Have you ever felt like you’re not good enough, even when others say you’re doing a great job? Or maybe, at times, you were so sure you were right – but later, you realised you were wrong? If yes You’re not alone. In fact, you might be living with both Imposter Syndrome and the Dunning-Kruger Effect – two opposing but common mind traps. Like Ali’s character in Ejen Ali The Movie and animated series was widely talked about. His character shows us exactly how both can exist in the same person – it’s a psychological mirror of how we deal with pressure, confidence and how we see ourselves.
Even though Ali becomes a special agent, he often feels like he doesn’t deserve it. Sometimes, he thinks the only reason he’s in MATA is because he got lucky with the IRIS device. In fact, without Ali controlling the IRIS, that powerful gadget would be useless. Yet, despite all this, he still sometimes feels like he doesn’t really belong at MATA at all.
This feeling is called Imposter Syndrome. It happens when someone feels like a “fake” even when they are actually doing well. People with imposter syndrome often believe they are not as smart or skilled as others think. They worry that one day, others will find out they don’t belong. This fear can stop them from sharing ideas or asking for help. They may work extra hard to prove themselves, even when it’s not necessary. Sometimes, they think any success they have is just luck.
This feeling can make work very stressful and tiring. It can stop people from growing because they don’t believe they deserve their achievements. The truth is, many people feel like this – even those who are very successful. Feeling unsure doesn’t mean you’re a fraud. It means you’re human.
Ali's character also shows us his confidence in some areas. He sometimes acts very confident, even when he doesn’t know everything. He often jumps into problems believing he can handle everything on his own. But he doesn’t always see the risks or the important details he might miss.
This is an example of the Dunning-Kruger Effect – a situation where someone thinks they know more than they really do. People with this mindset often don’t realise how much they still need to learn
In real life, this can happen at work too. A person might feel very sure about their task, even if they don’t understand all the facts. They may make quick decisions without asking for advice or checking carefully. Sometimes, they truly believe they are doing the right thing, but they miss the key information.
This happens because when someone has little knowledge about something, they don’t know what they don’t know. So they feel more confident than they should. Ali’s story reminds us that this kind of overconfidence is common, especially when we are still learning. It can lead to mistakes – but it also helps us grow. As we gain more experience, we become more aware of what we know and what we don’t.
Ali’s character shows us something very real about being human. He feels like he’s not good enough, even when he is. At the same time, he can also be too confident and miss important details. Imposter Syndrome and the Dunning-Kruger Effect – seem like opposites, but they can happen in the same person.
Many of us feel this way, especially in school, at work or when we’re trying something new. Sometimes, we doubt ourselves too much. Other times, we don't see the full picture and think we know more than we do. It’s part of learning and growing.
Ali’s story reminds us that it’s okay to feel unsure, and it’s okay to make mistakes. We don’t have to be perfect to be good at what we do. What’s important is to know that we’re always learning. Sometimes, we need to believe in ourselves more. Other times, we need to slow down and listen or ask for help. Both confidence and doubt are part of human being.
What matters most is learning from both. When we understand ourselves better, we grow – not just in skills, but as a person.
Nabil Arafat (mhmmdnabilarafat@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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