[schrodeenger]

There are really only two ways of knowing if you're doing a good job: 1. Your feedback from your peers and/or managers. 2. Your own feedback for yourself.

For #1, It seems you're getting great comments from the places you've been providing your services, so good job there! You can keep riding on that for as long as you're getting them.

For #2, all you need is to remind yourself of questioning if you're doing a good job. Once you seek answers to that question (e.g. I can now play Bohemian Rhapsody on the piano; I improved the memory/performance of that application with great fit & finish, etc.), it will help you define your next set of milestones (e.g. I should try to nail one of Beethoven's now; I should try to design this other feature this other way to ace even more on the memory/performance etc.) You'll soon find yourself questioning again and the very act of seeking a solid next set of milestones to achieve is a sure path to improvement.

Like someone else has commented on this thread, don't beat yourself for being a strict self-assessor and rating yourself lower among your peers, instead a bout of You (a month ago) Vs. You (today) would be a much more reliable indicator of your improvements, and one that's very much within your own control.

The very question you're asking is a proof that you are doing that exercise fairly efficiently! :)