Skip to main content

Why we might not give our job a 100%

Current times have provided us with a lot of choice. The effect that this choice has on us is the following:

1. Paralysis: There is so much to work out.
2. Opportunity Cost: Whatever we choose gives us a certain satisfaction. However, choice reduces this satisfaction by the amount of opportunity cost we have to contend with. [The more things you are not doing the more unsatisfied you are by letting go of those choices]
3. Expectation: Since you have now zeroed in on this particular choice, you expect a lot from it
4. Blame: When you don’t get what you expected you blame yourself.
[These points are from "TED Talks"]

This applies very much in the case of ‘finding a job’ as well.

Even if for one moment we were to assume it is impossible for us to find the ‘ideal job’ i.e. the job that is a ‘talent fit’ for us, one would still have to decide between the large number of possible jobs he ‘likes’.

In the end two things will happen:
1. You will either expect a lot from your job; or
2. You will not take your job seriously because you will have the feeling that the good job is just ‘around the corner’

Maybe one should just reduce his/her expectations from their job?

Comments

  1. asaakiJune 20, 2009 at 2:18 AM

    Or maybe they should keep their expectations harbored within, so that when/if possible, they can bring their expectations to reality themselves? If they resign to lower standards than their expectations, they can never create anything worthwhile. Ideals shouldn't be abandoned. But I guess that's another topic. The last two points you mentioned are in fact exactly what have happened to me at my job.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Faraz HaiderJune 20, 2009 at 11:57 AM

    As they say: Hope for the best and expect the worst.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What should we aspire to

I have come about an understanding about the absolute purpose of our being and I think it’s not ambition but an aspiration. But if it is an aspiration what could be the absolute aspiration? Clearly the pharaoh must have taught his people to aspire to a position in his court. His method must have been a reward for serving him. But what service did he put his society to? It was the building of the Pyramids. Now the pyramids like all his other social projects were aggrandizement meant for him. And with the pharaoh at the top and his workers at the bottom another structure was created which was the hierarchy of society. Interestingly this entire society was put to one goal only: aggrandizement. Aggrandizement of any kind is inherently fleeting. For example if we aggrandize money it will get used up and disappear. If we aggrandize a seat of power sooner or later it will also disappear. Hence neither aggrandizement serving ourselves nor for another can be the highest we can aspire for. In fa
Post a Comment
Read more

Explanation of the movie 'Revolver'

I saw the movie for the umpteenth time last night and I finally got it. This is what the movie says: 1) In every game and con there is always a victim and there is always an opponent. It's good to know when you are the former so you can become the latter. 2) But the question is how do you prepare yourself for this game? 3) You only get smater by playing a smarter opponent. 4) The smarter the game the smarter the opponent 5) Checkers is an example of such a game. Chess is a better game. Debate is an even better opportunity to learn and so on. 6) But the question is where does the game stop? or one can ask what is the smartest game one can play? 7) The answer according to the movie is: "The game of con you play with yourself". ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The text below has been added on 3 Dec 2008 and is based on a comment posted on October 30, 2008, at time 4:12 PM. I have only recently understood what this person meant an
27 comments
Read more

Why feedback is important

We learn about the world as we get feedback from things within it such as from family, friends, mentors and even books. Feedback can tell you where you went wrong and affirm what you do right. It can thus help you predict the future. Interestingly there are people I have met who question the importance of feedback. They say: “I can figure out everything I need to on my own. I don’t need feedback like others do.” This is not true. In fact there is a big danger lurking in this notion. If the world you are creating is your own you might get stuck in it or some part of it and not know what to do next. If however, this world of yours and all parts of it are based on some feedback you will always know who to ask if you get stuck. Somebody once said that "fundamentally we are here not to be seen, but to see" i.e. to see things outside of ourself. You will notice that all growth you have had has owed itself to some consistent feedback. Suppose you wrote an essay. You wouldn't re
19 comments
Read more