OPINION

How to be an Irreplaceable Designer

Starting with a small shift in mindset.

Photo by Faizur Rehman on Unsplash

We all are talented, which means we excel at something. Lucky people are the ones who recognize their talent in the first place and do it passionately, which helps them attain specific work achievements.

However, the problem is that it makes us feel too special to be replaced by someone else. The truth is that life revolves around nobody. We can be good at something and out there full of people who are also doing well or even better than us.

There was a time when I started to get upset that perhaps I am the best fit for the current position now, but there is always a better option to replace me when the time comes.

I started to obsess with the fear of being replaced.

If you are reading here and find yourself like me, don’t worry.

Here is how I overcame it:

Firstly, I shifted my mindset from “I am irreplaceable” to “I am valuable.”

• I am irreplaceable will nourish the ego to grow, be self-righteous, and fail.
• I am valuable will motivate us constantly to strive to improve and develop ourselves.

We cannot make ourselves an “irreplaceable” individual, but we can strive to be more “valuable” for the organization. And only that right drive can help us truly become better. Let’s start from:

1. Look for enjoyments at work

Every so often, things will get complicated. There will be times when I wake up bored and wonder: “Do I want to go to work?”. Indeed all of us have been through mornings like this.

In addition to building inner strength for myself, I also find small daily enjoyments such as:

• The smile of the parking lot keeper
• A cup of coffee from the teammate
• Set small goals that are easy to accomplish

Responsibility can help us commit to something, but enjoyments can help us stick with it for a long time.

2. Don’t just do what you used to do