Most of us have heard of imposter syndrome - it’s that fear that people will find out that you are a fraud in your chosen vocation; that you do not, in fact, know what you’re talking about; that you just talk a good game, but are just faking it; that you’re a dilettante posing as the real thing.
Often times, past failures and setbacks make us think that we are imposters. Insufficient recognition from others makes us think we are imposters. Being between gigs for too long makes us feel that we are imposters. Look at all the construction projects in this city. Eventually, many of these will be complete, and there will be less work for construction workers, architects, masons and others. Will that mean those professionals are imposters?
Expertise creeps up on you. You aren’t always aware of how far you’ve come, how much you’ve learned. It’s important to periodically take stock of your experience. If nothing else, 5, 10 or more years plugging away at a vocation makes it almost impossible that you’ve gained no expertise. This is intuitive. Even if you’re not the most innately talented person in your chosen trade, if you’ve been at it a while, you’ve learned at least a little.
Be realistic - maybe you’re not the best, but that does not an imposter make.