Feeling self-doubt at work? Here are 3 steps to reframe those negative thoughts

When we make mistakes at work, it can lead to a cycle of negative thinking. The damaging thoughts swirl: “I’m an impostor.” “I’m not smart enough.” “I’m failing at my job.” Feeling like an impostor — doubting one’s own abilities despite a track record of success — is common, especially among women and members of marginalized groups. Even on days when everything’s going right, it can be hard to shift out of a cycle of self-doubt. But there are ways to interrupt that downward spiral. Many people have found cognitive behavioral therapy, a form of talk therapy, helpful to examine internal monologues such as “I’m going to say the wrong thing” or “I’m not good enough” — and replace them with neutral or positive mantras. “What we do in cognitive behavior therapy is help people identify these nega