Advice

Avoid the Peter Principle

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The Peter Principle is a famous idea that, simply, people get promoted until they're in a position they're simply not good at.  Too many people are promoted to their level of incompetence.

This is often used in many jokes, but it's actually something I take seriously.  I take it seriously as I've seen it in action.

I also take it seriously because it scares me, as it is even more important to career geeks and profans like us.  We, yes we, the cool and creative and hip and obsessive people are in even MORE danger of the Peter Principle affecting us.  We are, in short, in more danger of being promoted far beyond our level of competence.

The danger is that we often like what we do and can miss when we're bad at it.

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Stereotype-Fu – Draw Them In

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As I have noted ad nauseum (and as we've seen ad nauseum), stereotypes often raise their heads in the business/career world.  We, being fanboys, fangirls, geeks, otaku, metalheads, what have you, can face some pretty annoying stereotypes in our professional lives.  Dealing with it intelligently is a way to both keep our sanity – and we can always turn it around to our advantage.

One of the oddest cases of being stereotypes in the work world, from an interview to a client discussion, is when the people stereotyping us FIT the very stereotype they're inflicting on us.  The person that jokes about you being a game geek themselves can repeat dialogue from Final Fantasy 7 verbatim (with voices).  The person that jokes about your body piercings has enough metal in their body to make a toolkit.  The person who snubs your taste in emo music listens to songs so depressing they're banned in several countries.

This is annoying.  This is hypocritical.

THIS is a chance to engage in some stereotype-fu and turn the stereotyping to your advantage – by connecting with the person in a way that changes their views and relations to you.

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Discomfort Is a Sign of Growth

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Ever feel like you're both achieving something and incredibly uncomfortable at the same time?

I think we all know what that's like – you're facing your demons, building something new,writing that great story – and right as you're feeling great, you're also feeling a bit nervous, uncomfortable.

When this happens it's because you're stretching yourself, pushing yourself, and that's always a bit uncomfortable.  But it's also a good sign – because it means you're going beyond your boundaries and limits.  Like a good stretch you're limbering yourself up.

Discomfort, in short, is often a good sign that you're growing as a person (or a writer, or artist, etc.)

When you look for it, you'll see these moments of "pleasant discomfort" as you break your boundaries and limits.  Keep aware of these moments as you can start catching when you're growing (which may happen at surprising times) and can take advantage of them.

One reason it's important to do what you like in your life and career is that it improves your tolerance for these moments of "stretching discomfort" so you don't back down.  When you're driven, motivated, in touch, then when the discomfort comes its easier to power through.

Next time you feel you're walking on the edge?  It's probably a good thing.

– Steven Savage