How do I deal with imposter syndrome in my career?

Imposter syndrome is the persistent feeling that you're a fraud who will eventually be 'found out,' despite evidence of your competence and achievements. It's particularly common in professional settings, where the stakes feel high and comparison with colleagues is constant. This psychological phenomenon affects people at all levels of success, from entry-level employees to CEOs, and can prevent you from taking on new challenges, speaking up in meetings, or pursuing opportunities for advancement. Start by documenting your achievements and positive feedback. Keep a 'success file' where you record compliments from colleagues, successful projects, positive performance reviews, and moments when you solved problems or added value. When imposter syndrome strikes, review this file to remind yourself of concrete evidence of your competence. Often, we discount our successes and amplify our failures, so having a written record helps provide a more balanced perspective. Understand that competence is developed, not innate. Nobody starts out knowing everything, and everyone is learning and growing in their career. The fact that you don't know everything doesn't make you a fraud - it makes you human. Embrace a personal development mindset and view challenges as opportunities to learn rather than tests of your worthiness. Seek feedback from trusted colleagues or mentors. Often, our self-perception is much harsher than how others see us. Ask for specific feedback about your performance and contributions. You might be surprised to learn that others view you as more competent and valuable than you view yourself. Finally, remember that some degree of self-doubt is normal and can even be beneficial. It keeps you humble, motivated to improve, and open to learning. The goal isn't to eliminate all self-doubt, but to prevent it from paralyzing you or holding you back from pursuing opportunities that could help you grow.