I spend a lot of time in complex systems and data, so I know where the pitfalls and shortcuts lie. I’m so close to this work, and I do these tasks so often that they’re automatic. As a result, I often lose sight of just how remarkable some of this knowledge is, especially to the other people I work with.
But meanwhile, whenever I forget a critical step, or poorly explain something, or feel like the work I’m doing just isn’t quite adequate – It’s a painful reminder of failure. And yet, more often than not, I’m judging myself far harder than needed. I’m overestimating my my deficiencies.
So It’s a helpful to remind yourself anytime you’re feeling stuck or inadequate: chances are, most of your concerns are far overblown, and meanwhile, there’s plenty of great work you are doing that you’re simply failing to take notice of.