Interpretation is everything
QUESTION: Masters no matter where I work, I always have the same pattern; I start from important tasks and then I’m lowered to leftover tasks. I think I’m doing good work and doing my best with everything, yet this always happens. Is my role just to be a helper instead of a creative worker? Am I doing something wrong? I hate the idea I’d be left to do just leftover tasks without chances to advance in my career and learn new, my career going backwards. I’m devastated when I think that. It feels I didn’t come here to do that. ~Maarit, Finland
ANSWER: You need to step back and actually “see” what is occurring. You are an extremely conscientious worker and very insightful as to what needs to be done. Many have the ability to do difficult or important work from start to finish because they are following established protocols. Few have the ability to look at a partially completed task that someone has failed to successfully finish, pick it up where the other left off, and see what needs to be done to complete it expeditiously. You have this unusual talent and it is valued by your employers.
You are not being “lowered to leftovers” but, rather, put in a position to rescue projects that would be unfinished but for your intervention. In numerous instances you were able to complete the task only because you saw innovative methods for getting past the spot that stopped others in their tracks.
You are not doing anything wrong but everything right. All you need is to see what is really going on and to embrace this unique situation. In each instance you have convinced yourself that you received a “demotion” in job status. This is not the case. Start to examine these leftovers and create, and then document, a way that others may see what you see to stop being stuck and to be able to finish them.
Stop imagining that you are incapable of the fantastic work you are doing. Let yourself examine the true situation here and rejoice in the future possibilities for expanding everyone’s success rate.