How often have you gone to work, wondering how sharp everyone you work with seems to be? And how often do you feel like you’re not quite as bright as everyone else? You feel stupid and not good enough at work sometimes. You don’t have to feel that way; you need to know the Things you must occupy your mind with.
The feeling of stupidity at work is a perfectly normal thing, and you would say this if you started comparing yourself with others and doubting your skills and worth to the company.
But if these feelings make you anxious, lower your productivity, or lower your self-esteem, you must find ways to regain yourself.
We all have good and bad moments at work, but when you feel stupid, you know it’s okay to feel down.
But if you remember our tips in this writing, these feelings of insecurity in the workplace will soon go away, and you can recover.
Table of contents
- Why do I feel stupid at work?
- What to do if you feel stupid at work
- 5 Things you must occupy your mind with when you feel stupid at work
- #5. Everyone makes mistakes
- #6. You wouldn’t have been hired if you were foolish
- 7. There is room for improvement
- #8. There is no such thing as perfection
- #9. Stress is bad for you
- #10. You were hired for a reason
- #11. Your life’s accomplishments can be the pick-me-up you need
- #12. Comparing yourself to others doesn’t help you
- #13. You’re not alone
- Conclusion
Why do I feel stupid at work?
Fear can make you feel like a failure for several reasons. People with anxiety in particular tend to have low self-esteem. We don’t tend to think too much about ourselves.
We don’t like ourselves very much and think other people don’t like us. We suffer from cognitive distortions and self-stigmatization. Our thinking is often out of control with reality. Low self-esteem and distorted thinking can easily lead to a social anxiety disorder.
This further undermines our self-esteem and increases our sense of failure, and then we start to say, “I feel stupid at work”.
Second, most people with chronic anxiety are also depressed; nothing makes them more of a failure than depression.
The overwhelming weight of the constant sadness, hopelessness, and hopelessness caused by depression makes you feel like a failure and wonder if life itself has meaning (or meaning).
While doubting your abilities is a lonely person – and you shouldn’t beat yourself up about it – that doesn’t mean you should let it become a pattern.
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What to do if you feel stupid at work
It’s about changing your mindset, focusing on your strengths, and not letting things stop you, which isn’t surprising. Maybe you still hurt, and so does your pride.
The wound is still fresh; you feel completely incompetent now, a little angry with the world and mad at yourself – even if very few admit this, many mistakes at work often call our competence into question.
Many of the things that make thoughtful people feel stupid are usually homemade. Remember, if you feel like you stand behind everyone else, you can always (always) improve. Even if it were all in your head – and it probably is – you would still be on top.
When this feeling of inferiority creeps in, remind you that no one is perfect. As much as we all wish to look like superstars in every professional encounter, it won’t always happen.
Even the best of us feel stupid sometimes. The most important thing is to turn frustration and hopelessness into something positive. Keep this in mind.
5 Things you must occupy your mind with when you feel stupid at work
Here are the things you must occupy your mind with when you feel stupid at work. These tips will boost your self-confidence and reposition your mind from negativity to positivity.
#1. You are your biggest critic
The fact that you are reading this article clearly shows that you are extremely difficult with yourself. After all, it resonated so much with you that you clicked.
And while it is admirable that you have such high standards for yourself, if you don’t just focus on what you could have done better, you won’t be driving yourself crazy.
Do this regularly: at the end of each week, take some time on your calendar to review any positive comments you’ve received over the past few days.
Review emails from co-workers and friends who wanted you to know you did a good job. For you, this can mean taking notes on certain conversations you had in passing.
Whatever you decide suits you, make it a regular event to remind yourself that everyone around you thinks you are great.
#2. Everyone feels inferior at times
Everyone has been in the same boat as you. We all have mistakes and insecurities and can’t help but compare ourselves to our superiors when something goes wrong.
You may think your problems are unique to your situation, but you will be pleased to know that even your boss (and probably Bill Gates) felt the inferiority complex at some point.
There will always be someone at work who is feeling less well compared to their colleagues. Try to reach out to share your feelings.
#3. Your strengths are worth a closer look
Practicing self-love means remembering your strengths; while this may seem impossible when you are feeling stupid, it is important that you brush aside any self-doubt.
“Imposter Syndrome,” as the Harvard Business Review describes, has “feelings of inadequacy that persist despite apparent success.” List your strengths and achievements if you feel “inadequate” in the workplace.
Review the positive feedback you received from your boss and coworkers, or read the brilliant article you published to remember your worth.
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#4. Failure makes you stronger
In the words of Oprah Winfrey, “Failure is another stepping stone to greatness”. If you make mistakes at work, take them as an opportunity to learn from them and improve. Instead of sulking and belittling yourself, celebrate those failures and grow from them.
You may feel like a complete idiot if you miss this email or mess up this presentation, but learning to treat these mistakes as lessons is one way to improve and build your confidence and success.
#5. Everyone makes mistakes
Well, here’s the thing: even the people you’ve never seen made their mistakes. Chances are they were as astute as they were willing to face those mistakes head-on and learn a thing or two from those experiences.
#6. You wouldn’t have been hired if you were foolish
I know how difficult it can be to get rid of a severe case of imposter syndrome. You look around at the people you work with and think, “How did you get here?”
But while it’s hard to believe, you weren’t scary. You have proven smart and will be a great asset to the company, so obviously, you will be a great employee.
However, knowing this on a rational level is not always enough. So, if it’s annoying, talk to your boss about the skills they think you can improve.
And if the answer is, “Nothing, we’re so glad you decided to work for us,” ask, “What skills do I need to get to the next level?” Then do what you have to do to reach this level.
7. There is room for improvement
You can always be prepared to improve if you feel less successful or more valuable than your co-workers. Stop thinking about your mistakes and get rid of negative self-talk. Instead, be active!
Take responsibility for this learning process by writing down a list of things that need to be designed and actionable ways to do them. These can be communication skills, teamwork skills, or problem-solving skills.
Ask your manager or colleague for ideas if you don’t know which areas need improvement.
#8. There is no such thing as perfection
If you feel stupid at work, it is likely due to perfectionism pressures. You are desperate to impress the boss, eager for that promotion, and hungry for that A-Star report.
When you stumble, you feel discouraged. But striving for perfection is a big fat waste of time. It’s incredibly overrated. You have to accept that you may not be able to achieve perfection in every aspect of your job – and that’s perfectly fine.
#9. Stress is bad for you
Worried about forgetting to follow up on an email? Disappointed because you didn’t get a standing ovation after your presentation? Stress over work-related problems is unhealthy and can lead to burnout.
When you wear yourself out with negative thoughts and constantly feel down about your work performance, you put a huge strain on your mental – and physical – well-being. Try to stay positive and shake off any stress at work.
#10. You were hired for a reason
If you feel defeated with your job performance, it is easy to fall into the trap of “my boss hates me” or “I’m not good enough.” But once you start talking rubbish yourself, remember that you were hired for a reason.
Don’t forget that your manager selected you for the position based on your unique skills and abilities. You still work there because you have great value for the company. No matter how big the mistake, always remember your worth.
#11. Your life’s accomplishments can be the pick-me-up you need
If you are puzzled about yourself at work, think about other areas in your life that make you proud. Maybe your kids make you feel successful, or you see great results when you hit the gym.
Read Also: 12 Most Effective Test-Taking Strategies and Tips | Updated
#12. Comparing yourself to others doesn’t help you
If there is any message from this article, it is that you stop comparing yourself to others. You may be jealous of your coworker’s trust or certain skills, but in the end, you are not.
You have remarkable qualities and skills unique to you, and others are not so successful in certain aspects. Know that your contribution as an employee is outstanding and stop comparing yourself to others – it harms your self-esteem, productivity, and work environment.
#13. You’re not alone
When you feel stupid at work, know that you are not alone. There are so many people you can reach for motivation.
As mentioned earlier, others are likely to feel (or have felt) the same as you, so don’t be afraid to share your feelings. Talk to a coworker, friend, or family member and explain why you feel unsafe at work.
They will likely help you realize your worth and that those negative feelings are all on your head.
Conclusion
Many of the things that make smart people seem stupid are usually self-inflicted. Remember, if you feel you stand behind everyone else, you can always (!) Improve. Even if it’s all in your head – which it probably is – you’ll still be ahead.
Think about how far you have come in life and the challenges you have faced that have made you stronger. As you start to feel better, you can also achieve positive attitudes in the workplace.
References
- I feel Stupid at work! 5 Things you must know – NewBalancejobs
- 12 Things to Remember When You’re Feeling Stupid at Work|careeraddict
- 31 Simple Ways to Free Your Mind Immediately – Lifehack
- 3 Things You Need to Remember When You’re Feeling Stupid|themuse
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