Regardless of where you are in your career, there are always times where you may feel like you are in over your head or like you are out of place at work.  Whether you’ve been promoted or you’re starting a new career path, you may feel scared or doubtful that you know what you’re doing.  While it ultimately takes time before you’re more comfortable or confident, there are always ways to help you get there faster.  Try these tips to speed up the process of feeling more confident in the workplace:

Act the part

While the actual job may still give you jitters, there are simple habits that can help you feel better right away.  For starters, you can change your wardrobe to fit the part.  Whether you’re in a corporate office or at a startup, dressing up—even just a little bit—is proven to boost your confidence.  Additionally, you can go above and beyond by arriving earlier in the morning.  When you get even a ten minute head start on your day, you’ll be amazed how you can feel more accomplished.

Practice positive thinking

The more you tell yourself that you can’t do something, the more likely it is to be true.  Not only does this mean that you should speak positively out loud toward your coworkers, but it also means that you should think positively toward yourself.  If you catch yourself in a negative thought pattern, it is important to take a minute and correct yourself.  The more you tell yourself that you are capable of accomplishing your goals, the more likely you are to succeed in doing so.

Try to learn more

Often, what can cause us to doubt ourselves is the fear of the unknown.  Once again, the more you learn in your new role, the more comfortable you’ll become.  Whether it’s picking up a new skill set or learning new aspects of the company, there is always more to absorb.  In the process, you’ll find that the only reason you lacked confidence is that you didn’t know that you could do it.

Practice makes perfect

Another common reason you may feel unsuccessful is that you failed at something and it shook you up a little.  While this is totally normal, it does no good to sulk.  If you weren’t doing something properly, the best solution is to get back on the horse and practice until you are finally mistake-free.  Again, you’ll find that learning how to correct your mistakes will prove to you that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.

Learn your strengths

As important as it is to correct your mistakes, learning where your strengths lie is equally important.  In the same way, when you know you’re really good at something, this can help you boost your self-esteem.  Once you learn the ways in which you excel, it may help you figure out how to improve in areas where you struggle.  Plus, if you feel a moment of self-doubt, you’ll know what kind of work can help you feel more assured in your abilities again.

Ask questions

As always, no matter the situation, don’t be afraid to ask questions.  If you’re ever unsure of something, most employers agree that it’s better to ask than to act incorrectly.  While it may sting your pride a bit, the faster you learn about your role and the company, the quicker you’ll feel capable of handling the challenges ahead.