If you professionally doubt yourself: Your ability, your experience, your contribution, read on

Much has been written about ‘impostor syndrome,’ defined as:

“The persistent inability to believe that one's success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one's own efforts or skills.”

Persistent belief - Make the only persistent thought you have, knowing that from the moment you were hired, your expertise and experience were regarded as legitimate.

Deserved success – Sometimes you will play a greater part in team success and sometimes less. You are/we all are, constantly learning. But, the key to giving yourself every chance of actively contributing to team success is to empathize with those around you, with those you are paid to help!

Be clear what makes them successful? Understand what their motivations are be they (creative/account or client) and therefore know how you are expected to provide value and how you can help them. Ask questions/do not assume answers – Be clear, what are their expectations of you? Know this and you will know what you are supposed to be doing well. Will you still doubt yourself if you do this, quite possibly, but the more your work serves to elevate others, the more you will feel comfort in your professional skin.

Legitimately achieved – Remember that your valuable contribution is not typically supposed to be stand out decisive (but ‘great’ when it is) but you will play your part. Possibly you doubt an area of expertise and therefore your legitimacy. Regard identification of a skill deficiency as an opportunity not a problem. (A real problem is when things are not working out and you can’t identify why.) Even as you bolster your expertise, this won’t mean you necessarily cease to doubt yourself, but it will mean you have a better ability to deliver quality work.

Finally, always remind yourself, when you feel chronic self-doubt, even the most confident person around you if they are honest, would say that they too had experienced doubt (and not just moments).