Raise your hand if you’ve ever felt guitly at work. Now, this is an article, so I can’t actually see any hands, but I can bet that many of you have done just that. As Ecommerce professionals, we often take on guilty feelings regarding our workload, setting a boundary or two or even when we say no to work that isn’t ours in the first place.
Getting caught up in a whirlwind of emotions, especially guilt, is easy.
But Ecommerce professionals need to understand that guilt is a natural emotion and shouldn’t dictate how you operate in your role.
Success guilt
Achieving success is a testament to your hard work, dedication, and perseverance, especially in the Ecommerce role, where success can often be hard-fought. For those of you have been successful in your role, you’ll know climbing the ladder often means encountering naysayers, including friends, colleagues, and sometimes even family. They might feel left behind or that they’ve not been seen for the value that bring, leading to them projecting their insecurities onto you, leaving you guilty about your success. How do you counter success guilt?
Combatting Success Guilt:
Define your success. Understand what success means to you. Is it a particular position, financial stability, or personal growth? Write it down and remind yourslef of it.
Rise above the negativity: When faced with jealousy or sabotage, remember it’s their issue, not yours. Celebrate your achievements and be proud of your journey.
The guilt of imperfection
Mistakes happen. Whether it’s a missed email or a logistical error, it’s essential to remember that you’re human. I know we often hear that making mistakes in the Ecommerce professional role is a big no-no, but I’m here to say that isn’t true. If you are not given the grace to make mistakes, you’re not being given the room to grow. But it doesn’t mean that when we make mistakes, we don’t feel guilty about it.
Dealing with Mistakes:
Acceptance: Allow yourself to feel disappointed, but don’t dwell on it.
Perspective: Understand the gravity of the mistake. Most errors aren’t life-altering.
Challenge the Worst-Case Scenario Confront your fears about the consequences and rationalize them.
Apologize: If necessary, apologize. But don’t overdo it. Focus on the solution rather than the problem.
Learn: Use the mistate as a learning opportunity. Reflect on what went wrong and ensure it doesn’t happen again.
Your organization might own the job, but you own your career.
So, the next time guilt tries to creep in, remind yourself of your worth, journey, and goals. And always remember, you’re doing just fine.