Doubting your own competence.
WHAT IT IS
Persistent doubt about your ability, despite evidence.
HOW COMMON IT IS
Very, including among experienced practitioners.
WHY TECHNOLOGY PRODUCES IT
The field is vast, visibly changing, and full of people discussing what they know rather than what they do not.
WHAT FEEDS IT
Comparing your internal experience to others' external presentation Working alone Environments where nobody admits ignorance
WHAT HELPS
Recognising that everyone is looking things up Asking questions openly Keeping a record of what you have done
WHY THE RECORD HELPS
Doubt distorts memory of your own capability.
WHAT TO WRITE DOWN
Problems you solved Things you learned Positive feedback received
WHEN TO READ IT
When doubt is loudest.
WHAT TO DO IN A NEW ROLE
Accept that not knowing is expected.
WHAT TO AVOID
Concealing ignorance.
WHY
It compounds, and it prevents learning.
WHAT SAYING YOU DO NOT KNOW SIGNALS
Confidence, in most professional environments.
WHAT TO DISTINGUISH
Doubt from accurate assessment.
WHY
Sometimes you genuinely lack a skill, which is addressable.
WHAT TO DO THEN
Address it, specifically.
WHAT TO RECOGNISE
That discomfort at the edge of ability is where growth occurs.
WHAT TO SEEK
Environments where questions are welcomed.
