Young professional battles impostor syndrome

DEAR HARRIETTE: I worked in the service industry during high school and college to fund my education, and I recently graduated and started my first job in a competitive corporate environment. I’ve always been ambitious and eager to prove myself, but I find that I often struggle with self-doubt and impostor syndrome. Despite receiving praise from my team and supervisors for my innovative ideas and dedication, I constantly fear that I’m not as talented or experienced as my peers, many of whom had fancy internships or didn’t work during college. This insecurity affects my confidence during client meetings and creative brainstorming sessions. How can I overcome these feelings of inadequacy to fully embrace my role and excel in my career? — Ambitious New Professional DEAR AMBITIOUS NEW PROFESSIONAL: The best way I know to get rid of low self-confidence is to adopt an attitude of service in all of the work that you do. You have experience already in the service industry, so draw upon that. Approach your work as solving a problem and serving the moment. Prepare carefully and thoroughly so that you know the material and are ready to participate at any given engagement. Rather than presenting yourself from the perspective of how great you are — or not — focus on the content of your work and how your delivery will positively impact others. That shift in approach can transform your feelings about yourself.