Thank you for sharing this so openly. I often look at the profiles of people I admire and feel like I’m not good enough, despite achieving and overcoming a lot on my own path. This fuels impostor syndrome. Peer comparison starts so early in life that it becomes second nature, making it hard to truly appreciate our own accomplishments. Your story offers a valuable reminder that it’s okay to run our own race. Thank you for giving us a glimpse of your journey—it’s both reassuring and inspiring.
After facing over 100 rejections in the past six months and having my third surgery, I’ve been questioning everything—my life, my career, and whether I should stay in product management. Even though I’ve worked at Shopify and done well in big tech interviews, I still feel like a failure. Your post, Nikunj, really connected with me and gave me a bit of hope and a more positive mindset. Thank you.
Love this - ironically ‘not good enough’ was instilled in my at a young age by my parents. Not in an intentional way, but because they wanted the best for me. It had the opposite effect!!
My story is a bit different: I was constantly told I wasn’t living up to my potential, so I stopped caring altogether. That changed during my military service. My brothers-in-arm and commanders saw me for who I truly was and valued me for it, recognizing qualities I hadn’t acknowledged in myself. That drove me to push harder and harder, ultimately graduating as a decorated paratrooper special forces officer. Since then, I’ve focused on proving to myself (and not others) that I’m fulfilling my potential.
"Every child needs one grown-up to believe in them."
The same goes for adults 🌻
I live by this with my kids and strive to extend it to everyone around me.
Thank you for sharing this so openly. I often look at the profiles of people I admire and feel like I’m not good enough, despite achieving and overcoming a lot on my own path. This fuels impostor syndrome. Peer comparison starts so early in life that it becomes second nature, making it hard to truly appreciate our own accomplishments. Your story offers a valuable reminder that it’s okay to run our own race. Thank you for giving us a glimpse of your journey—it’s both reassuring and inspiring.
After facing over 100 rejections in the past six months and having my third surgery, I’ve been questioning everything—my life, my career, and whether I should stay in product management. Even though I’ve worked at Shopify and done well in big tech interviews, I still feel like a failure. Your post, Nikunj, really connected with me and gave me a bit of hope and a more positive mindset. Thank you.
Hang in there! The light is darkest right before dawn
Love this - ironically ‘not good enough’ was instilled in my at a young age by my parents. Not in an intentional way, but because they wanted the best for me. It had the opposite effect!!
Loving this 👋
My story is a bit different: I was constantly told I wasn’t living up to my potential, so I stopped caring altogether. That changed during my military service. My brothers-in-arm and commanders saw me for who I truly was and valued me for it, recognizing qualities I hadn’t acknowledged in myself. That drove me to push harder and harder, ultimately graduating as a decorated paratrooper special forces officer. Since then, I’ve focused on proving to myself (and not others) that I’m fulfilling my potential.
"Every child needs one grown-up to believe in them."
The same goes for adults 🌻
I live by this with my kids and strive to extend it to everyone around me.
Well said.
Loved it, thanks for sharing!