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O P I N I O N
I don’t think any architect, engineer, or environmental consultant pursues an education in their discipline of choice and then embarks on their post-graduation career not wanting to create a real impact in their field. Yet, as brutal as this truth is, few do. How can we each achieve the lofty and satisfying position of knowing we have made a difference through our work in this business? We all want to make an impact
Mark Zweig
Why is that? It’s sad, if you think about it. Doesn’t there have to be more to life than working at a job, providing for the basic necessities of life for our families and ourselves, and accumulating a bunch of stuff? I believe so. I don’t think people are truly happy and fulfilled unless they DO make an impact. I know it’s not easy. Most of our readers work in organizations with other people. Their success is usually a collective success. That’s both good and bad. While it’s good that we routinely assemble teams to tackle very complex problems and usually succeed in doing so, it’s not so good in that that fact denies the individual their unique success based solely on their efforts. And that is critical to their self-esteem! So here we are. How can we each achieve the lofty
and satisfying position of knowing we have made a difference through our work in this business? Here are my thoughts: 1)Overcome your fear of ridicule or criticism. This is number one on my list for a reason. It paralyzes so many people. I understand that. So many times – even recently – I have poked my head up and said or done something that may run counter to popular opinion and been subject to a rash of public criticism. It’s not fun! It’s normal not to enjoy that when it happens. But you have to accept the fact that if you are trying to do something or change something you will be bound to ruffle some feathers. You cannot be crushed by that. 2)Work for GOOD clients – that means good people – who want you to do something worthwhile because they care about what is
See MARK ZWEIG, page 10
THE ZWEIG LETTER MARCH 1, 2021, ISSUE 1381
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