I really a writer? Am I really an artist?” chances are you are. The counterfeit innovator is wildly self-confident. The real one is scared to death.
–Steven Pressfield, The War of Art
From doubt to solution
UX is also a field that requires a great deal of questioning. We are constantly led to propose hypotheses , imagine solutions, new ways of thinking… which are then sent to the battleground of user testing and sometimes end up as resounding failures. While this is an integral part of our methodology, these moments can still be difficult to experience on a personal level.
Go higher
Finally, there's what's called The Gap . This "gap" you feel between what you'd like to achieve and what your current skills allow. This gap is common to many professions. The good news is that as your career progresses, it tends to narrow as you gain experience and develop your skills.
Beat It!
I'm not going to let you expose something you're going through and add nothing, that would be too cruel. The good news is that I managed to overtake him. After some time as a freelancer, one day I decided to snap everything and I left my country to join UX Republic whom I had admired for three years (and no, they did not threaten me for writing this).
ACT I: The Road So Far
We spend our time comparing ourselves to others, envying certain careers. This allows us to set goals, but the impact on our mental state is enormous . Instead, take the time to look back.
What have you accomplished? Where are you from ? What have already been your successes, your diplomas, your successful projects?
You will realize that, although you still have a long way to go, the journey you have already completed is gigantic.
ACT II: Talk about it
If this syndrome makes us think we have to hide to avoid revealing our deception , opening up about it will make you realize how widespread it is. Suddenly, you'll discover that even the people you admire feel it, and no, you're not alone.
There are still days when I wake up feeling like a fraud , not sure I should be where I am.
– Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook
ACT III: Accept failure
Our profession is built on failure; it's through this trial-and-error process that we evolve toward the best possible solution. No one is born with all the answers ; you very rarely find the best solution for a project right away. See failure as a learning experience , another step toward what you need to achieve.
ACT IV: Aggregate positive feedback
For years, I've taken the time to keep a document in which I note all the positive feedback I've received. Whether personal or professional, this file is an enormous source of support during moments of doubt. It allows me to refocus on what others objectively think of me, rather than on my subjective feelings, which can sometimes be too easily hurt.
ACT V: Self Gratitude
Every morning I take the time to write down three positive things about myself in a small notebook . It's not easy every morning; it sometimes requires thinking, but forcing yourself to find three positive things gently forces you to improve the image you have of yourself.
ACT VI: Dare.
The most difficult one, but the one that will bring you the most. Even if fear grips you, dare to apply for that position, dare to take on that project, or organize that workshop. You will gradually realize that you are not alone, and that things are no longer so terrifying once you face them.
ACT VII: Help
By talking about your problems you will find that others share them. Do not hesitate to give time during your journey to listen to others and advise. For 4 years I have been giving time anonymously on a self-help site (7 Cups), I was able to meet very diverse life experiences, sometimes very difficult. But as I helped other people, being present and listening, I realized that my vision of my problems was getting softer.
But I'm still scared!
So take these keys and apply them to your life. You are capable of achieving great things (yes, even you, down by the window). Each of us has something unique to offer the world. These gifts are a present we have all received, so don't deprive yourself of them. Go for it, dare to be bold, and give yourself to this world that is waiting for you.
Take Away
Dare to put yourself forward, even if you are afraid. Talk, exchange, try. And use the seven keys:
- Look at what you've accomplished
- Talk about your feelings with colleagues
- Accept the possibility of failure
- Keep all the compliments you receive
- Write down 3 positive things about yourself every day
- Dare to take risks
- Help other people, if only by listening to them
