Whoa. This is downright eerie.

[cjsmith]

Last night I was explaining a bit of my new job to rfrench. I said "They're going to have me do Thing A first, but I'm not sure I understand why yet. It seems to me I should do Thing B first instead. Having Thing B first will give us more capabilities and [bla bla bla lots of good stuff]. And hey, I don't know how to do either one yet, so it's not like changing the plan will slow me down."

I mentioned it to the CEO, Acting VPE and Product Manager, and Chief Architect. Chief Architect said hey, that might be right. Other two said waitaminit, we're not so sure, let's think about it. We all sat in a conference room for twenty minutes.

I'm doing Thing B first.

It is so weird to work at a job where my input is even considered and discussed, much less gets chosen. I am waiting for the other (the first?) shoe to drop.

Comments

[sunnydale47.livejournal.com]

Stop worrying so much! You'll worry yourself right into a screwup. An "I'm worried that I'll break it" mindset can become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Just relax and enjoy it. If you're really having trouble believing it, then adopt a positive "enjoy while it lasts" attitude rather than the other side of the same coin, "I'm worried that it'll stop."

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

That's so true -- but switching around my emotions is easier said than done! I think I will chant "enjoy it while it lasts" to myself. Or maybe just "enjoy it". :-)

[sunnydale47.livejournal.com]

I know it's hard to rearrange emotions -- that's why I added the "while it lasts." It's unrealistic this soon to expect to be able to completely erase your fears ... they're not going to go away that easily! As time goes by and you still find your knowledge and abilities respected it will get easier, but right now, after all those years of being disregarded, it's logical to worry that it will happen here too. By telling yourself to enjoy it while it lasts, you can have a positive attitude while still accepting your worries rather than trying to deny them.

In other words, don't try to force yourself to pretend the glass is full -- it's at the halfway mark. View it as half full ("enjoy it while it lasts") instead of half empty ("this is going to stop soon and I'll be miserable again").

So yes, just keep chanting "enjoy it while it lasts" -- and don't try to eliminate the coda until you're ready. After awhile it will fall off by itself and you'll find yourself thinking simply "enjoy it"!

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Exactly. Heck, the whole startup could fizzle; most do. Deep breaths! Enjoy while it's here!