Evaluating one's own strengths and weaknesses objectively

Very recently, I heard Sachin Tendulkar talk about how he spent hours monitoring every shot that he had played after the match was over and it got me thinking about analysis and strategy and how important it is for one's career.

In my career, I've had the pleasure of working with some very high achieving individuals.

On the face of it, these individuals appear to be brimming with confidence. And looking at them, many people may assume that nothing is really going to faze them. They could be brilliant orators for instance, but they get incredibly nervous every single time they go up on stage. Seeing some of these things has actually made me much more comfortable when I get anxious.

For almost ten years now, whenever I get anxious and even fumble in real time during a specific situation, I take time out to analyse and course-correct, and also glean lessons about what to do differently, the next time around.

Despite having an incredibly front facing job, social situations often give me crippling anxiety, as does every single time I stare at an empty Microsoft Word document. But I push through the anxiety and deal with both the social situation, as well as writing and editing for a living.

I know there is a lot of good things to be said about optimism, but I want to be sincere about my own feelings here. While I am someone who hopes for the best, am also someone who manages my own expectations and is absolutely okay if and when things go downhill. I hold myself to exacting standards and I always review things I do, in granular detail. Not saying that needs to be everyone's process, but it certainly is mine.

I am of the opinion that it is incredibly important to be objective about oneself, and the kindest human beings I know are often both of those things- objective and self aware. Because I like to push myself and grow from my experiences, I also have to constantly remind myself that there are several things beyond my control. The only things that are in my control is the effort I put in, the quality of work I deliver, and my ability to adapt to unfamiliar situations.