Inspired!

I am inspired tonight!

Honestly speaking, I've been despondent for the past 20 hours or so, since I discovered that what I thought was hard work and motivation didn't make me better off. All the hard work was not good enough and I was beginning to think that what I'm facing now is too much for me. I haven't given up...but I did think of other things to blame. I was a geek, then a biologist, now a banker-wannabe. Am I not suitable for the job? Am I not up to the challenge? Am I not fit?

But then I read this article about the power of an outsider.

Hey, I was and am still an outsider in this new corporate world. I have not absorbed the culture, I still hold my own values, I don't know the people and I am still trying to get through with my own unusual way. But the article gave me hope that being an outsider is actually an advantage in some times. Of course, I still need to discern the times when being an outsider is beneficial, and when to (in my case) learn to be an insider.

Some people even fake being an outsider. This strategy is said to rescue them when they make mistakes. Okay, that kind of move might be too political and the purpose is not virtuous, but doing exactly the opposite (i.e. pretending and overselling yourself as an insider while you haven't grasp the juice) will not be a wise move either.

In addition to the above article, I was also inspired by one of the comments. It described that as a young person, the writer used to tried too hard to convince people that he is competent, offering helps and giving unsolicited advices, etc. But then he realized that people did not respond very well to his actions. On the contrary, people were intimidated and felt that he is the he-thinks-he-knows-it-all kind of person that will take all the credit he can get. Poor thing, huh? But then he realized the trick, that people will see his true quality when he isn't busy "showing" it off (even though he never meant to do it).

So, why sweat? I am considered an outsider now..meaning plenty of room to grow and to move. Of course, there are times when being an outsider means acting silly, being underestimated, unheard and lonely. Yet, it's not all about adversities, but also advantages... so again.."sip the cup slowly, dear", I'm telling myself, "and count your blessing every step of the way."

Picture from http://www.flickr.com/photos/-sel-/188411430/