Transforming Insecurities (SWOT Weaknesses) into Steps Towards Global Professional Success

While diving into the creation of my SWOT Matrix, detailed in this post: How I Used SWOT and MBTI for My Professional Development, I confronted some deep insecurities. Among them, the hesitation to explore job opportunities abroad as a software engineer caught my attention, revealing that perhaps Impostor Syndrome was influencing my reluctance.

In this space, I share personal reflections that were crucial in unraveling and facing these feelings. These insights not only provided me with greater clarity and conviction in my professional journey but can also serve as a guide for you to navigate more securely through the challenges of your own career.

1. When I start to think about my skills as a developer, what thoughts come first? Do I tend to focus more on what I believe I lack than on the skills I possess?

2. Do I often compare myself with other developers who are already working abroad? How do these comparisons affect my perception of my own capabilities and what I believe I am capable of achieving?

3. Does the fear of failure play a significant role in my hesitation to seek opportunities abroad? Exactly what am I afraid might happen?

4. What barriers, real or perceived, are preventing me from taking the next step in my international career? How can I start to overcome them?

5. How do I celebrate my achievements and progress in the development field? Could recognizing and valuing my successes help me to see my ability to work abroad in a different light?

6. Do I seek the support of mentors, peers, or development communities to discuss my feelings of inadequacy? How do these conversations influence my self-image as a developer?

7. What concrete actions can I take to strengthen my confidence in my professional abilities?

8. How do I see myself in five years if I decide to overcome these fears and take the step to work abroad?

9. What is the smallest step I can take now to move closer to my goal of working abroad?

And you, reader? Have you already faced some of these pains, hesitations, and feelings?

These reflections allowed me to confront the feelings associated with Impostor Syndrome and develop a detailed action plan that enabled me to overcome them and achieve my goals.

Here are the steps I followed:

1. Reassessed My Skills: I began a record of all my technical skills and successful projects I completed. This helped me focus on the competencies I possessed, rather than dwelling on the skills I believed I lacked. LinkedIn or a skills matrix are excellent places to start.

2. Minimized Comparisons: Recognizing that comparing myself to other developers abroad negatively affected my self-esteem, I decided to limit the time spent on professional social networks and focus more on my own development. I replaced that time with learning sessions and personal projects.

3. Identified and Overcame Barriers: I listed all perceived barriers that prevented me from seeking international opportunities and devised specific strategies to overcome them. This included improving my language skills and acquiring specific technical knowledge required in the international market.

4. Celebrated Achievements: I implemented a personal reward system for each achievement or milestone reached in my career. This ranged from completing an online course to receiving positive feedback on a project. Celebrating these successes reinforced my belief in my ability to achieve more.

5. Sought Support: I actively connected with mentors, joined development communities, and sought support groups where I could openly discuss feelings of inadequacy. The exchange of experiences and advice offered new perspectives and encouragement.

6. Concrete Actions for Self-Confidence: I dedicated time regularly for professional development, whether through courses, tutorials, or side projects, to strengthen my skills and confidence. Moreover, I practiced self-compassion, reminding myself that growth is a continuous process.

7. Future Vision: I visualized where I saw myself in a year, including working abroad, and created a visual map of that vision. This served as a constant reminder of my goals and the direction I wanted to take.

By adopting this action plan, I prepared and motivated myself to overcome my insecurities and move forward towards my ideal professional world. With each small step, I built a solid foundation for future success. I hope this piece of my story can help you.