OCD Thoughts at Work

[Camden]

I really like my new job and I'm already afraid of losing it. I want to do everything right and find peace knowing that everyone in the office likes me. I am working hard to make good first impressions, take everything seriously, and hide my vulnerabilities. That being said, I'd like to share some of my OCD thoughts that I experience on the job:

1. "I'm going to get fired tomorrow."
2. "There is no such thing as job security. I'll get fired even if I don't do anything wrong."
3. "I'm not good enough and I don't have enough incentive to succeed with my job."
4. "Everyone is replaceable, and they're just going to replace me with someone better."
5. "My friends don't deal with the same OCD and performance anxiety I do while at work, and that makes me angry and jealous."
6. "I'm asking too many questions and requesting too much help. My coworkers think I'm stupid."
7. "If I get fired, my life will be ruined and I'll never be able to pursue the things in life I want."

 

[Phillies Phan]

Well, there are some realities in the working world in 2021. It is true that one can get let go “without cause” meaning you did nothing wrong, they just made a decision to move on from you for whatever reason. It’s a term paradoxically known as “right to work”. For example, if the company is in financial trouble and needs to cut back. It’s also true, especially in large companies that loyalty is minimal. I won my company’s Chairman’s Award one year, and 3 years later was let go, as were a dozen others due to a reorganization.

Having said that, I’ll share something my dad told me. He had a wonderful 30 year career with the Veterans Administration. He said the vast majority of employees are average performers. It doesn’t take a whole lot of effort to be better than average and therefore standout. Will being superior guarantee you’ll keep your job and succeed for decades? No, but it makes your bosses respect you, because you’re making them look good. That could make or break being kept on when others are let go, or in getting that nice raise or promotion rather than the next guy.