Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
What Steve Jobs’ Story Teaches Us
In my interactions with UX professionals, from beginners to experts, I’ve observed a recurring theme: many of us struggle to overcome Imposter Syndrome.
This is the persistent feeling of not being good enough, despite our experience and skills.
Even the most accomplished UX professionals can sometimes doubt their abilities and feel like frauds, undeserving of their success.
This self-doubt can hold us back from fully embracing our talents and pursuing our professional goals with confidence.
I hope you’ll find it comforting to know that even highly successful individuals, including those who have revolutionised the field of UX, have faced similar doubts and grappled with Imposter Syndrome.
Today, I’m delving into Steve Jobs’ story, hoping it inspires you to forge ahead on your own journey.
His story encourages us to trust in our abilities and, hopefully, teaches you how to overcome feelings of Imposter Syndrome at work.🌟
Many of us draw inspiration from Apple and Jobs’ legacy.
Apple’s products, from the groundbreaking Macintosh to the iconic iPhone, have set the gold standard for intuitive interfaces and exceptional user experiences.
Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple Inc., was a visionary leader who transformed multiple industries through his focus on user experience and design.
He understood the importance of simplicity and elegance in design, advocating for products that not only functioned well but also delighted users at every interaction. 💻
Personal and Professional Setbacks
Despite his success, Jobs’ journey wasn’t a smooth one.
His path was marked by many personal and professional challenges, that many of us could relate to, that ultimately influenced his approach to innovation and design.
After leaving college, having faced uncertainty and financial instability, he decided to explore various paths, including a journey to India in search of enlightenment and direction.
These experiences, though seemingly disparate from his future success, were pivotal in shaping his approach to design and life.
Like many of you, Jobs wrestled with feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt.
But instead of succumbing to those feelings, he used them to fuel his passion and creativity, eventually channeling them into groundbreaking design philosophies.
In 1985, he experienced one of his most profound setbacks when he was ousted from Apple.
This public and personal defeat could have spelled the end of his career, yet Jobs viewed it as an opportunity for growth.
“Getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again. It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life.”
He went on to establish NeXT, a computer platform development company, and later acquired Pixar, transforming it into a leading animation studio.
While both ventures faced significant challenges—NeXT struggled commercially, and Pixar was a financial risk—Jobs’ resilience paid off.
The technology pioneered at NeXT laid the groundwork for Apple’s future innovations, while Pixar’s success with “Toy Story” (what a captivating story that was!) revolutionised the animation industry.
Steve Jobs’ return to Apple in 1996 marked a watershed moment, not just for the company but for the field of UX as well.
Jobs’ insistence on perfection and meticulous attention to detail ensured that every facet of Apple’s products enhanced the user experience.
Under his stewardship, Apple redefined UX with products like the iMac, iPod, iPhone, and iPad, setting new benchmarks in design and usability. 🌟
How To Overcome Imposter Syndrome (Takeaways from Jobs’ journey):
1️⃣ Embrace your path
Acknowledge your feelings of inadequacy, but don’t let them define you.
Dealing with Imposter Syndrome can be challenging, but it’s important to recognize that these feelings of self-doubt are common, even among the most successful people.
Success doesn’t follow a linear path, so don’t be disheartened by setbacks, thinking you’re not good enough.
Sometimes, you just need to realign yourself to get back on track.
Remember, these setbacks do not define your worth as a UX professional.
Your unique experiences and viewpoints are invaluable, so embrace your path and let it shape your design approach.
2️⃣ Persist
Jobs faced major setbacks in his career.
However, he didn’t let them define him.
Just like Jobs, don’t let your Imposter Syndrome define your worth.
By being persistent in pursuing your goals and not taking failures personally, you can learn to overcome the self-doubt of Imposter Syndrome.
Like Jobs, maintaining focus on your aspirations, rather than letting setbacks derail you, is key to moving past these feelings of inadequacy.
“I’m convinced that about half of what separates successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance.”
3️⃣ Adapt
Sometimes, feelings of inadequacy can arise from staying in one place for too long.
UX is a fast-moving field, so don’t be afraid to continuously learn and experiment.
Embrace fresh ideas and be ready to pivot when necessary.
Innovation often springs from exploring different perspectives and adapting to new circumstances.
Keep moving forward and be prepared to fail without feeling disheartened.
This is how you grow.
4️⃣ Focus on User Experience
Apple’s transformative impact on industries stemmed from its prioritisation of user experience and design excellence.
Advocate relentlessly for the user experience and strive to create products that are not only functional but also intuitive and enjoyable.
Stay true to yourself and your goals as a UX professional.
This focus will remind you of your purpose and reinforce the importance of your work.
5️⃣ Develop a vision
Jobs had a clear vision for his products and their potential impact on the world.
Having a clear vision of your work can ultimately help you overcome Imposter Syndrome.
When you have a strong understanding of your role and the value you bring to the table, it becomes easier to silence the nagging doubts and feelings of inadequacy that often accompany Imposter Syndrome.
So, develop a robust vision for the work you’re producing and stay steadfast in pursuing it.
“If Macintosh hadn’t been successful, then I should have just thrown in the towel, because my vision of the whole industry would have been totally wrong.”
Steve Jobs’ journey highlights the power of resilience, vision, and user-centred design.
His trajectory—from personal and professional setbacks to ultimate groundbreaking success—is a reminder that failures are not the end but a path toward innovation and excellence.
For us in UX, Jobs’ journey shows the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and commitment to enhancing user experiences.
Remember, the road to success is often marked by setbacks and failures.
There is no easy way up.
Your journey, similar to Steve’s, holds the potential to inspire.
What are your thoughts? How do you tackle Imposter Syndrome in your work?
Comment and share 💬
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