Why Job Fit Is Important To Your Confidence
09.10.2008 | Chris BaileyUnless you’re one of the exceptionally rare and fortunate individuals who has always landed in the right job, you’ve had at least one job that didn’t fit right. Like a pair of shoes three sizes to large or small, it always felt poorly aligned with who you are and your unique set of talents. Maybe you’re in one of these jobs right now. If so, let me ask you a few questions:
- Do you often question your own personal value?
- Do you sometimes feel a distinct lack of confidence in your abilities?
- Do you feel marginalized and demotivated?
- Do you wonder if you’re professionally valuable not only within your current organization, but possibly in future organizations, as well?
When we talk about job fit, at least on a surface level, we may understand its importance. But there is a deeper level to job fit which affects us psychologically. Here, we begin to form stories about ourselves. If the fit is wrong, then it’s much easier to create stories that the reason it’s wrong is because of what we’re doing. We tend to pin the blame on ourselves. If we’re not getting it, then it must be because of a deficit of ours, rather than the actual job or even the organizational structure supporting the job.
I’m not suggesting that we should throw personal responsibility out the window. But all too often, we take a bad job fit and assume all the responsibility for not doing well, not feeling content with our work, not feeling that we’re bring our best into the world everyday.
Instead, let’s take a breathe, back up, and consider a bigger perspective. Let’s get curious about whether we’re doing a job or in a position that uniquely fits us. Let’s think of how our work can create a healthier livelihood for ourselves. Let’s hold true to the knowledge that we do have choices about how we live each day.
4 Responses to “Why Job Fit Is Important To Your Confidence”
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Chris, the concept of “fit” is so wonderfully USEFUL in this regard; I applaud you for calling this attention to it.
I think of that wisdom inherent in Maslow’s pyramid too, where we all have to meet the basic need he called our “sense of belonging.” Belonging is not about tenure and the process of becoming an insider as it is about fit, and being the square peg who glories in the precision of his or her precisely turned corners, for they have never been forced into a round hole. They were proud of who they were, and of the strengths they possess, and then, armed with the confidence you speak of, they chose wisely, now doing their best work in square-peg puzzles.
Both square and round pegs help our world go round in the most pleasing way (with a bunch of other geometric shapes thrown into the mix too!)
To add to your questions you need to look at the positives as well. They can often steer you in a new direction either for a new role or job, or to simply help you refocus on the areas you enjoy most.
-Why did you accept the job and why are you still there now?
-Do you build connections at your work with your projects/tasks and people?
-How do you talk about your work to others, do you get excited and want to share it?
-Would you miss your work if you left for another job?
I think a lot of folks forget about some of the things that are great about their jobs and don’t work to make IT better. You have an impact there and can easily make it what you want it to be. Don’t overlook that.
Mike, I like the questions you pose here. I think once an individual understands that they may not be totally responsible for a poor fit, then they can begin to approach their situation using questions like the four you offer above. Thanks for bringing that perspective to this post.
No problem Chris. I’m always amazed to see how easy it is to turn something around (like the thoughts about a job or career) if you can shift to look at what you do enjoy and like in it. People don’t put enough attention to how they affect things around them and typically make themselves a victim in it, instead of a player.
Anyway, thanks for the extra discussion and great topic!