How to Get Over Feeling Insecure at Work

When did you ever hear someone say, “I’ve figured out what it takes to be great at my job and I don’t need any learning or upskilling ever.”

My guess is never.

That’s because everyone wants to improve themselves one way or another, whether it is their professional skills or soft skills that make them into better team members and leaders. But you know what’s really holding everyone back? Work insecurities.

Even your boss has it! Believe it or not, no matter how successful you are, there will be times – maybe not as often as you – where a uber-successful person might think, “hmm maybe I got this all wrong….” You know why, because it is only human to have insecurities. These feelings are usually temporary, especially if you’re currently having challenges that go beyond what you’re used to, but insecurities can have a long-term effect on your confidence if you don’t deal with them immediately. Overcoming your workplace insecurities can help you gain confidence in your skills, make you better at what you do, and let you find more joy in your job.

What are some common workplace insecurities? See if you recognise any of these within you:

• Fear of Failing Nobody wants to fail at their job so this insecurity is super common! The problem with not addressing this is that when you are afraid of making mistakes, you tend to stop trying new things and stay in your comfort zone. When you do this, you don’t learn anymore and you don’t show your true potential.
• Performance Anxiety Worrying about meeting your boss’s expectations can cause you to suffer from this – an insecurity where you constantly think you’re not good enough!
• Fear of Losing Your Job When news of downsizing is becoming more rampant these days, it’s no wonder why so many of us have this fear of job stability.
• Fear of Not Progressing in Your Career Feeling stuck in your career can lead you to have insecurities, especially when your colleagues are already advancing so far ahead in their role. You feel like you’re not good enough (another common workplace insecurity), which can trickle down to other parts of your life where you feel like you’ll never be good enough.
• Fear of Rejection Nobody wants to be rejected, whether it is for a promotion or when they present a new idea. It’s a huge blow to your confidence!

Acknowledging these insecurities is the first step towards addressing workplace insecurities. Now, here’s what else you can do to build a more resilient mindset and thrive in your career.

#1 Consider discussing your insecurities with your manager
Say you’re worried you’re not performing in your role. But are these concerns valid? Unless your boss has said something that made you think that, oftentimes many of us constantly think we’re never good enough. The real picture may be that you are good at your job! To get this validation, speak to your manager and find out how you are really doing. It’s a good way to discuss your concerns and find out ways you can do better. If you’re already doing well and your boss says so, it’s a great way to boost your confidence and want to do more!

#2 Set realistic goals
On whose standards are you setting your insecurities against? We are our worst enemies, being too hard on ourselves with unrealistic, too-ambitious goals. Before you hide behind that cloak of insecurities, get feedback from colleagues or even clients on your work quality so far. Make a list of the things you’ve achieved and compare that to your missteps. More importantly, consider focusing on continuous improvement rather than perfection.

#3 Advocate for yourself
This works especially if you have the insecurity of being unappreciated or of being unnoticed. Not feeling recognised for your hard work can make you wonder if all those hours you put in is worth it. But if you don’t make your achievements known, then who will? Express your accomplishments to your manager by way of seeking feedback on your work so far. Do a self-audit every quarter – list down everything you’ve achieved and what you plan to do next. Keep that list and check in again the next quarter. Knowing that you’ve achieved most of what’s on the list will help quash this insecurity!

#4 Focus on yourself
Constantly comparing yourself to others can fuel all kinds of insecurity. Instead, focus on your progress and accomplishments, and use those as your own benchmarks – not what others have achieved. This is how you celebrate your unique strengths and how you upskill yourself based on what you think you lack.

What are some of your work insecurities? Share them with us @Graduan!

Photo by Resume Genius on Unsplash.