The difference between knowing you’re making progress at work versus simply operating under extreme pressure can be tricky to spot. Progress and pressure can look nearly identical on the surface, but they each yield extremely opposite results. Progress results in forward momentum and inspired growth, while pressure will almost always leave you feeling drained and depleted. Are you masking high stress levels all in the name of “drive” and “success”? It may be time to evaluate whether you’re truly moving forward in your career or if an inevitable meltdown is looming.
Progress: Growth That Feels Grounded
When you’re truly growing in your profession, it’s often not glamorous or on display for all to see. Moving forward professionally is almost always a series of small steps, many of which only you notice. When you’re curious, open to feedback, and able to take a step back without guilt, you can almost always tell that you’re making sustainable progress.
Pressure: Growth That Feels Forced
When you’re operating as a full-time “yes man,” you may be existing under pressure that has disguised itself as motivation. You may feel unfulfilled, like you’re chasing an illusion. Living off adrenaline can cause you to take feedback personally and measure your value by your level of productivity. When these patterns are consistent in your profession, the result is almost always burnout.
Both progress and pressure share one thing in common: ambition. Where they differ is how that ambition practically plays out and is put into practice on a daily professional basis. If you’re constantly living in fear or comparison, you’re likely functioning under high pressure instead of building a sustainable, long-term career. Our quiz above will test you on a series of scenarios – are they born of progress, or are they rooted in pressure? With that discernment in hand, you’ll be able to better check in with yourself when your workload unexpectedly increases or when a new role is offered, allowing you to make the best decision for yourself.
