3 Simple Ways to Overcome Imposter Syndrome and Build Genuine Self-Confidence at Work
Overcome Self-Doubt and Unlock Career Growth with These Proven Confidence-Building Strategies
Struggling with self-confidence or imposter syndrome? You’re not alone—and the impact on your career can be significant. Imposter syndrome can hold you back from going for a promotion, speaking up in meetings, or contributing your ideas to your team. Left unchecked, it creates a cycle of self-doubt that blocks you from stepping into opportunities that could elevate your career.
I’m a big believer in the power of words to shape our future outcomes. So, if you’ve been labeling yourself as someone with “imposter syndrome,” you might want to stop saying it immediately. The more you tell yourself something, the faster you believe it’s true. Once you believe it, you start acting in a way that supports that belief. People pick up on that energy, treat you accordingly, and in turn, reinforce the belief.
Here’s what I want to remind you: it’s actually just called… learning.
Think about every time you had to learn something new in your life. You probably felt like everyone else was better at it, like they knew more than you, and that you weren’t ready to “own” what you were trying to do. We’ve forgotten how to learn—and that it’s okay to learn as we go. Life, and everything in it, has a learning curve. We have time to figure it out, give yourself grace. Don’t label yourself with something that might block your success while you’re simply doing what every other human on planet has done before you: learning how to do the thing! Don’t let the label keep you from learning.
The good news? Building genuine confidence and expertise is possible when you commit to a few simple but powerful habits. Here are 3 strategies I teach my clients to help them overcome imposter syndrome and start stepping into their greatness:
1. Stop Tearing Yourself Down
Negative self-talk is a habit, and it’s sabotaging your success. If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, I’m not good enough, or They’ll figure out I don’t belong here? Congratulations, you’re human! I’ve been coaching executives, leaders and successful people for over a decade, and all of them have felt this way when they start something new and unfamiliar. But it’s how you deal with those thoughts that either makes you a victim, trapped by them or enables you to conquer them. Because left unchecked these thoughts not only make you feel stuck, but they also stop you from contributing your ideas or taking on new opportunities.
When you catch these thoughts, practice flipping them into their positive opposites—a technique I call Mental Tennis. Instead of thinking, I’ll never be ready for that promotion, reframe it to, I’m ready to grow, and I can learn anything I need to succeed. Over time, this habit shifts your mindset, building genuine confidence through stating the new positive outcome. You begin to show up as the person who is “ready to grow and can learn what they need to succeed.”
*Read my book Think It to learn the details of how you change your thoughts, beliefs and build genuine confidence.
2. Use Confidence-Building Affirmations
Confidence isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you build. And affirmations are a simple, powerful way to rewire your self-beliefs. For example, if you’re holding back in meetings because you feel, I’m not smart enough to speak up,replace that thought with, I bring value to every conversation, or, My ideas are worth sharing.
My favorite affirmations to KILL imposter syndrome:
I am capable of achieving anything I set my mind to.
I bring value to everything I do.
I am ready to do this, my time is NOW!
I am smart, capable and successful.
I deserve success and happiness.
I am learning more every day. I am improving every day.
I am respected and my input is valued.
I am confident, strong and ready!
I deserve a seat at this table and I’m READY to participate!
I am proud of how far I’ve come and excited for what’s ahead.
Write them down where you’ll see them often, and make it a daily habit to repeat them to yourself—out loud if possible. This consistent practice can break the cycle of self-doubt and replace it with empowering beliefs.
3. Level Up Your Self-Pride
When you take care of yourself and show up as the best version of you, it radiates confidence—and that energy can transform your career. Confidence helps you share your ideas in meetings, go after new challenges, and stand out as a leader.
That’s why I created my #SelfPrideChallenge, a FREE 30-day coaching email series that teaches you how to build self-pride, develop better habits, and practice daily confidence-building mottos. Participants have seen incredible results—go sign up and give it a try!
Imposter syndrome doesn’t have to control your career. By building confidence through these small but intentional habits, you’ll be able to contribute more fully to your team, go after that next promotion, and show up as the capable, talented person you truly are.
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What’s one habit or mindset shift that has helped you overcome imposter syndrome? Drop your thoughts below—I’d love to hear them!
About the Author
Sarah Centrella is a sought-after expert in personal development, with over a decade of experience coaching teams and executives at leading companies like Pinterest, Nike, Sony, Verizon, and Morgan Stanley. She is the Founder of VIVIAMO and author of three best-selling books and the creator of trademarked methods that provide actionable strategies for creating purpose-driven lives and thriving workplaces.
This was a great read! Thank you for sharing! I resonate with so much of it. 💕