The past few months have been difficult for me. This is the first time I have written about my job since starting the site because, to be honest, I’ve been ignoring the need to talk about it.
My job comes with a lot of criticism and judgments (usually negative ones) from others. I am the director of marketing for a publishing company. My group is responsible for creating all of the products our customers use and the tools our sales representatives use to acquire and retain our customers. The loudest amount of “noise” comes from the sales reps and their managers. I’m usually a bull’s eye and punching bag when a sales quota is missed or a sought-after prospect is not signed as a client. Typically, my products and marketing support are blamed for the lack of success instead of their own efforts.
It’s hard to take a step back from this and take a real look at the facts. I haven’t been happy at work for a while now. So, who am I to create an entire website about achieving happiness and personal development? The answer is simple: I’m working on being happy at work. The key is here the “ing” ending to the word “work.” I’m not staying I have achieved happiness or I have accomplished all of my career goals. These are “ed” ending words that imply I have come to the end of my journey and my tasks. I clearly have not.
It’s important for many us that we measure our happiness and lives with “ing” ending words, not “ed” ending words. As long as I’m trying or working on myself then I’m moving forward. Measuring ourselves with “ed” ending words sets us up for disappointment: “If I have accomplished something, I’m going to feel real unhappy if I go backwards.”
Now back to work. I’m learning to hold a mirror to the ones who are critical. I’m learning to realize I will always receive more than my share of criticism (it’s just part of the job). I’m learning my self-worth is not defined by their attitudes. Each day, I’m learning to be happier at work. I’ll keep you all posted of my progress.