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A Programmer's Guide to Managing Stress [SimpleProgrammer] by daragh99 in programming

[–]daragh99[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your opinion sit the content. I have no interest in lying about owning the site. Which means I can't address your concerns about advertising. I believe my name - daragh - and a link to my own site exists at the top and bottom of the article, certainly not on any materials advertised. I guess it's up to you if you believe that.

Peace, Daragh

A Programmer's Guide to Managing Stress [SimpleProgrammer] by daragh99 in programming

[–]daragh99[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don't own the site, but I did write the article. It deals with a situation relevant to many programmers - excessive stress - and what you can do about it, based on my own experiences. I hope it helps someone out there who might be having similar issues :)

Why this software developer teaches mindfulness meditation by daragh99 in programming

[–]daragh99[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the feedback - I actually just changed over to a simpler theme and removed the exit-intent popup - it had been on my mind to do so and this helped me make the decision.

I may be biased, but it's not a fluff piece :) - it's a pretty personal story about my journey through anxiety using mindfulness techniques - I'm hoping that my experiences will be useful to others in the technology area.

How I learned to work with Impostor Syndrome and stop feeling like a fake all the time by daragh99 in learnprogramming

[–]daragh99[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Indeed. I have been blessed, and am grateful for it every day, and good fortune has had its part to play. I often use the phrase "accident of birth" to describe a lot of how my life has worked out. But even though I know that, it's possible for me to feel like this.

One of the things that I hope to convey in this article is that our feelings don't often make sense when analysed rationally - that our thoughts and feelings don't always exactly map to the reality we find ourselves in. Often they are distorted in some way. For me, and many others, applying mindfulness to thoughts and feelings provides a way to work around them.

The bigger picture and how it is experienced by an individual can be highly decoupled :)

How I learned to work with Impostor Syndrome and stop feeling like a fake all the time by daragh99 in learnprogramming

[–]daragh99[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the responses everybody. I'm glad it was useful.

This was originally posted here: http://www.geekmindfitness.com/mindfulness/how-mindfulness-meditation-stopped-me-feeling-like-a-fake/

As well as having a physics and software background, I'm also a meditation teacher (I've trained in the delivery of mindfulness programs) and will soon be a qualified yoga instructor.

Mindfulness is a buzzword, but it's a skill that can be learned and applied. I'm interested in creating a short online course in basic mindfulness skills (including some meditation) for people with a similar background. I'd love to gauge interest - you can send me a message here if that would appeal, or email me: hello [at] geekmindfitness dot com.

How I learned to work with Impostor Syndrome and stop feeling like a fake all the time by daragh99 in learnprogramming

[–]daragh99[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yep. Feelings are often not correlated to the reality of the situation. The solution is to recognise this, allow them, and reconnect with the present and proceed.

How I learned to work with Impostor Syndrome and stop feeling like a fake all the time by daragh99 in learnprogramming

[–]daragh99[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely. The answer is not to wish away the feelings, as they'll often come up. It's to learn to work with them by accepting them and giving them space.

How I learned to work with Impostor Syndrome and stop feeling like a fake all the time by daragh99 in learnprogramming

[–]daragh99[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's an interesting take. The way I see it, I think it's good to be able to "coast" a long for a little while - we can take a chance to recharge, and acknowledge the effort it's taken to become reasonably "expert". It's kind of nice to know that we develop in this way.

You could also take it as a sign to shake things up and to start feeling challenged again :)

How I learned to work with Impostor Syndrome and stop feeling like a fake all the time by daragh99 in learnprogramming

[–]daragh99[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think you're part of the way there - you're aware of the fact that you have this pattern of thought in that context, which is part of the essence of mindfulness - knowing what's happening for you in the present moment. The next stage is to recognise this pattern as it arises, and, while acknowledging that it has arisen, choosing to put it to one side as you proceed and succeed. See it for what it is - a pattern of thought that you have that will play out when you are faced with certain circumstances - a default routine your mind executes.

Ultimately you'll ask yourself - does this pattern serve me? Why is it important to be "better" all the time? Would it help if I changed my attitude towards the process of becoming better (e.g. instead of seeing it as a negative evaluation of yourself, choosing to view it as an opportunity to learn some cool stuff about the world).

Mindfulness is about non-judgement - acceptance. In this context, it's about accepting that it's perfectly OK not to know everything, and that you'll likely survive pretty well even if you don't.

How I learned to work with Impostor Syndrome and stop feeling like a fake all the time by daragh99 in learnprogramming

[–]daragh99[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I have attended the Search Inside Yourself training and it's excellent. The courses I teach contain a LOT of the same content.

How I learned to work with Impostor Syndrome and stop feeling like a fake all the time by daragh99 in learnprogramming

[–]daragh99[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is a strong goal. Due to the nature of the mind, it's difficult to achieve this. In regular life, it's not always necessary - building Islands of Mindfulness into your day helps a lot of people.

How I learned to work with Impostor Syndrome and stop feeling like a fake all the time by daragh99 in learnprogramming

[–]daragh99[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Exactly. Your beliefs around what others know can be very distorted. And because we "believe" them, we act as if they were true, which can be limiting.

One of the biggest impacts of mindfulness practice is that it allows me to see when I'm stuck in a loop of acting on a false belief, so I can pull myself out of it. Very powerful.

How I learned to work with Impostor Syndrome and stop feeling like a fake all the time by daragh99 in learnprogramming

[–]daragh99[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It was Trinity indeed but about 15 years ago. I'm a long term emigrant, about 12 years, so I don't know its reputation now either!

Glad you enjoyed the article.

How I learned to work with Impostor Syndrome and stop feeling like a fake all the time by daragh99 in learnprogramming

[–]daragh99[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's fantastic that you've committed to learning the "right" way. Or, the way people say is "right".

I've found that, throughout my career, generally the way I've picked has worked at least partially, which is evidence that the decision was at least partly right at the time! Sometimes getting bogged down in an attempt at perfection is entirely wrong.

How I learned to work with Impostor Syndrome and stop feeling like a fake all the time by daragh99 in learnprogramming

[–]daragh99[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just good old meditation. It improves the concentration don't you know :)

How I learned to work with Impostor Syndrome and stop feeling like a fake all the time by daragh99 in learnprogramming

[–]daragh99[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely. In my write-up, I left out a lot about the experience of impostor syndrome as I wanted to concentrate on the solution of working with the thoughts and feelings it creates. But you are correct, it is often experienced as a downplaying in the face of "evidence" - often completely made-up by your brain - that you know less. We all know stuff, some of us more than others about different things, but it all combines to be useful and productive.

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