Chances are, you're better at your job than you think. Many people suffer from imposter syndrome,
a state of mind (often associated with women) in which they manage to
put their success down to luck, timing, or trickery, and think they
don't "deserve" it. Social conditioning mostly dictates that a woman who is proud of herself
or aware of her strengths is somehow mean, or not humble. Meanwhile,
men often display self-confidence without worrying about the negative
stereotypes associated with it. Probably because when a man is
confident, he's a winner. When a woman is confident, traditionally,
socially, and culturally, she is seen as disruptive, or "other", or
unfeminine.
Maybe
you're doing very well at work. Better than most. Are you still
marginalizing your success? Are you wrapped up in not doing your job
well enough, even if, subjectively, you're excelling? It's time to lose
that attitude. Women, like men, have the right to take pride in their
work, and to vocalize their achievements. We shouldn't have to say
"sorry" for our success, because there's nothing to be sorry for. Shout
how wonderful you are, because I promise you, for every woman that
doesn't raise her voice in her own favor, there are ten men who are
singing their own praises and getting promotions — which is one of the
ways in which both genders continue to foster inequality in the work
force. Here are six ways you're better at your job than you think you
are:
1. You Look Forward To Going To Work
One pretty good indicator that you're good at your job is that you actually like
your job. If you dread going to work in the morning and are sluggish
when you're there as a result, chances are you're not doing your best
work. But if you're enthusiastic, energetic and happy, chances are what
you're producing will be a reflection of that.
2. Your Day Passes Quickly
Days pass slowly when you're bored, or being unproductive. If you're so
focused on your work you look up at the clock and it went suddenly from
10 a.m. to 6 p.m., you're probably doing a pretty good job. Being
absorbed by your work shows commitment and interest, which are both
things that people who are good at their jobs have.
3. You're Constantly Finding New Tasks To Do
I was a real nerd in high school and I really loved class. When I'd
finish my homework I'd find other things to read or do, and then go talk
to my teacher about them. I didn't have many friends, but that's
neither here nor there, because I got perfect grades. If, at work,
you're constantly adding tasks you've come up with yourself to build and
expand on your delegated tasks, you're doing a good job. Going above
and beyond is a key sign that you're fabulous at what you do.
4. You're In Total Control Of Your Zone
Are people coming to you with questions? Can you fire off answers to
those questions without blinking? And if you can't, do you have a
spreadsheet for that? You're good at your job when you're in control of,
and aware of, what's going on around it. If you're asked a question
about your job by a coworker and you can't come up with an answer, no
matter how much you rack your brain, then maybe you need to think about
working harder. But if you're all "I got this," then pat yourself on
your back, because you're good at what you do.
5. Your Desk Is Well Organized
There's a difference between people who have nice desks and people who
don't. People who don't trudge into work everyday, do what they have to
do to get through the day, and leave. I used to be that person. My desk
was dusty and hand nothing but a few sheets of paper and an old phone.
It was a place I went to get money. If your desk is clean, stacked with
work papers and private trinkets or inspirational pictures, then you
probably think of your work space as something more personal. If you're
thinking of your job as something personal, you're probably much better
at it than you think, because it's human nature to try harder when
something has personal meaning.
6. You're Two Steps Ahead Of Your Boss
If your boss asks you to do things and you've already done them (based
off tasks they set a week ago, you having the foresight to get ahead on
other work), then you're good at your job. As someone who has been a
manager, it's wonderful to have staff who think of the things that need
to be done (administratively) to make the things happen that you asked
for to happen. If your boss is constantly having to dictate every tiny
little job to you, your head might not be in the game. And all you
really need to be good at your job is a head that's saturated in game.
source: www.bustle.com
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