How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome and Enhance Self-Esteem in your Career Path?

Juliet had always been a go-getter. With years of marketing experience under her belt, she finally landed her dream job in a prestigious company. She walked into the office on her first day with her head held high, fueled by excitement and ambition.

At first, she worked tirelessly, pouring her heart and soul into every project. But no matter how hard she tried, her line manager always seemed dissatisfied. Feedback came like punches: “This isn’t good enough,” or “I can’t work with this.” Each critique chipped away at her confidence, and soon, the spark in her eyes dimmed.

She began questioning herself: “Did I lie about my skills? Am I even good enough to be here?” The vibrant woman who once eagerly brainstormed ideas now avoided speaking up in meetings, retreating into silence. On the rare occasions she was asked for input, her response was always the same: “Whatever you guys think works.”

Mondays became her enemy. Fridays felt like a lifeline. And somewhere between the dread of her alarm clock and the relief of the weekend, Juliet lost herself. She wasn’t just battling imposter syndrome; she was fighting the silent thief called low self-esteem, and it was winning.

Imposter Syndrome vs. Low Self-Esteem: Key Differences

“We don’t see things as they are; we see them as we are.” – Anaïs Nin

Imposter syndrome and low self-esteem often blur into one messy narrative of self-doubt. But they are not the same:

• Imposter Syndrome makes you feel like a fraud despite evidence of success. It whispers, “You don’t deserve this.”

• Low Self-Esteem affects your overall sense of worth. It screams, “You are not enough.”

While imposter syndrome is situational and tied to specific achievements, low self-esteem casts a shadow over every aspect of life—from work to relationships to personal growth.

Signs of Low Self-Esteem

“You are confined only by the walls you build yourself.” – Andrew Murphy

Low self-esteem doesn’t always announce itself loudly. Instead, it creeps in subtly, manifesting through behaviors and thoughts like:

• Fear of taking risks.

• A constant need for validation.

• Avoiding praise because it feels undeserved.

• Overthinking every decision.

When left unchecked, low self-esteem becomes a cycle: negative thoughts lead to negative actions, which reinforce the negative thoughts.

Breaking the Cycle: Habits That Harm vs. Habits That Heal

5 Habits That Harm Self-Esteem

“Comparison is the thief of joy.” – Theodore Roosevelt

1. Constantly comparing yourself to others. (“Why does everyone seem more successful?”)

2. Letting your self-worth depend on others' opinions. (“If they don’t approve, I must be wrong.”)

3. Wallowing in self-pity. (“Nothing ever goes right for me.”)

4. Obsessing over who isn’t there for you. (“Nobody even checks on me.”)

5. Dwelling on your mistakes. (“I’m such a failure.”)

5 Habits That Build Self-Esteem

“You cannot pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first.” – Unknown

1. Focus on your strengths daily. (“What am I proud of today?”)

2. Silence negative voices, both external and internal. (“Whose voice is this, and why does it matter?”)

3. Learn from your past without living in it. (“What can I take from this experience?”)

4. Help others without expecting anything in return. (“How can I make someone’s day better?”)

5. Practice gratitude. (“What is one thing I’m thankful for right now?”)

Rewriting Juliet’s Story

What if Juliet had responded differently to her manager’s critiques? Instead of absorbing the negativity, she could have:

• Focused on her input thoughts by reaffirming her capabilities: “I’m learning and improving every day.”

• Looked at criticism as feedback, not a personal attack: “This is an opportunity to grow.”

• Invested in self-care to build her resilience: “I’m more than my job performance.”

Juliet’s story would have been different if she had learned to separate her worth from her work.

How to Overcome Both

Whether you’re facing imposter syndrome or low self-esteem, remember: “Your value doesn’t decrease based on someone’s inability to see your worth.”

Imposter syndrome fades when you build confidence in specific areas, while low self-esteem heals when you transform your overall mindset. Both require you to focus on what you can control: your thoughts, your actions, and your self-perception.

You are not alone…

We’ve all had days where the mirror feels like a liar, where criticism cuts too deep, and where doubt sits like an uninvited guest at the table of our dreams. But the beauty of being human is that every day offers a chance to rewrite the script.

And remember, if all else fails, borrow some advice from comedian Tina Fey: “Do your thing, and don’t care if they like it.”

At the end of the day, the only person who truly needs to believe in you is YOU. And that’s something worth smiling about.

Till i write to you again- don't forget there are no impossibilities , just solutions unexplored!

✍

Yours,

Yemi Solves