The Story We Tell Ourselves
Years ago I subscribed to Harvard Business Review's "Management Tip of the Day" newsletter (you can sign up here if you want it too). Inside the newsletter from yesterday, titled "Understand Why You Feel Underappreciated at Work," was this section:
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What story am I telling myself?
Recognize when a lack of growth is due to circumstances outside of your or your manager’s control, such as poor economic conditions. From there, you can gain some confidence back and consider your next move.
Recognize when a lack of growth is due to circumstances outside of your or your manager’s control, such as poor economic conditions. From there, you can gain some confidence back and consider your next move.
I focused more on the question than the part about lack of growth. We tell ourselves stories about all aspects of our lives, not just our careers. Stephen Covey would probably call this the lens through which we see the world.
I focused there because it is easy to forget that the story or lens exists, shaping the way we feel about and interact with the world. It's like wearing glasses for so long you sometimes forget they are there.