Have you ever felt stuck in your tech career, battling burnout or imposter syndrome, and wondering if there’s a way to break through?
Many of us, especially women in engineering and tech, often feel like we’re solving complex problems at work but struggling to overcome our own internal roadblocks. In this episode of From a Woman to a Leader, I sat down with Dagna Bieda, an engineer-turned-career coach, who shares her powerful method for transforming the way we think and achieve success in our careers. 💡
Dagna’s “Brain Refactor” approach will change how you view mindset, self-doubt, and professional growth. We covered everything from overcoming imposter syndrome to becoming a more effective communicator—so if you’re ready to reprogram your thoughts and achieve new levels of success, this episode is for you!
Key Takeaways from the Episode:
1. What is “Brain Refactor” and Why Does It Matter?
Dagna created the Brain Refactor method after years of feeling stuck, overwhelmed, and burned out as an engineer. She realized that the biggest obstacles weren’t in her technical skills—but in her mindset and beliefs. 💭
The “Brain Refactor” method is about identifying and “debugging” the mental “bugs” in your thought patterns that are keeping you from reaching your goals. This isn’t just positive thinking; it’s about understanding your mental programming and re-writing it for success. 🧠💪
💡 Pro Tip: Start by recognizing the thoughts that come up when you’re facing a challenge. Are they helping you move forward or holding you back?
2. How to Crush Imposter Syndrome Once and For All
Imposter syndrome is one of the most common challenges faced by women in tech, and it’s a topic that Dagna is very passionate about. She shared her own struggles and how, despite her technical expertise, she often felt like she didn’t belong.
“Imposter syndrome is just a bug in your mental code. You can rewrite it.” – Dagna Bieda
Dagna’s advice? Catch these thoughts early. Notice when you’re spiraling into self-doubt, then reframe your thoughts to focus on growth and learning. It’s not about ignoring the feeling but rather acknowledging it and choosing a different narrative.
3. Overcoming Burnout by Shifting Your Perspective
Burnout is a major issue in the tech industry, and Dagna knows this firsthand. She experienced a complete career burnout that pushed her to seek therapy and, eventually, transform her life. 😓
She emphasizes that burnout often comes from pushing ourselves too hard without recognizing when we need to reset. By paying attention to the early signs and changing your internal “code,” you can prevent burnout before it takes over.
💡 Key Strategy: Build a self-care routine that allows you to step back and recharge regularly, even when you’re not feeling overwhelmed.
4. The Power of Assertive Communication in Career Growth
Communication is one of the most undervalued skills in engineering, but it’s critical to career growth. Dagna explains how a lack of assertive communication skills can lead to missed promotions, misunderstandings, and even conflicts at work. 💬
Assertive communication isn’t about being forceful or aggressive—it’s about being clear, direct, and respectful in expressing your needs. When you can communicate assertively, you create psychological safety for yourself and others, which builds trust and leads to stronger collaborations.
💡 Practice Tip: Next time you’re in a meeting, focus on sharing your perspective clearly, without minimizing your input. Notice the difference it makes!
How to Apply These Lessons to Your Own Career:
Dagna’s insights are packed with value for anyone navigating a tech career, but the key is to put these strategies into action. Take a moment to reflect on your own career journey:
•Are you battling imposter syndrome and holding yourself back?
•Do you need to work on your communication style to build stronger relationships?
•Are you experiencing burnout and feeling stuck in your role?
Final Thoughts:
If any of this resonates with you, it’s time to hit “play” on the full episode! Dagna’s unique perspective will inspire you to look at your own “mental code” and make the changes needed to thrive in your career. 🌟
Listen to the full episode here 👉 https://limorbergman.com/podcast/
Don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments below! What mental “bugs” are you working on debugging? Let’s chat! 💬
About Dagna
Dagna Bieda is an engineer-turned-career coach with over a decade of coding experience and more than four years of coaching under her belt. She specializes in helping engineers in tech—whether in software, AI/ML, data, DevOps, QA, or beyond—reach their full potential by reprogramming the most critical code of all: the one in their minds.
Having transitioned from programming computers to coaching ambitious professionals, Dagna brings a unique, empathetic approach to her coaching practice. She’s not just a coach—she’s someone who has been in their shoes and knows firsthand the challenges of navigating the tech industry. Her clients range from early-career professionals to experienced CTOs, with backgrounds spanning from self-taught developers and Bootcamp graduates to PhDs and military veterans.
Dagna’s proven approach has helped her clients achieve a variety of goals, from getting promoted and landing new roles to negotiating higher salaries and stepping into executive leadership positions. Her focus is on breaking through mental barriers like imposter syndrome and burnout to unlock greater confidence and career success.
With Dagna’s support, engineers across the globe are transforming their careers and achieving results they once thought were out of reach.
Learn more about Dagna: https://www.themindfuldev.com/
Follow Dagna on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dagnabieda/
