A very inspiring manager asked us that. In trying times, I admit, I too ask myself that. "When you wake up and don't feel excited anymore about working, it means you have to get out." I say, amen to that!

This morning, while I was taking a bath, shivering to death from the icy water that froze overnight, I thought to myself. . . am I miserable because I hate my work or is it just because I hate the process of waking up? And it struck me, I am not miserable at all. I am truly excited about what I do. Having finally found what I enjoy doing most, I find myself filled with fear. . . fear of something going wrong, fear of finding I'm no good at this, fear that I don't have the same excuse as I had before -- I really do hate acocunting.

Well see how it goes with work. . . at this point, I am convinced that I am in a better place, much much better.

I just want to share and forever remember what this very wise manager told us today. A person who is the best need never look back and compete against his peers, because the person running nearest him is so far behind for him to be concerned or worried about. A person who is the best need only compete with himself, because he need only to compete with his last performance. This I believe, and how she articulated exactly how I felt. . . I have the highest respect for her.
I work, yes because I need financial stability. But more than anything else, I work to prove to myself, more than anyone else, that I have value. I am not out there because I want to make the world see that I am the best, that I am better than everybody else. I work because I want to be part of something bigger, something more than myself.

She adds with a question, "Does a high performing team always end as an achiever?" I'd answer this as "not always," but it does not change the fact that the team is performing well. I have been part of amazing teams in the past. And our endeavors do not always end up on the top. But win or not. . . I always end up feeling a winner, because we have conquered something bigger than mere recognition. We have conquered each other. When I say conquer, I mean. . . we have learned to deal and accept each other, to work together, laugh together, to panic together, to stay nights together, to pray together, to cry in defeat (sometimes). Doing all these things with a group of people who you start as "not knowing but just mere acquaintances" and end up being more like brothers and sisters, for me that is the greatest achievement.

After having been deprived of having this kind of team for so long, I am yearning to be part of a team like this. A team where every one is valued. A team who wins together and accepts defeat together. A team who, in the office are my colleagues, but at the same time my friends to the core.

If I can earn this in my current organization, then I can finally say: "I am at the right place!"