I’ve been brooding about a work project for at least two months. I didn’t have clarity about what I was expected to deliver. There are full time people in all the other business segments and functions doing what no-one ever trained me to do. I wasn’t included in all the meetings they got to go to. The process changed in the last year and “everyone” is confused. And when I asked my boss to clarify her expectations, I got the distinct impression she was annoyed – like I was supposed to know what I was doing.
Suffice it to say, I became overwhelmed by my fear of failure on this project and slipped into near-paralysis. I wasn’t ignoring the work altogether; I was letting it percolate in the background. This is often a successful approach for me…semi-inattention…let the sub-conscience work it out.
Only not this time. I had to face the project head-on and start with a single concrete step. I actually took two: I set up a two-hour meeting with a colleague I’d never met, but who was an expert on the process, and I confessed my anxiety and paralysis to a trusted friend who didn’t judge me. She mostly listened as every perceived obstacle and companion fear spilled out of me. And then she got me to start thinking more logically through some questions. Never underestimate what a small amount of encouragement and acceptance from a friend can do. I’m still off-balance with the project, but not overwhelmed. This too shall work out. They say that you are growing the most when you are uncomfortable and a little afraid of your work assignment. It’s nice to know I’m still growing and learning, even after all these years of experience. It’s why I like my job as much as I do.
Suffice it to say, I became overwhelmed by my fear of failure on this project and slipped into near-paralysis. I wasn’t ignoring the work altogether; I was letting it percolate in the background. This is often a successful approach for me…semi-inattention…let the sub-conscience work it out.
Only not this time. I had to face the project head-on and start with a single concrete step. I actually took two: I set up a two-hour meeting with a colleague I’d never met, but who was an expert on the process, and I confessed my anxiety and paralysis to a trusted friend who didn’t judge me. She mostly listened as every perceived obstacle and companion fear spilled out of me. And then she got me to start thinking more logically through some questions. Never underestimate what a small amount of encouragement and acceptance from a friend can do. I’m still off-balance with the project, but not overwhelmed. This too shall work out. They say that you are growing the most when you are uncomfortable and a little afraid of your work assignment. It’s nice to know I’m still growing and learning, even after all these years of experience. It’s why I like my job as much as I do.