Once in a while I admit something horrible to people. I make it seem casual, but it is not casual to me. My secret is this: I don't feel very prepared for my field of work. I wonder if I am really suited for my field.
I feel really bad.
I'm not ready to give up, but my concerns are real. I'm not very good at my work yet. That's not something that I imagined. My internship was hard. Dread crushed my chest most of the time that I did it. If the economy were better, I would probably know by now. As things stand, I'm caught in the meantime.
When I confess this to friends, the answers that I get are not usually helpful. I don't think there's a perfect answer. I just have to face it. But there are some things that are more or less helpful.
Not Helpful
I bet you are great. I wish I could watch you do your job.
(You weren't listening. I'm being honest, not self depreciating.)
2. You should just...
(This isn't a "just" thing. It's a big, hard decision.)
Helpful
1. Work hard at it.
2. Failure brings growth.
3. You'll be okay no matter what.
4. Stories about others who have faced what I'm facing.
5. Advice about how to improve.
Do you see the difference? Do me a favor and listen to someone today, instead of dismissing their concerns. It's a big deal to them.
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