Locked In

The time available didn't seem enough. To crunch in the work for the day, I had to manage my focus and time effectively. When the day was finally over and I was about to leave, a colleague walked up to me and said, "There's word around that you're very serious, and I have indeed confirmed that it is true." I first wondered how minding my business became so conspicuous, but it was when I asked for clarity that I realized what I wasn't seeing.

For someone who doesn't indulge in drawing attention, it was interesting to see that people had certain notions of me somehow and someway, based on the things I do. While you cannot determine the thoughts and opinions of others, you can most certainly influence them by your actions. In other words, dress the way you'd like to be addressed.

When I asked what exactly was meant by "serious," it turned out that it meant that I didn't spend my attention on generally unproductive things—that I was mostly locked in and seemed like I was following a strategy and structure. One person got a glimpse of my calendar when it notified me about reading a book and later remarked some weeks later that he had observed just how organized I was.

"And I have indeed confirmed it" meant that he really often found me grinding even when it's closing hours.

I was taken aback a bit by these remarks. I was sure that I was doing what pretty much every other person was doing in the office—going for their goals for the day. I mean, they're usually at their PCs as long as I usually am. So it made me wonder, "Isn't that what you all think about everybody, then? At least, that's what I assume." But I guess not. I guess people are watching a little closer than you'd think.

It was a good thing they saw that I was indeed a serious person, regardless of how down-to-earth and much of a conversationalist I could be during casual interactions. We all know how constrictive it can be when people generally think of you as an unserious person.

In that moment, I realized that people are watching a little closer than you think. While one shouldn't live for the notions of others and feed on external validation, it's important to know that one can keenly use this observation to their advantage. Perhaps your helper's around the corner, waiting.

_{Images in this post belong to me}