Need A Confidence Boost? Here Are 10 Signs You're Doing Well At Work

Jobstreet content team – updated on 21 April, 2022

Your boss is constantly giving you assignments. Your days are filled with meetings. You’re always on call. Even when you’re not officially clocked in, you’re wondering if there’s something to be done in the office. You’re busy, tense, but employed and definitely not stagnant. Are these signs that you’re doing well at work?

Feeling like you’re not doing enough even though you’re working like a horse is perfectly normal. Did you know that stress is a major contributor to these feelings of doubts or inadequacy at work? According to reports, Singapore has some of the most overworked populations in the world, with people feeling “ always on ” because they're overworked. In a 2021 survey, seven out of 10 Singaporeans said they felt it was the most stressful year. More than half of the respondents felt they had lost control over their future, 29 per cent lacked motivation, while 26 per cent felt their mental health was declining.

Amid the blurring of lines between work and home responsibilities, more Singaporeans became anxious with COVID cases, all while navigating a new normal of working from home or telecommuting, and adjusting to the country's protocols and circuit breaker measures. Such feelings can lead to a decrease in a professional's level of job satisfaction and productivity, or worse, burnout.

No matter if you have a part-time or full-time job, having a gauge of your effectiveness at the workplace is crucial for you to not just improve on your weak points, but to boost your confidence, too, and feelings of job satisfaction. Thankfully, there are signs that you can watch out for. If that yearly or quarterly performance appraisal is still months away, you can use these indicators to get a feel of your work quality.

1. Co-workers ask you for advice.

If you find your colleagues frequently asking you for advice, it's a clear tell-tale sign that they value your opinion and regard your level of expertise highly. It also means they're comfortable seeking your guidance when they're in challenging situations, and you're considered one of their most reliable colleagues. They would be less likely to turn to someone who does not have sufficient experience or might not give as sensible and practical tips.

2. People at the office are talking positively about your projects.

It's an undeniable marker of excellence when people at work discuss your projects. Whether talked about with their peers, their superiors, or in team meetings, it's indicating that they loved how you tackled that certain initiative and that they were impressed with its results. It's also signifying that your execution is worth replicating in their undertakings.

3. Colleagues speak to you with respect.

While the workplace can harbour more casual interactions, professionals tend to take on a more formal or serious tone when speaking to someone they naturally admire or respect. It's an acknowledgement that they consider you someone well-liked in the company and that you're good at what you do. Some of the most common traits of being everyone's favourite colleague are openness, flexibility, accountability, being a self-starter, team player, and a problem-solver.

4. You're given more tasks.

It may seem like one of the more "unpleasant" signs that you're doing a good job, but there's a reason behind it. When you're given more responsibilities at work, it means your boss trusts that you'll get the job done, and in a way that already has their stamp of approval. It also means they know you can manage your time well and perform efficiently.

5. You can easily communicate with your boss.

It's not every day that a worker can chat with superiors beyond their line managers. If you find yourself easily able to speak to higher-ups, it shows that you're able to develop rapport and friendships with them and that you're confident enough to do so. It also means they're open to interacting with you frequently since they enjoy your company and appreciate hearing your work-related opinions.

6. You've been asked to speak on behalf of the company.

One of the more telling responsibilities you could ever receive is to become an ambassador or a representative for your company. It's a clear indicator that you speak well, know how to present yourself well, and understand the ins and outs of the business. The management trusts in your capacity to deliver the job and to do it well. They know you won't let them down.

7. You get praised, but just not often.

It can be confusing when you sometimes get positive feedback on one project but get zero on another. You may start second-guessing yourself and wonder if you're doing a good job. While your boss' lack of frequent praise may be worrying, it may just be that they don’t feel they need to keep telling you you're performing well and they constantly believe in your capabilities.

8. When you do get praised, they let you know.

It's one thing for people to talk about you positively, and it's another to be informed directly by the people doing the praising. Being told that your boss, colleagues, or clients are extremely satisfied with your work is a clear and straightforward way of letting you know that you are a valuable asset to the team and the company, and you should keep it up. Use this to your advantage so you feel more confident as you go about your daily tasks.

9. Your boss usually assigns you to leadership roles.

Becoming a leader is no walk in the park, and if you're often tasked to be one, it just shows the high level of confidence that your boss and other superiors have in you. If you find yourself frequently asked to guide teams in a project or train new employees, then you can rest assured that it's a sign that colleagues value your expertise and know you can become a role model or source of inspiration. Succeeding on your own is one thing, but leading a pack is another.

10. Your boss entrusts the team to you during their absence.

Another sign that you're doing amazingly at work is when the boss asks you to look after the team or oversee its activities in their absence. Consider yourself their "co-captain": someone next in command who can steer the team in the right direction while he's away. It also signifies that you're someone on which they can constantly rely.

We hope this list of signs, though by no means exhaustive, gives you a renewed sense of self-assurance and confidence in your work performance. If still in doubt, seek feedback if you deem it necessary, and apply improvements where these are needed.

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