„Do you sometimes feel like you’re stuck with some strongly negative emotions at work? Do you overreact to any criticism or do you often feel that every comment is about you?
Do you find yourself behaving like a child who takes his toys and threatens to leave, rather than like an adult, with those you work with?
Do you sometimes feel like you don’t know what you want anymore and that nothing seems to satisfy you?
Do you catch yourself thinking that someone doesn’t like you, has something against you, and you can’t see anything else?
Are you a hard-working, dedicated person, but often in doubt about your own competence and worth, even when, rationally speaking, you have no reason to be?
Such anxieties have been exacerbated by all the changes the world has gone through in recent years. All the transformations, from the technological revolution to the shifting paradigm about life and work, to the new generations’ influences on how work is seen, to the difficulty of finding a job after 40 for many, then the global emphasis on diversity and inclusion, to the pandemic that has shaken the way we cooperate to its roots, have taken their toll on people’s mental and emotional state.
The need to make ourselves accepted, liked by others, the imposter syndrome, perfectionism, the need to control, gossiping at the corner of the zoom or the office, passive-aggressive behaviour, the tendency to situate ourselves in a valley of continual complaining (but gaining, that of being the center of attention) – all this makes the joy disappear from our faces, we feel tired, stressed, blinded; we lack the energy and enthusiasm to progress in our careers, in our plans, our environment seems unsafe, threatening, unbearable.
Often, such difficulties have deep roots in our childhood. Sometimes, to overcome them, we need the help of a therapist. At other times, however, I recommend an experienced mentor who has gone through a process of analysis, research, and self-development. Such a process is complex and requires life experience, tenacity, and long-term personal effort. I like to compare such a person to Jiminy Cricket, the conscience of Pinocchio. It is the creature that accompanies Pinocchio on his initiatory journey, a journey beyond which the wooden doll becomes human, has a soul.
I firmly believe that, in these complicated times, many of us need our own Jiminy Cricket to be with us for the long run, to give us advice, to listen to us, to help us (re)gain our confidence, to (re)grow our wings, to show us our bright side when we can’t see it, to help us navigate and keep us in balance.
I know it’s hard to identify a mentor. I know we don’t trust so much that someone would listen to us, help us.
I would recommend the mentoring program at Professional Women’s Network, where there are many experienced mentors, willing to invest their time and energy, to shadow those who want support.”
via: Revista Cariere