Do you ever feel like you’re in over your head in the workplace? You might be suffering from impostor syndrome, and it’s important to know how to get over this feeling. Impostor syndrome is a psychological phenomenon where people are unable to internalize their accomplishments, which leads them to believe they are not qualified for specific positions or tasks.

Many people suffer from the impostor syndrome and not just those in high-stress jobs like doctors or lawyers. Anyone can be affected by this feeling of inadequacy. Many famous figures have felt the effects of impostor syndrome as well: Maya Angelou once said that “I’ve written eleven books, but each time I think, ‘Uh oh, they’re going to find out now. I’ve run a game on everybody, and they’re going to find me out”.

It’s important not to let these feelings get you down during your workday! And if you do happen to feel unworthy, there are many steps you can take to overcome these feelings.

Keep reading to find out how. The symptoms of impostor syndrome include:

Feeling Like a Fake or Fraud When Success Happens

Fear that your accomplishments will make people think less of you in the future – Anxiety over making mistakes because they’ll prove how much of an “impostor” you are – Doubt that you’re as good at your job as everyone says (even though there is evidence, like all those awards on your wall)

Not Being Able to Accept Compliments

Being completely uncomfortable receiving praise from others for fear they don’t actually believe their words might not seem so bad now, but these feelings aren’t just annoying; they affect many areas of our lives, such as relationships and work.

What Can You Do About It?

Those with impostor syndrome are good at looking for flaws in their own performance, which is why it’s important to focus on what went well – not just the mistakes that were made.

Positive Self-Talk

Reward yourself when you’ve done something well or learned a new skill, and keep track of your achievements! Remind yourself who got you where you are today by naming all those people who have helped support and encourage you along the way. It might sound cheesy but positive affirmations could also help boost self-esteem. Avoid negative self-talk and think happy thoughts.

Write it Down

Write down three things about yourself that make you proud every day until they sink in. Keep this list somewhere accessible so if ever you feel like an impostor, take a look back at these reminders.

Don’t Compare Yourself to Others at Work

That’s not your job. Be confident in the skills you do have, and don’t be afraid of asking for help when necessary! Don’t put so much pressure on yourself; impostor syndrome is often worse than the situation itself, which can lead us to avoid important problems or challenges altogether.

Don’t Stress the Small Stuff

You might feel like you need to be the best at everything but remember, nobody is perfect. It’s better to focus on doing your job well than worrying about what other people are thinking of you – it doesn’t matter if they think you’re an impostor or not. When big or small mistakes happen, learn from them and move on.

Keep Up the Hard Work

Be proud of your accomplishments, and remember that you deserve to be where you are. You might doubt yourself but the only way to overcome these feelings is by challenging them head-on. It takes courage to face your fears, so don’t give up.

Recognize Your Own Abilities

You might feel like an impostor, but you’re also a hard worker, determined and creative. Focus on the positive things about yourself instead of your downfalls; it’s time to own what makes you great!

Keep Good Company

Surround yourself with people who believe in you and want to see you succeed. If they have a positive attitude, it’s likely that their words will quickly become your own!

Bonus Tip: Create Your Own Success Plan

If the impostor syndrome keeps popping up when you’re trying out something new, create a plan of action with specific steps on how to achieve what you want. This could help you feel more confident in your abilities and reassure you that your actions will get results.

Remember that Impostor Syndrome is Real… But so are You!

It’s very easy to let impostor syndrome get the best of us, but when you acknowledge it, work through it, and find ways to cope with this feeling – you might just come out stronger than ever before.

When it comes down to it, these feelings are completely normal, but they’re only temporary if we know how to manage them. Avoid comparing yourself to other people in similar positions who seem more confident. Not everyone’s path is the same, so that it might take longer for some than others – but that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve the success that comes your way.

If you’re lucky enough to have a great role model or mentor, then work with them and take advantage of their experience and expertise so they can help build up those areas where you feel like an impostor too.

Working with others who share similar qualities as you help boost self-esteem and build a more supportive network.

Even though it might be hard, don’t give up because the benefits of overcoming impostor syndrome far outweigh any small sacrifices you have to make along the way.

The key is to recognize that everyone has moments where they feel like an impostor, so focus on what matters – your work – and keep pushing forward. No one knows everything there is about their career or has all of the answers. Everyone has doubts sometimes. So next time you feel like an impostor, just take a step back and remind yourself that this feeling will pass with time.

Author Bio:

Adam Bielanski is the CEO of Sierra Pacific Group, who puts the “Vision” back in Visionary – Shaping today’s business leaders for tomorrow’s technology business. If you’re ready to start becoming an effective business leader, then connect with him on LinkedIn.