[practicalpants]

Knowing your age and stage in career would make it easier to give a helpful response. I can relate to that anxiety when I was first getting my career started, but it all lessened as I aged a bit and became more competent in my domain.

But if you aren't simply fresh out of college, and notice the same pattern in other areas of your life too, then you have something that's in your interest to address.

I know you're not seeking 'an answer' but, the best advice I can give is be motivated primarily by what you want. I remember reading an article on HN that's stuck in my mind about showing up everyday, taking what you want from your job, and then simply wait to get fired. As in, don't orient yourself around others' demands (to guarantee employment), but orient yourself around what you want to get out of it, and if you get fired then you get fired.