Ever feel incompetent?
Join the club. We all go through it.
Incompetence is a perfectly normal, albeit it uncomfortable feeling. Sometimes is about not knowing a new platform at work. Other times it is blanking in the middle of a presentation when our brain takes an unexpected break. And sometimes, it is being asked to respond to an inquiry on a topic where our knowledge is at a C level and we expect at least a B is needed to not sound like an idiot.
Yes, it is uncomfortable. But isn't that where growth comes from? Granted, you never want to fake it until you make it at work, or in life. But those times when we feel the journey, either momentarily or over time, is difficult, we do grow. But we have to strengthen our stick-to-itness to make it.
How do we do it?
Some of us start by talking to a trusted colleague, letting our guard down (can you say - being vulnerable???), getting some tips or a quick tutorial, and doing our best (with plenty of written notes).
Another strategy is buying ourselves a bit of time to get up to speed. Fall back to those late nights cramming in college. It's kind of like that.
What about reminding ourselves that perfection isn't always expected and digging deep into the confidence bucket to give it a try?
If you care enough to head into the uncertainty, struggle through, get better, and move to the next phase...well heck, that's growth. Yes, that last step may mess with us but hey, it messes with everyone!
And when you come out alive on the other side, you'll see that incompetence isn't all that bad.
Check this out. And...hey....happy Monday! The weather must get better, right? Make the most of it.
There are times when others make us feel inferior. Incompetent. Never ever good enough. And while what they put upon us is often more about them, there are some strategies that help us deal with those individuals. Take a gander at this quick read....great tips.
Found this and it's great! It's a clip from psychologist Jordan Peterson. Less about the professional world and more about life in general. He provides great insights in this short clip about how self-consciousness affects us, and how we can get beyond it. A short 6 minutes. Give it a shot!
* Share it.
Can you print these and share them? Notes to colleagues about stories and sharing....and about rebounding when we question our own strength and worth and competence.
It's worth a shot, right? Now go slay yet another week.
