It can be easy to feel undervalued and overlooked when you are extraordinary in an ordinary environment. That feeling of being “just something” instead of a lot more than simply your role can start feeling like a weight that is hard to bear. But, the good news is, there are ways to work through this and find ways to articulate your worth so that you can start feeling like you’re worth it.
Get Clear on What You Want & Who You Are
You are not "just something" - If you feel like you're nothing more than an acronym for your role title in a seemingly ordinary workplace, take comfort in the fact that you are extraordinary! It may feel underappreciated today, but it is critical to recognize yourself for the unique and valuable work you offer each day. Embrace your individual set of skills and experience – there’s no one else like you. Sure, others may have similar skills and tasks, but don’t forget that YOU have something special to offer. So make sure your internal dialogue isn’t referring to yourself as "just something" – because you are much more than just a few words on a name tag!
The first step in articulating your worth is getting clear on what it is you want to do and who you are as a person. This isn’t always easy, especially if you’ve been stuck in the same job for a while, but by taking some time for self-reflection and exploring different career paths or skillsets, you can start to get clarity on who you are and what drives your passions.
Don't let your environment dictate how you see yourself
Society can be all about labeling and categorizing people, but don't let it define you or decide how you perceive your own worth. Quit comparing yourself to the standards of mediocrity in the environment around you and try to stand out. Don't get sucked into habitually living by the expectations set by others and accept what it means to be extraordinary in every which way. It's time to take that power back and own it; no need to succumb to feeling insignificant when you are anything but!
Reach Out & Connect With Others Who Can Support You
It can be tempting to go it alone when facing challenging times at work, but having other people around who understand where you’re coming from and can offer support can make all the difference. Reach out to friends or family for moral support or seek out professional help by joining a networking group or finding a mentor who has had similar experiences as yours. Having someone else to talk things through with will help you see things from new perspectives while also providing accountability and encouragement along the way.
Practice Self-Awareness & Emotional Intelligence
Self-awareness and emotional intelligence are essential skills for any career professional looking to unlock their potential in an ordinary environment. Being able to recognize your emotions—and how they may be influencing your decisions—will help keep them in check so that they don’t get the better of you when things get challenging at work. Similarly, learning how to manage difficult conversations with colleagues or supervisors will also help when it comes time to articulate your value during performance reviews or other important meetings with management.
Take pride in your unique talents and abilities
It can be hard to feel like you matter in an environment where 'ordinary' is the status quo - but if there's one thing you should never forget, it's that your unique talents, abilities and self-worth set you apart. Take pride in who you are and what you bring to the table: anything less would be doing yourself a huge disservice. Who knows - one day these very same qualities may just be the ones to help get you noticed across your organization or industry and recognized for the extraordinary person that you are!
Use your gifts to make a difference in your world
In this world, it's all too easy to be lost in the crowd and feel like you don't matter. To remind yourself that you're extraordinary, use your gifts to make a difference in your own corner of the world! Stretch yourself and give a fresh perspective where needed. That effort - however small - could result in a profound effect on your community. It might even inspire those around you to dare more, dream more, and do more each and every day. So rise above the status quo and make an impact - you are much more than just some thing!
Embrace your extraordinariness! (Yes, that's an actual word!)
It's easy to feel as though you don't belong or to be unappreciated when you are extraordinary in an ordinary environment. But that feeling is only a reflection of the world around you - not of your incredible gifts and abilities. So next time you find yourself feeling inadequate, remember that YOU are extraordinary! Don't let anything keep you from making an impact with your talents and finding joy in using them to make a difference. Go out and embrace the extraordinariness of who you are - you won't regret it! We all need a little reminder from time to time that we bring something extraordinary to the table. It may be easy to feel like “just something” in an ordinary environment, but it's important to acknowledge that you can be so much more. So go ahead and embrace your extraordinariness! Don’t be fooled into thinking you are no different from anyone else; you are unique and powerful and should never underestimate what that means in an ever-changing world. Stay positive and keep believing in your capabilities — you have the power to make a difference!
We all have extraordinary potential inside us waiting for the opportunity shine through our current environments, no matter how ordinary they may seem on the surface. By getting clear on what we want for ourselves, reaching out for support from others, and practicing self-awareness and emotional intelligence we can start feeling confident about articulating our worth without letting outside influences bog us down into thinking we're 'just something.' So don't let anyone hold back your true potential – it's time to unlock it!
See you online, you incredible human
Meg ✌️