Joy in Work: Earning vs Deserving

Everyone remembers their first job. Mine was working as a contract employee for the post office during the holiday period, handling the inevitable massive influx of letters and parcels. I felt good about contributing during such a busy time and even better about earning real income beyond my usual pocket money. Each morning, I jumped out of bed eagerly and arrived at work early. Despite the menial tasks, I was grateful to finally experience real paid work.

Many years later, now in mid-level management within the biotech industry, I found myself comparing my contributions to those of more senior colleagues. Resentment grew as I felt my efforts were underappreciated. I sought opportunities to outperform peers and craved constant affirmation.

This shift in mindset illustrates the difference between gratitude (earning) and entitlement (deserving). Entitlement reflects a self-centered approach, focusing on personal rewards, promotions, and recognition while losing sight of the bigger picture. Gratefulness, on the other hand, fosters joy and fulfillment by valuing the journey and contributions.

Here's some practical strategies on how to cultivate a balanced and positive approach to work:

Adopt an Enterprise Mindset

We have touched on this previously in my article Understanding not just the jigsaw piece, but the entire puzzle. When changes happen, we naturally think in a self-centered way, such as criticizing the decision without a holistic understanding, or taking it personally even if these changes aren’t about us, or focusing on the repercussions for ourselves in preference to others.

Tip: Before coming to conclusions about changes or how they affect you, first ask questions! Be curious. Taking a humble posture (thinking about others ahead of yourself) allows you to take a more objective view.

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Emphasize Contribution Over Reward

Shift your focus from what you deserve to what you can contribute. By prioritizing the value you bring to your team and organization, you demonstrate commitment and accountability. This mindset not only fosters trust but also fits with the philosophy that rewards should follow effort. This can even be a way to covertly suggest a promotion – if you are contributing with breadth or depth beyond what is expected for your level or position, it’s a very natural decision to recognize this and promote you.

Tip: Consistently ask yourself, "How can I make a difference today?"

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Practice Gratitude

A sense of entitlement often stems from undervaluing what you already have. Those reading this article are likely in very privileged places of influence, and we often fail to recognize and be thankful for the opportunities, support, and achievements that have led to our success – and if we are really honest, we realize that so many of these things were provided for us instead of self-earned. In my last article titled Satisfaction in Excellence, I referred to an important practice of appreciating what we’ve accomplished. This mindset shift can reduce frustration and promote a more positive outlook.

Tip: Regularly list three things you are grateful for in your job—be it a helpful colleague, a new project, or learning opportunities.

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Make Others Look Good

I’m sure you have encountered people who you find really engaging. They are great listeners, very empathetic, and really want to learn more about you and what’s important to you. Congratulations, you have just met someone with humility.

Humility is not about self-deprecation. Humility is about thinking about other people before you think about yourself. If you extend this thinking, a truly humble person will be focused on making other people succeed, always highlighting their skills and achievements over their own.

Remember that rewards and recognition are earned over time, and not everything happens on your timeline. Avoid comparing yourself to others’ career progress or assuming unfair treatment; instead, you can do the opposite and build up others which, ironically, will put you in very high regard.

Tip: Make a habit of giving credit where it’s due—both privately and publicly.

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Final Thoughts

Avoiding entitlement in the workplace is about maintaining perspective, humility, and a focus on contribution. By fostering a growth mindset, practicing gratitude, earning recognition through consistent effort, and focusing on the success of others, you not only become a better employee but also a stronger team member and leader.