Ever have that "only as good as your last win" feeling? It's hard not to. We swipe and click, seeing everyone else’s wins at lightening speed. We face pressure at work. Our successes can feel great in the moment, but then the comedown hits. We wonder: am I going to be able to pull it off again? My column this week is all about how to ride the roller coaster of work, sustaining your creativity and sense of self no matter what praise or wins you're racking up in the moment -- or not. (I wish someone had explained to me earlier in my career that the lows are just part of the deal -- and also, not *that* big of a deal.) Click through for advice and stories and tell me: how do you block out the noise and enjoy the ride that is having a career? https://lnkd.in/eWNWp4bf
Michael Gardon
3mo
Develop an internal scorecard instead of an external one. Unfortunately dangling “wins” infront of us is one way corporates keep us in the rat race. When you win by your own scorecard you break that dependence Rachel.
Amanda Giles
3mo
When we experience a win, our "normal" shifts, and we can lose sight of where we are now and where we used to dream of being. It is beneficial to have ambition, but not at the expense of your well-being. Our ambition should align with and support our well-being. Shifting to intrinsic motivation from extrinsic motivation can help to overcome post-win blues. Your wins are then gained from doing something because you enjoy it or are personally satisfied with it as opposed to seeking an external reward or validation.
Dexoc
3mo
Such a refreshing reminder that the highs and lows are all part of the journey! Can't wait to dive into the advice and stories.
Tarun Sakhrani
3mo
This is such a good post and so relevant. It's not only about career wins right? We are also looking for that high or that rush that comes from a social media like, or acknowledgment. It's just how we are wired as humans - to want that attention. And therefore, it is nice to sometimes be able to take a step back and think about it, but also disconnect from it. As someone said in one of the other comments, "this too shall pass" and while the highs will last only so long, so too will the lows. Disconnecting from it, taking a step back and appreciating it for what it is at the time will be extremely important to maintain a bit of a level head. Loved the write up - and welcome back Rachel.
As usual, a fine story by Rachel Feintzeig. A rule that I follow and that I share with my team is to savor the highs, but don't get drunk on your awesomeness. The same holds true for the lows: yes, you've hit a bump - but shake it off: no fail is as devastating as it seems, and you'll survive. Maintaining this kind steady energy throughout all of the up/down turbulence of your career journey will keep you clear-headed and focused. It's a perspective that comes from maturity and experience, but it's an invaluable skill to develop if you can fine tune it even if you're just getting rolling on your path.
Shanna Hocking
3mo
Yes, I had this feeling for much of my early career. Especially as a fundraiser where we would raise hundreds of millions of dollars each fiscal year and then start at zero. Over time, I learned to recognize and celebrate my progress, which helps sustain your energy and motivation. A few ways I did this: writing down one thing I was able to make progress on each day; celebrating moments where I learned, moved something forward, or grew (what I called a Bold Move.) On a larger scale, I created a New Year’s Eve party to celebrate the end of the fiscal year at work, so before we moved on to starting all over again, we remembered the importance of celebrating, together. Thank you for sharing this piece, Rachel—one of my fave topics!
Shawna Samuel
3mo
Work is a long game, and our "stock price" can rise and fall on the daily. Each win (or loss) feels like the biggest deal in the world when you're in it, but will it matter in a year or two? 95% of the time, the answer is no. Cultivating the long-term view helps me put things in the appropriate perspective.
The "lows" are definitely part of the professional growth process. As I'm on the late side of my career, I've learned to embrace them, as much as the "highs." That's where the learning often comes from.
CEO, Third Factor • Teacher, UNC & Queen's • Speaker • Author, The Power of Pressure • Coach
3moI often turn to those age old wise words that will make a sad person happy and a happy person sad: "this too shall pass." Don't get too high on your wins, or too down on your misses - it's all transitory.