[JohnFen]

As a new programmer? Nothing. Fear of inadequacy was a constant companion.

Over the years, though, as I saw more and more code written by programmers I respect and from companies I respect, I noticed that mine was no worse than theirs -- and I realized that my skills were, at the minimum, just fine. Warts and all.

(Edited to swap "mine" and "theirs" to be what I meant to say)

[readline_prompt]

I think this is big. I still try to be humble and consider myself to be nothing higher than a novice. When I do see things that I can quickly understand and even improve on, it's a huge boost to my morale.

[JohnFen]

I believe in being as bluntly honest with yourself as possible. This includes acknowledging the good things as much as acknowledging the bad. So I think it's perfectly fine -- even good -- to recognize areas where you are an expert (just don't think that expertise in one thing makes you an expert in all things).

Humility is a wonderful thing, though, and you can maintain it regardless of your skill level by recognizing the truth that no matter how good you are at anything, there will always be someone better than you.

I personally get nervous when I'm not doing something I'm a novice at. It means that I'm not growing.

[topspin]

> as I saw more and more code written by programmers

That's what worked for me. By the time I was hired for real, full time coding work I had already done lots of C-64 Basic and assembly, x86 assembly, C in DOS and Win32 and had been reading DDJ for years. When I discovered the hopelessly abysmal code that supposed veterans had built their careers on I knew I was worthy.