Do you sometimes think you are “less than” or “not good enough?” Be kinder to yourself.

Remember you are equals: often, our feelings of inadequacy or incompetence in a work setting comes from us not feeling like we are “as good as” or “as important as” someone else. This prevents us from speaking up in a moment of conflict or sharing our ideas fully. Keep in mind that you are on equal footing as your boss, your peers, and those you supervise. Sure, you may speak to your boss with a more deliberate degree of tact, but a title never places anyone’s worth over or below that of another.

Be kinder to yourself: it is true. We are own worst self-critics. That mole you think everyone is glaring at and poking fun of? That slip-up you made at staff meeting? No one but you is focused on those things. They’re noticing your smile, your great idea, and more often than not, they’re too focused on their own blown-up self shortcomings to worry about yours.

Act out the Golden Rule: if you treat others with a glass half-full mentality, giving them the benefit, why not give yourself a break and do the same for yourself? Treating yourself on equal footing with others can help remind you that you deserve the same respect as you give to others.

Keep perspective: check out this Dove Real Beauty sketch experiment – regardless of what you think of the campaign (not going to get into the debate about beauty or racism here – not enough room!), a key takeaway is about how we tend to perceive ourselves far more harshly than others do and that keeping a broader perspective reminds us our flaws are not really flaws: