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Work doesn't get Any Better if it has Already Gotten Worse

Work doesn't get Any Better if it has Already Gotten Worse

Doing Hard Things Requires Progress, not Malaise

Jason Ziebarth
Apr 29, 2025
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Club 255
Club 255
Work doesn't get Any Better if it has Already Gotten Worse
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“When our self-worth is dependent on outside factors, we have what researchers call a contingent self-worth. We derive our sense of self from what people think and how we are judged. We give over control to external factors. When we utilize idle praise and combine that with undeserved rewards, we create an environment ripe for developing contingent self-worth.” -Steve Magness (Do Hard Things)

Everything we do, everyday, tells every other person we work for or with, who we are and what we’re about. When we don’t have an strong internal compass, when we don’t fight for ourselves and our values, it shows up on our face, in our actions and especially when we are asked to do things.

”You wouldn’t judge a fish on his ability to climb a tree” is the great quote, but not everyone cares about it. They think because they hired you and paid you, they can judge you on how you climb a tree, especially if you’re just a fish. Bosses are going to want what they want, but if they don’t give you a way to grow and use your best talents, are they really a good Boss? Is your Salary really worth that much abuse? Throwing your life away barely climbing that tree as the fish you are?

Take it from me, if you’re unhappy at work, it doesn’t get any better. Find something you actually like doing and go do that, take a risk, and go swim your heart out in a different pond and forget about climbing that dumb corporate ladder (Oops, I meant Tree).

Until Tomorrow,
Jason Ziebarth (Club255)
JZ#483


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