On Wednesday, I had a topic for this diary entry but today, the topic eludes me.
On my podcast this week, we shared an episode on what to do after university and I got more feedback than I usually get on the podcast, all positive feedback. It might be your sign to listen (link in footnotes)
This week, technically last week, at work was good. I may have finally started running through the motions and losing excitement, with so much to be done and a sea of information to wade through before every meeting just so I appear knowledgeable in the meetings- it doesn’t matter that I may not understand what I am yapping about. (Would you want me to write about how I am able to do this? i.e posturing as a bank of knowledge at my meetings)
A big round of applause for capitalism
I had a catchup call with my function lead earlier in the week and he was surprised at how much work I had done since joining the company, he went on to ask me if I was overwhelmed by the work. I told him I did not feel overwhelmed, but I did feel like I was constantly being exposed to a lot of information without the required time to process it. I can now confidently say that I have experience working in a fast-paced environment because I have been running since the year began- though not at everyone else’s pace but running, nonetheless. (Definitely putting this on my CV; ‘career professional with ample experience working in a fast-paced organization as a manager)
I have also spent a good amount of time this week trying to find the best certifications and trainings for my role.
As usual the best ones are quite expensive, so I have had to settle for quality, free courses instead.
That’s it about work.
Okay, I know what to share.
Somebody say, “Eureka!”
Whenever I talk about my job, the role, and the responsibilities, I get the same feedback all the time. Different variants of; “you’re doing so well”, “well done”, “I can tell that you enjoy your job.” and so on and so forth.
For someone who has spent only a couple of months in the role and work environment, it always comes as a surprise when I hear this- especially from people that know how long I have been working for.
Eventually, I have realized that: having a proper understanding of your role and the ability to articulately communicate it to others is a sign of responsibility and commitment to the job. This in turn programs your mind to be dedicated to the job function.
Don’t read what I am not saying, so let me expatiate on this point.
When we are working jobs that we are not satisfied with, it becomes easy to mentally check out of the job while considering other options. Recently, ‘quiet-quitting’ has become a popular term coined to describe a consistent behavior of the Gen-Z workforce in such situations.
Speaking highly of your job to others, even when you are dissatisfied with it convinces your brain to believe that you are not as dissatisfied as you may feel, and this allows you to still give a good level of dedication to your performance.
I know of a lady who is not completely satisfied with her current job situation and is constantly applying for other opportunities.
One thing you will never hear this lady do is speak down on her job, and she will not allow you do it either. Any allusions to it will be immediately corrected by her.
I know some people may interpret this action to say she is in denial of her circumstances but in truth, her personal dissatisfaction with her job has not affected her work output partly because of this action.
In encouraging yourself to consistently confess your dissatisfaction and to have it reinforced by others, you are giving your mind the opportunity to brood over everything that is wrong with your job and consciously forget all the good, which will in turn affect your performance.
Don’t allow it.
Writer’s Notes: I know it is late, but better late than never right. Asides from having a 9-5, this writer is involved in several other things that may sometimes take out of her personal time, but this writer remains committed to her audience in spite of the circumstances. In light of this, she has made a decision to always show up for this audience every week.