How do I deal with feeling of underachieving in my career?

34M. I'm a recently certified chartered accountant (Singapore). Worked for about 8 yrs in local financial institutions. However, I have some colleagues who are younger but on par or even higher in corporate rank than me...

Maybe some times it's luck? some people have benefactors. Maybe it's because I'm too introvert. Maybe I'm not high performer. What are some things I can do to stop feeling like an underachiever? Maybe change job?

Discussion (7)

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Benjamin

05 Apr 2021

A quote I always like to keep in mind is "Measure the gain, not the gap."

In other words, focus on the progress YOU have made rather than the distance to where you want to be (Which primarily comes from comparison with others)

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Charmaine Ng

29 Mar 2021

The Value Maximizer at @ Every Ma La Xiang Guo Stall

Make it a point to improve yourself a little everyday. It could be personal or career wise.

You know the saying about comparing yourself to others, it's neverending and it's going to be harsh on yourself because no two people are so alike in their background, talents that you can compare them and be absolutely fair. What you can do instead is make it a point for you to improve just a little everyday. Whether it's changing the way you work, the way you think or even getting a new hobby you like. When you are happier, you are more relax and you perform better. Speaking from experience. Learn something new everyday. Do something you have wanted to try for some time but never got around to it.

Evaluate yourself in the company. Are you happy? Why are you happy or not? Can you do something about it? If you feel that younger colleagues are given more opportunities, what do you think you can do better to gain the same opportunities?

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