Imposter syndrome is a feeling of self-doubt that affects how workers view their abilities and qualifications when they don’t think they belong or deserve their job. It can affect an employee’s work by impairing job performance, contributing to burnout and reducing overall job satisfaction.

In fact, according to the International Journal of Behavioral Science, around 70% of the population has experienced imposter syndrome at least once.

With an increase in remote work environments, imposter syndrome has worsened due to a lack of in person interaction. Face-to-face interactions can provide feedback through body language, which employees lack when working from home. When working from home, workers can also become
distracted by things such as pets and children. Furthermore, these distractions can increase stress and anxiety, contributing to self-critical feelings about job performance.

All of those factors can negatively impact your wellbeing as an employee. Consider these strategies to help combat imposter syndrome, including when working from home:

Let negative thoughts come and go. Negative feelings towards yourself are common. To combat the anxiety associated with them, it can be helpful to recognize them and avoid giving them further thought. Avoid being too hard on yourself.

Get together with co-workers. If there are in person events at your workplace, consider attending them to interact face-to-face with coworkers. You could also consider scheduling a working lunch or post-work happy hour with a co-worker.

Talk about your experience. Sharing about your experience with imposter syndrome can help both you and those you work with feel less alone. Share your advice with co-workers to help spread knowledge and awareness.

Practice positive self-talk. Practicing affirmations and writing down the facts can weed out the false accusations in your head. Write down the positive ways you contribute to your workplace so you can recognize your accomplishments.

Have self-compassion. Perfection is not possible. When you’re experiencing negative thoughts, it’s essential to be kind to yourself. It’s also important to recognize that you were hired for your role for a reason.

You don’t have to combat imposter syndrome alone. Working remotely can foster feelings of isolation, but imposter syndrome affects millions of workers each year; therefore, it’s important to know you’re not the only one affected. Knowing how to combat it can help you and those you work with.