What To Do When You Feel You’re Just Not “Good Enough” at Work

Lately, you’ve been worried that you just aren’t measuring up at work. Every time you come into the office, you feel stressed. You fear your boss is noticing. And you wonder if your coworkers actually appreciate you, or if they feel you can’t keep up with them.

The thought that you simply aren’t good enough is holding you back. You question if you really deserve your job, or if you might be on your way out. Chances are, you’re doing just fine at work, but you might not be aware of your skills and accomplishments.

Here’s how to focus on your own progress while seeking chances to learn more.

Ask For Feedback

It never hurts to ask for feedback. Maybe you have a performance review coming up, or maybe you just want to talk to your boss about areas where you could improve. It’s okay to reach out and ask for a time to meet.

If someone in your office provides you with feedback, make sure to listen openly. Be ready to apply their suggestions for improvement. Remember, constructive criticism is meant to help you move forward!

Reframe Your Thoughts

Do you ever tell yourself that you’re a failure at work? Or maybe you catch yourself thinking that you haven’t earned your position. If you’re dwelling on negative thoughts like these, it’s time to work on reframing your thoughts.

Instead, think about your setbacks as challenges that you are working on the skills to overcome. Perhaps you’ve learned what doesn’t work in a particular scenario. Or perhaps you’ve become more resilient because you’ve been tasked with working through tough obstacles.

Note Your Small Accomplishments

Step back for a moment and reflect on your past few months, or even past few years, at your job. Think about everything you have learned since your very first day. If you think carefully about it, you have probably accomplished much more than you realized.

Maybe you’ve learned new software programs, had the opportunity to lead others, suggested great ideas to your boss, or been entrusted with more responsibility. No matter what your role is, you have brought something valuable to your team during your time in your job.

Seek Learning Opportunities

What if you feel insecure because some of your coworkers possess helpful skills that you just haven’t gotten the hang of yet? You can get proactive about learning new things on the job.

It might be a little nerve-wracking, but this could be a good time to inquire about opportunities to work on different projects, attend certain trainings, or get certified in new areas. You could also further your progress by taking classes outside of work. In addition, you could start volunteering to expose yourself to new situations.

Rather than waiting for someone to present you with chances to learn, you can put yourself out there!

Evaluate Your Environment

What if you’ve been trying to put your best foot forwards for months - but you’re still not seeing much improvement at work? Maybe it’s not a mindset problem.

In some cases, people end up working in toxic environments with poor management. If you suspect that this is the case, it never hurts to let people in your life know that you’re open to new job opportunities. And you could also send out some applications to other companies in your area that are hiring.

Finding a job where you can thrive is of the utmost importance.

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Are you struggling with your self-esteem at work? Talking to a therapist can help. Reach out to us today to discuss your options for scheduling your first session.