Today I read this fantastic article on the two mindsets which shape our lives.
It helps me to assess the current struggles I am facing at work. I seem to keep wanting to get the affirmation and not getting it making me stressed and doubt myself. After reading this article, I realise its a big mistake I am making for wanting evaluation from others. What I should focus on is do my own thing and focus on learning new skills.
Sometime we waste too much of our time thinking about what others think of us, what they think about our work performance, how we perform in a team. Actually, the reality is no one is paying much attention to another person unless 1. They have to produce a feedback under company procedure 2. This person made a big mistake at work and it requires damage control. Other than these two situations, I believe most people are so involved with their own plans and things to do, they do not really care much about how others are doing or feeling at work. Let alone we are talking about China workplace, where there is a huge population and work force, everyone is replaceable. Therefore, there is less of a reason for someone to care too much about another person’s career development. Why care about the long term development when you can not guarantee this person will stay on this job after 6 or 9 months.
Once I figure this out, the best mindset in my situation is to focus on personal growth. Yes I make mistakes, yes I am not doing the right thing and yes I am not producing results. But because the situation is so uncomfortable, it means I am right out of my comfort zone. I am learning how to balance work relations and personal friendship, how not to judge someone solely base on their work performance. How to be patient and believe that being uncomfortable is a phase that will pass. It is ok to feel suck at work, as long as I am learning something out of this situation.
To end this entry, “The passion for stretching yourself and sticking to it, even (or especially) when it’s not going well, is the hallmark of the growth mindset. This is the mindset that allows people to thrive during some of the most challenging times in their lives.”
“At the heart of what makes the “growth mindset” so winsome is that it creates a passion for learning rather than a hunger for approval.”
LIYANG'S THOUGHTS 