What you wrote about validation and the workplace resonated with me. If I don’t have a life outside of work, I begin to expect way too much from my work, supervisor, colleagues, and customers. It’s not up to them for me to feel good about who I am or what I do. Granted, it is a good practice for an employer to recognize employees for their contributions periodically. And we all need encouragement. But just in case we don’t receive acknowledgement, what is our backup plan to keep us from discouragement or even resentment? This topic may easily veer into one of those “how do you know when it’s time to quit your job” conversations; but I think much of the time our dissatisfaction comes from sources within.
These are good points. I used the word “validation” and probably could have swapped out “recognition.” In my experience, the service occasionally tried to recognize and encourage its members, but what my job really always provided was “feedback.” Good or bad, action or inaction, aircrew or ops floor, almost everything I did (or didn’t do) generated feedback, typically immediately.
You mention a lack of acknowledgement - I think that’s more what I was trying to address. Working with little to no feedback or acknowledgement is something I am unaccustomed to. That led me to realize what you said: much of our dissatisfaction comes from sources within. An article on validation should prove fun to write. :) Thanks for your thoughts!
I have a story about perfectionism. Lots, actually. One day I complained to a friend about the weeds growing in a patch of dirt/old mulch in my front yard. I was in grad school and didn’t have much free time. My friend challenged me to not only let the weeds be… but to also be grateful for them. I took up the challenge. But the weeds only lasted maybe two or three days before my perfectionism took over and I spent precious time pulling them out. I really couldn’t afford to do this time-wise, and it is because of my perfectionism that my thesis was a semester late. I let a patch weeds and many other things break my concentration and steal my time. I still can’t let the weeds grow and I often overdo it when I need to take it easy! If I really worked at it, I know I’d improve, but I really don’t want to. Not at this. The weeds still have to go!
I can totally relate to your struggle with the weeds. That is an excellent example of perfectionism. This illustration probably belongs in an article. Thanks! :)
What you wrote about validation and the workplace resonated with me. If I don’t have a life outside of work, I begin to expect way too much from my work, supervisor, colleagues, and customers. It’s not up to them for me to feel good about who I am or what I do. Granted, it is a good practice for an employer to recognize employees for their contributions periodically. And we all need encouragement. But just in case we don’t receive acknowledgement, what is our backup plan to keep us from discouragement or even resentment? This topic may easily veer into one of those “how do you know when it’s time to quit your job” conversations; but I think much of the time our dissatisfaction comes from sources within.
These are good points. I used the word “validation” and probably could have swapped out “recognition.” In my experience, the service occasionally tried to recognize and encourage its members, but what my job really always provided was “feedback.” Good or bad, action or inaction, aircrew or ops floor, almost everything I did (or didn’t do) generated feedback, typically immediately.
You mention a lack of acknowledgement - I think that’s more what I was trying to address. Working with little to no feedback or acknowledgement is something I am unaccustomed to. That led me to realize what you said: much of our dissatisfaction comes from sources within. An article on validation should prove fun to write. :) Thanks for your thoughts!
I have a story about perfectionism. Lots, actually. One day I complained to a friend about the weeds growing in a patch of dirt/old mulch in my front yard. I was in grad school and didn’t have much free time. My friend challenged me to not only let the weeds be… but to also be grateful for them. I took up the challenge. But the weeds only lasted maybe two or three days before my perfectionism took over and I spent precious time pulling them out. I really couldn’t afford to do this time-wise, and it is because of my perfectionism that my thesis was a semester late. I let a patch weeds and many other things break my concentration and steal my time. I still can’t let the weeds grow and I often overdo it when I need to take it easy! If I really worked at it, I know I’d improve, but I really don’t want to. Not at this. The weeds still have to go!
I can totally relate to your struggle with the weeds. That is an excellent example of perfectionism. This illustration probably belongs in an article. Thanks! :)