Do you ever really impress yourself with your "work you"?

[singthing]

I had two incidents this week where I actively realised that I am damn good at my job. I mean, I superficially know I am because I've been doing it ages, I get through each day and they keep paying and promoting me - but in one case, I had an extremely technical conversation that was quite a bit outside my normal professional sphere of knowledge (let alone non-work), but came away having resolved the blocker/query, agreed a plan to progress and left the other person in full confidence things were well in hand.

(Although on the other hand, I also caught myself telling one of my team to "reach out" to someone, so it's not all good 😂Before anyone asks, no I am not in The Four Tops!)

Yes that’s brilliant - I told others to “think like Jim” Jim is obvs on the spectrum but when taken aside, stalls laid out, and given the time to prep. Produces the best work, better than I could - I see my skill in being able to facilitate that. It’s in a manufacturing environment - that’s when I know I’m doing my job well.

Yes.
I wish my non work me was as bloody good as my in work me.

Yes, sometimes. I like days like that!

Rarely! But I do work with people like this and admire them. It’s great to be really skilled at what you do.

Same here. I'm literally one of the best in the world at what I do, but it's very niche and we all hope that it's rare that I need to do what I'm best at doing.

But the rest of it is a bit of a disaster such that I can barely get out of bed the rest of the time.

I sometimes wonder if there's only so much 'space' our brains have and if after using up their 'power' in one area they're not able to fully operate in another! Who knows!
My partner only sees the home me..the one that forgets to post or pick up parcels, the scatty at times, disorganised version who cant make a decision about dinner. I often wonder what he'd make of the skilled, super organised, on top of it person I am in work!

I'm pretty impressed I've got as far as I have at work but am routinely kicking myself that I'm not better. Then someone asks for advice and I've got all the answers. Seems you can diagnose everyone else's problems but not your own.

I’m not at all senior so am not doing super impressive things but I’m a professional and yes I have days where I can work out what’s wrong, do a tight minimal assessment to confirm it, explain what’s going on in a clear non scary manner, start therapy, leave everyone reassured and able to manage, and be walking away in 40 minutes with notes dictated in another 5. I mean, that’s my job - but I know the difference I make when I’m on it.

Sometimes and then other times I wonder if I actually know what I’m doing.

Yes me! I took my current role on promotion and went in with the mantra "fake it till you make it" inwas recently flown half way across the world to present and broker new relationships so I guess im still faking it pretty well. Sometimes I come out of meetings where ive held my own, spewed technical bullshit and come away wondering what the fuck just happened.
Then I get home and have conversations with my children that include phrases like "no guns on the breakfast table please" and "please dont lick your sister"

Yes! I think you can become immune to how good you are at your job, and sometimes you get a moment of clarity and are really impressed with yourself!

I’ve worked in departments before, with not very nice people, who would do anything to ruin your confidence and make you feel worthless, so I sometimes struggle with self-belief. I now work in a department with people who appreciate and encourage me, so that’s made a big difference.

I’ve got promoted since leaving my previous (horrible) role. Have been trusted with doing the job of someone higher than me (filling in for long term sickness) and going for promotion again. Sometimes I have imposter syndrome, but have to remind myself I am more than capable.

I spent a lot of my early career as an EA, supporting very senior people, and I firmly believe this theory that we all only have so much space in our brains - no matter how intelligent or important we are.

I definitely think there's truth in this.

Every time I am off work beyond weekends, my main goal is to not set foot near a screen or keyboard. I will pack my days with weeding or planting or fence painting or attic sorting and enjoy every minute. It is just calm, free-brained work and I get real mental enrichment (relief) from that.

This!

I'm an HCP and had someone walk into my office and ask a question regarding cranial nerves.

I didn't even look up as I answered them.

Afterwards I felt like I was eavesdropping on a different person