Your Sorting Hat: On comparison, character and confrontation
Career Tuesday
3 ideas, 2 quotes, 1 question (Aug 17, 2021)
Wish you a Happy Career Tuesday!
3 IDEAS FROM ME
I.
"Does your happiness stem from who or what you compare yourself to?
In the Olympics, bronze medalists are seen to be happier than silver medalists. The former are thrilled having won a medal while the latter regret having lost the gold."
II.
"Do you want to start a task that you have been avoiding?
First write it down. Second, take a break for 5 minutes. Third - get back and start on any small bit of the task. You will accomplish more than you thought."
III.
"Your workplace means more than an income to you. Choose wisely.
A job loss affects identity and thus self esteem. Absence of colleagues reduces essential human contact, companionship and support. Absence of direction and the opportunity to exercise skills reduces motivation."
2 QUOTES FROM OTHERS
I.
Adam Grant, author and Professor of organisational psychology at Wharton, talks about the distinction between character and personality -
“Personality is how you respond on a typical day. Character is how you show up on your worst day. It's easy to demonstrate fairness, integrity, and generosity when things are going well. The real question is whether you stand by those values when the deck is stacked against you.”
Source:
II.
Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor and Stoic philosopher, on recognising reality and possibility :
"You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength."
Source:
1 QUESTION FOR YOU
Are you avoiding a confrontation? How will it affect you in the long run?
If you enjoyed that, please share this email with others.
Sign up here to receive this email every week or read longer career articles here.
Until next week,
Devashish Chakravarty
Author of YourSortingHat
Columnist for Careers at The Economic Times