Student Question
Hello Master, I joined the company as a fresh graduate with no experience, doing design work. With the hard work of my supervisor and mentor guiding me, I’ve gradually been able to handle more challenging designs, and my supervisor has been satisfied with the results. But there’s one big issue I’d like to ask you about.
I feel like I’ve never completed a single design entirely on my own. In over two years at this company, almost every task has had a mentor or experienced colleague involved or guiding me. I’ve tried to work independently, but when I can’t finish something, I get anxious. Some problems are technical — I rack my brain and still have no idea, and I’m afraid of going over deadline — so I end up asking colleagues for help. Over time, colleagues have started proactively stepping in to help whenever they see me struggling.
My supervisor has also been very good to me. He seems satisfied with the results he can see, and I’ve received three raises in my two years here — especially the most recent one, which was a big jump. That’s a good thing, and I’m grateful to Master Chi. Joining the community over a year ago has helped me grow quite a bit.
But lately I’ve been anxious every single day. When my supervisor gave me the raise, he told me I’d been doing well and to keep it up — but then he also said that if my output ever becomes inconsistent, he’ll let me go. I feel like I don’t deserve that salary. What if the colleagues who help me one day resign? What if my supervisor eventually realizes I can’t produce satisfying work on my own, and he’s disappointed? What if I get let go and then discover at a new company that I can’t work independently?
Some nights I can’t sleep at all, just lying there worrying. I am trying to study and improve, but the 996 work schedule leaves very little time to learn. On top of the anxiety and insomnia, my daily work performance is suffering. I feel behind compared to my colleagues. Every time I think about having to go to work the next day, I start to panic.
Master Chi’s Response
Let me ask you something — what exactly does “completing a task independently” even mean? If three people’s worth of work gets done by one person, does that count as independent? You complete a small task on your own, while your supervisor completes a large task — does he count as independent? His work is still just one piece of a larger whole. By that logic, the company’s owner should be the most “independent” of all — but his work gets done by everyone else in the company too.
You’re tying yourself in knots over this, but you don’t actually have a clear definition of what “independent” means. Here’s a thought: imagine a new hire comes in and you’re asked to mentor them. They ask you, “How do I do this?” You explain it. They ask, “Did I do that right?” You give feedback. You’re just passing on what you already know — does that count as them completing the task independently?
Here’s a concrete plan for you:
Focus on what your leader actually assigns you. Don’t scatter your energy — do what you’re asked to do, and do it well.
Think about how to optimize your current work. Is there a way to do it faster, more efficiently? That kind of thinking is what separates good employees from great ones.
Keep a log of problems you run into at work. Where do things tend to go sideways? How should they be handled? These are valuable lessons. The more you accumulate, the more you can take on naturally.
If you’re genuinely lost, talk to your supervisor about direction. Ask them to help you identify a specific path forward. A supervisor won’t turn down a subordinate who’s genuinely trying to improve.
For the insomnia and anxiety, consider seeing a doctor. If nothing comes up medically, try melatonin — it can help with sleep. Getting proper rest goes a long way toward lowering anxiety.