In a recent LinkedIn post, Shreyas Doshi discusses two pervasive psychological pitfalls that he believes are the root cause of many career regrets among intelligent professionals: LinkedIn Envy and the Impact Lie. Doshi, who has coached hundreds of individuals on career decisions, suggests that understanding these phenomena is key to avoiding future dissatisfaction.
Doshi highlights the core of the problem, stating:
“From coaching 100s of people over the years on career decisions, I’ve observed that LinkedIn Envy and the Impact Lie are the root cause of many career regrets of otherwise-smart people.”
The post, which directs readers to a more in-depth article for further explanation, frames these issues as significant barriers to genuine career fulfillment. Doshi posits that societal pressures, often amplified by curated online personas, contribute to these detrimental thought patterns.
Understanding LinkedIn Envy
Shreyas Doshi identifies LinkedIn Envy as a significant factor in career dissatisfaction. This form of envy arises from the constant exposure to the seemingly perfect and highly successful career trajectories presented on the platform. As Doshi points out, the curated nature of professional networking sites often leads individuals to compare their own unedited reality with the highlight reels of others, fostering feelings of inadequacy and regret about their own choices.
According to Doshi, this comparison culture can distort one’s perception of success. “The knowledge is the cure,” he suggests, implying that education and awareness about the nature of these platforms and the psychology behind envy are crucial first steps in mitigating its effects. By recognizing that online portrayals are often incomplete or exaggerated, professionals can begin to ground their career assessments in their own values and achievements rather than external benchmarks.
The Pervasive Impact Lie
Complementing LinkedIn Envy, Doshi introduces the concept of the “Impact Lie.” This refers to the often-unrealistic expectations individuals place on the immediate or dramatic impact of their career decisions or actions. Professionals may feel regret if a particular project doesn’t yield immediate, significant results, or if a career move doesn’t result in a clearly demonstrable, large-scale impact as quickly as they anticipated.
Doshi argues that this lie fosters impatience and can lead to dissatisfaction with steady, incremental progress. He implies that many smart individuals fall prey to this because they overestimate the speed and scale of change that is realistically achievable, particularly in complex professional environments. The pressure to constantly demonstrate tangible, significant impact can overshadow the value of sustained effort, learning, and organic growth.
Avoiding Career Regrets Through Awareness
In his analysis, Shreyas Doshi advocates for a proactive approach to career management, rooted in self-awareness and critical thinking. He suggests that by acknowledging the existence and influence of LinkedIn Envy and the Impact Lie, professionals can better navigate their career paths with a more realistic and fulfilling perspective.
The core message from Doshi is that true career satisfaction is often found not in chasing external validation or immediate, grand outcomes, but in understanding one’s own journey, appreciating incremental progress, and critically evaluating the curated realities presented online. His insights serve as a valuable reminder for professionals to focus on their authentic growth and contributions rather than succumbing to comparison and unrealistic expectations.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Shreyas Doshi on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on October 3, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →