How Can I Rebuild My Confidence and Feel More Secure at Work?

Dear eNotAlone: I feel stressed and overwhelmed in my workplace. I feel like everyday I'm not given enough tasks to finish, so I don't have much to do, but I'm also exhausted from constantly having to think about what to do next. At the same time, I feel like my manager doesn't trust me to get anything done. I feel like no matter what I do, I'm not going to be good enough and that's affecting my work experience and my self-esteem. I just want to feel more confident and capable at work, but I don't know how to make that happen.

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Nobody likes to feel insecure and uncomfortable in their job. The feeling of inadequacy can be emotionally and mentally draining and it can cause problems such as difficulty concentrating and completing tasks. If you are struggling with feeling insufficient and overwhelmed at work, there are steps you can take to regain your sense of worth and confidence.

The first step is to recognize that your concerns are valid. It's okay to be worried or anxious about your performance at work, especially if you're not being given clear direction or enough work. It's important to remember that you have control over how you react to these worries. If you continually focus on the negative, you won't be able to 100% focus on what you can do instead.

The next step is to voice your concerns. In some cases, coworkers and managers may not realize how overwhelmed you feel, so it's essential that you communicate clearly and respectfully. Be sure to explain why you feel overwhelmed and the effect it is having on your performance. This should allow your manager to better understand your situation and help you strategize solutions.

It may also be helpful to consider ways of improving your skills outside of work. Investing in your education and personal development is a great way to make yourself feel more secure and confident in your job title. From coding classes to productivity seminars, you have many options to pursue. This will not only lead to increased efficiency and productivity at work, but also provide evidence that you're committed to performing better.

You can also find strength and solace in empowering yourself by learning to trust in your own capabilities. Everyone makes mistakes. It's inevitable, but they never define who you are. Having the courage to recognize your strengths and weaknesses will help you go above and beyond to prove your worth.

Remember that no matter how hard you work, only you can build your own self-confidence and succeed at work. If you learn how to embrace failures, remain resilient and stay positive, you will be much more likely to excel and show your true potential.