Bracing myself for some rude comments but I’m feeling vulnerable. Right now, I’ve been working my butt off since I’ve entered the industry. I’m a little shy of 4 years now but I can’t escape the mindset of feeling like a loser/failure.

Any tips from others who share this sentiment? Advice? Books to read? Videos to watch? I feel like I’m spiraling in the air right now.

Please do not recommend Gary Vee motivational videos. They slingshot me into a deeper hole. Haha.

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Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

Try looking up "imposter syndrome" and see if that resonates

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Damn Good Advice
Any book by Hegarty
Hey Whipple
Junior

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Yes. Hey Whipple for sure. Also I know the author Luke and his whole philosophy is sometimes you have to tell yourself “you suck” so you keep pushing to be better. Not saying to beat yourself up constantly but what you’re feeling is normal and you’re not alone. I don’t know a single creative who is 100% happy with their work or doesn’t compare themselves to others and think “wow I suck” sometimes. And that’s why we’re constantly pushing our work and growing. If you think you’re perfect already there is no room for improvement. Keep building your skills and building your confidence. You got this.

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The war of art

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For a long time I had the feeling that everyone else was doing genius work but me, therefore I was never good enough. So here is a tip: know that it's not true. Someone right next to you might be feeling the same way. This industry compares more than mentors. Look at your work from 3 years ago, you'll see how you got better. Keep working hard, it will pay off.

likesmarthelpful

i know it sounds like more work, but find or start a side project that taps into a passion of yours to have a fulfilling creative outlet. it helps feed the soul.

the. you’ll realize this is all just a job.

likehelpful

Start trying to identify those who are faking it from those who are genuine. And then try and learn from the latter. Or ask them to take you under their wing.

So many bullshitters in this industry talking nonsense at 100 mph. Makes you doubt yourself.

But if you try and keep things simple, avoid the jargon, and take pride in your ideas and craft, then you’ll find success.

Good luck.

likehelpful

You may be burning out. Look up burnout symptoms. It happens.

For me, I need to step back every now and again and take a break.

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I’ve dealt with this in and outside of work. My advice is to ask you peers and managers for honest feedback.

I can almost guarantee you’re not a loser or failure, but identifying real areas where you can improve will give you goals and benchmarks to work towards and measure your growth.

In my experience, measuring my improvement/ success provides me with the evidence I need to prove myself wrong.

helpful

What makes you think you’re a loser? Is there something specific that happened?

High standards are a good thing, but you also have to be okay with knowing they won’t always be met. Clients disappoint. So do CDs. So do account peeps. Took me way too long to learn that.

helpful

Look, you haven’t had long enough to totally fuck up your career and future. This stuff can still be a lot of fun. There’s a lot of cool people who do the exact same thing you’re doing and wonder if they’re any good at it. You’re here bc you have talent and a high tolerance for pain. Don’t focus on the end game too much and you might just enjoy the ride.

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Wednesday Daily Quordle #58
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Can anyone provide insights into Corporate Finance Institute’s Financial Modeling and Valuation Analyst certification? Worth it?

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likesmart
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Can ya guess which one Barkley is?

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likesmart

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