Driven to Distraction at Work: How to Focus and Be More Productive by Ned Hallowell

Author:Ned Hallowell
Language: eng
Format: mobi, pdf
ISBN: 9781422186411
Publisher: Harvard Business Review Press
Published: 2014-11-17T14:00:00+00:00

dropping the ball

how to stop underachieving at work

“I hate myself!” Sharon said to the wall. Sitting at her desk, she had just realized that she’d spaced out on a conference call she was supposed to have been on for the past hour. She’d thought the call was to take place tomorrow, until she’d looked down at her planner and saw that it was scheduled for today.

Her mind raced. Why didn’t I check my planner when I got to the office? Why do I resolve to do it every day, then not do it? Why do I know what I’m supposed to do, but then not do what I’m supposed to do? Do I have some kind of a fear of failure? Do I secretly want to ruin my life? Am I trying to fail in order to please my mother, or am I afraid of surpassing her? Why hasn’t all the f–ing therapy I’ve had not done a damn thing to help me? Is there any hope? Am I doomed to live this pattern out over and over and over again? Why doesn’t someone just shoot me?

Avery, one of her colleagues at the magazine, who was also a friend, walked by her office and could see Sharon was in distress. “What’s wrong, hon?” Avery asked.

Sharon sighed. “You don’t want to hear. I’m a loser, that’s the long and short of it. I just missed the conference call with Tony’s group, and I’m sure that will be the last straw for them. What could have been a golden opportunity turns into another swing and miss by good old Sharon. I am so over being me.”

“Sharon, hon, you’re the most talented person at this magazine. I wish I had half your ability.”

“I love you, Avery, but do you know how tired I am of hearing how much potential I have? What’s the good of having potential if you can never live up to it? I wish I’d been born dumb as a post. Then I wouldn’t have to live up to anything, which I can’t do anyway.”

“You know what,” Avery replied, “I’ve gotta go take care of a couple of things right now, but I am coming back here at five sharp and I am taking you across the street to the Algonquin for a couple of the best mojitos you’ve ever had. And you are not allowed to say no!”

“Thanks, Avery. Gives me something to look forward to.”

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