In my work as a human resources professional, I meet dozens of people individually each year: in job interviews, annual performance reviews, management support sessions as a business partner, and sometimes for personal reasons.
What strikes me is that the same candidate who was exceptional at one stage can seem disengaged at the next.
An employee described as underperforming one year may be brilliant the following year.
A manager with an unblemished record may suddenly face accusations or difficult questions.
People — colleagues or family members — events, happy or painful, and circumstances, favourable or otherwise, can take their toll.
Yet here is an encouraging truth: you are not your circumstances or your mistakes.
What you are going through may qualify or disqualify you for a moment or a season, but it cannot and should not define you.
Some employees struggle to find their footing after losing a loved one or being promoted without support.
Others struggle when a new supervisor arrives with a management style they have not learned to adapt to.
Others are transformed for the better, finding their wings and achieving remarkable things when placed in the right environment.
Whatever you are going through, and however people around you describe you, remember: you are not your circumstances or what happens to you.
You may have made mistakes, but you are not your mistakes.
You have your own identity, personality and strengths. You certainly have weaknesses and areas to improve, but that does not make you a disaster.
An action for today
Take time to reflect on every piece of feedback, positive or negative, and use the best of it to grow.
Use your weekend to make time for yourself and work on your development.
Tomorrow can be better. As the saying goes, “the best is yet to come.”
Keep moving forward…
A prayer for today
God of the universe, from creation You intended work to be part of human life.
Help me discover my calling and flourish in it like a fish in water or an eagle in the sky, in Jesus' name!
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