Are you suffering from imposter syndrome? Most people do when they start a new job. It can be a nerve-wracking experience even for the more seasoned professionals. Here are 20 simple ways to become more confident at work so you can hit the ground running. 
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1. Prepare Thoroughly
There’s nothing more stressful than being underprepared for a meeting or presentation. Especially when you’re still building your confidence, take the time to prep yourself by organizing your thoughts and practicing what you want to say.
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2. Come Well-Dressed
Try taking the time to get ready in the morning and choose a proper outfit, even if you work remotely. Wearing professional attire not only changes the way others perceive you but also makes you feel more confident.
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3. Be Organized
We’ve all had that moment of panic when our phone pings, reminding us of an imminent meeting we completely forgot about. Staying on top of tasks by keeping a calendar and checking it frequently will mitigate stress drastically, helping you stay prepared and confident.
4. Seek Feedback
One of the best ways to get better at work is to continuously seek out constructive feedback. Not only will you understand what areas to focus on for improvement, but it will make a good impression on your colleagues and bosses by showing that you care.
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5. Focus on Strengths
It’s easy to be distracted by your perceived weaknesses, but to build confidence focus on your strengths. Once you take some time to reflect, you’ll realize that you have many positive qualities that you can feel good about.
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6. Practice Self-Care
It may seem pointless to you to go to the gym or meditate, but when you spend time focusing on your health and well-being you end up feeling good about yourself and managing your stress better.
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7. Celebrate Small Wins
Although it’s good to reflect on failures so we can learn from them, we often don’t put enough emphasis on our wins. Don’t forget to give yourself a pat on the back, even for the smallest achievements.
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8. Ask Questions
When starting a new job, don’t be afraid to ask questions. This way you have greater clarity and fewer chances of making mistakes. It also gives the impression that you’re committed to learning.
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9. Develop a Routine
Establishing a daily routine can help you work more efficiently and impress your supervisors when you start hitting quotas. Always be thinking of how to organize your day to be more productive.
10. Use Power Poses
You know what they say: fake it til you make it! Practice using poses associated with confidence like placing your hands on your hips, standing tall, and chin up when speaking in meetings. They can make you feel more powerful and make an impression on your colleagues.
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11. Come up With a Personal Mantra
You don’t have to tell yourself you’re the best if you think that’s over the top, but coming up with positive affirmations and repeating them in your mind when you're stressed or feeling down can help improve your mood and build confidence.
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12. Get a Mentor
Think of someone in your workplace or network whose career path aligns with your goals and ask them to be your mentor. Learning from someone you admire is motivating and instills in you a wealth of knowledge and experience that would otherwise take years to accumulate.
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13. Smile More
Studies show that smiling can elevate your mood even if you’re not feeling particularly happy. It also gives off a positive attitude and makes you seem more approachable.
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14. Keep a Success Journal
Journaling your successes daily or weekly is a great way to enhance your confidence. Not only does reflecting on your wins make you feel more positive, but the journal is something you can look back on when you’re feeling down to zap you out of that negative mindset.
15. Stay Informed
Nothing creates that “I got this” feeling like being informed. Being tuned into industry trends and up-to-date with company news helps you feel and sound like you know what you’re talking about.
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16. Embrace Failures
Even the most successful people make mistakes so don’t let yours get you down. The key is to embrace your failures with a constructive mindset so you can learn from them and grow.
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17. Build a Support Network
For days that are really tough, having a network of people (beyond just your mom) who can furnish you with words of encouragement and advice will help you stay positive. Start cultivating those relationships early on because you never know when you’ll need some support.
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18. Set Clear Goals
Setting tangible goals is a great way to grow your confidence. Not only is it satisfying to achieve each milestone, but it also serves as a directional reminder for you so you stay grounded with your intention and don’t lose your way.
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19. Reflect on Progress
It may not seem like you’re achieving a lot in your day-to-day, but take some time to reflect and you’ll realize just how far you’ve come in the past month or year. Thinking about your progress is a great confidence booster because it allows you to appreciate all you’ve accomplished and set new goals for the future.
20. Engage in a Hobby Outside of Work
Whether it’s playing an instrument, creating art, or engaging in athletics, using your leisure time to pursue a hobby is a great way to disconnect from your job, and doing something you’re good at builds confidence in all aspects of life. Nothing can touch you when you’re in your element.
