'I Think My Work is Mediocre...'
'I Think My Work is Mediocre...'
That honest admission comes easily to one accomplished professional
Not many people are going to publicly confess that they believe some of their work is less than excellent or even good. Maybe that is either because it feels too dangerous to admit out of concerns or fear of how they will be perceived or it is too hard on their ego. Yet recently, one respected, well-known professional in their field has admitted that they were not pleased with a final product that they presented and overall, are not a fan of themselves.
It’s a story reported by Alli Rosenbloom at CNN.com.
“I think my work is mediocre in it,” actor Gary Oldman said of his performance playing Sirius Black in the 'Harry Potter' movies," wrote Rosenbloom, adding, 'maybe if I had read the books' like the late Alan Rickman did, Oldman might feel differently."
He knows his questionable work ethic led to what he sees as a substandard outcome. That’s likely to communicate for Oldman and yet it wasn’t the only self-criticism he shared in an interview.
“I’d put it all on a fire and burn it and do it all again,” he said of his acting portfolio.
He doesn’t have imposter syndrome or hate himself though. What he does do however is “nitpick” his work in an effort “to make the next thing better.”
Oldman is appreciated by many in his industry, including movie goers yet he sees problems with his work that they don’t recognize.
“When someone consistently finds flaws in their work despite constant appreciation by others, it indicates an extreme level of self-awareness and desire for excellence,” says Jennifer Gray, a therapist and business coach at Jennifer Gray Counseling.
“This level of self-critique suggests a person values excellence over complacency, even if it’s uncomfortable. For folks like this, it's not about the misery, it's about unwavering commitment to quality and continuous improvement.”
Chasing improvement and their definition of perfection is natural to them and a default setting.
“They seek to reach a higher-than-average bar and feel as close to flawless as possible,” Gray points out. “It is the constant level-up and refinement, stretching the self farther than ever before to produce the best work. Perfection may be an elusive goal to some, but not to these professionals.”
When Oldman spoke at ease about how he grades his performance, it may surprise others who feel that they cannot respond similarly. It’s not easy for everyone. It requires a certain peace about who one is and what they accomplish and don’t.
“Being humble and critical of one's work signifies a healthy level of self-awareness, authenticity and an openness to growth,” Gray says, explaining that, “This person can acknowledge their imperfections and learn from their mistakes.”
There is a byproduct of this, she asserts.
“Not only does this create a stronger sense of confidence and capability in the self, but this genuine transparency can foster trust in professional relationships too,” Gray points out.
Many in society claim to struggle with imposter syndrome yet it doesn’t have to control a person’s assuredness, peace and outputs.
“We dismiss imposter syndrome by realizing that being confident doesn't mean being unaware of our imperfections,” Gray states. “Our moments of less-than (our best) are opportunities to reflect, learn, and evolve, not get stuck in eternal self-doubt.”
She explains what this can look like in practice.
“To root your confidence in competence, acknowledge your achievements, set clear goals, embrace continuous learning, surround yourself with a supportive network, seek feedback, embrace self-compassion and stay connected to your passion,” Gray details.
There is little wrong with, as Oldman understands and Gray says, with knowing and admitting that all our work, especially as high achievers, is not fantastic.
“Imperfections are not an unchangeable part of who we are,” she says. “They are reminders to continually raise the bar for your standard of excellence.”
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