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Honors Society

User Profile: Enthenia
Enthenia December 3rd, 2023

I was glad to be nomonated for it at first because I thought it would be a good thing to have on my resumé but as I'm waiting for the go-ahead to do the next step, I'm not so sure.

This honors society is more of a leadership society and not an academic one like I had thought. I know the skills obtained would be an asset but it would require a lot more communication than what I think I can give. We have to build a group (once we are allowed to move to the next step), declare a goal and then participate in discussions and encourage everyone.

I don't do group discussions. I hardly do one on one discussions aside from occasional small talk with neighbors when I walk the dog. It's not I don't want to; it's just that past attempts at being amicable have not turned out well and I have learned that keeping my mouth shut is the best option. Like with my stressful job. Most of the time I'm entirely too busy to say anything and when I have said things, it's been taken out of context and used against me. In truth, that's why I decided to go back to school and pursue a technology degree.

But because of my past experiences, I doubt the sincerity of praise. That does go back to my current job as well. We get general "we appreciate you" as a department but on an individual basis it's different. At least for me it is. Since I don't relate well to others, I can't speak for them (of course part of that stems from a fear of things being taken out of context and spun a different way than what was intended.) So with the congratulatory remarks that I would receive in this society I would wonder about the reasons behind it. Would it be genuine or would it be just because it is a requirement?

I have no idea. Then there's the difficulty of me being way more personable than I am. I am not exactly a people person which goes against the conception of a leader. I doubt I could inspire anyone. Right now my life seems to be an endless sea of chaos (something I don't like) with impossible work demands, school, pets, and now this honors society so being an inspiration or a cheerleader for someone else's goals really does not seem viable to me.

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User Profile: kaltain
kaltain December 3rd, 2023

@Enthenia 

It sounds like you're dealing with a lot, and the idea of taking on additional responsibilities with the honors society feels overwhelming. It's completely okay to reassess your priorities, especially when it comes to commitments that involve significant time and effort.

 

Firstly, consider the goals you have for yourself. If being part of this honors society doesn't align with those goals or adds unnecessary stress to your life, it's okay to step back. Your mental well-being and managing the existing demands on your plate should take precedence. Being a leader or an inspiration doesn't always mean being outgoing or an extrovert. Leadership can manifest in various forms, including quiet determination, problem-solving skills, and leading by example. Then again, leadership roles and group discussions aren't the only ways to grow professionally or personally. If you're unsure about the sincerity of such societies or the potential value it might bring, it's reasonable to weigh the pros and cons before investing more effort into it. You don't have to force yourself into situations that make you uncomfortable or increase your stress levels. 


Ultimately, the decision about joining the honors society should revolve around whether it genuinely aligns with your personal and professional growth and if it's something that brings value to your life. It's okay to prioritize your well-being and focus on what matters most to you at this moment.


Love,

Kal.



1 reply
User Profile: Enthenia
Enthenia OP December 4th, 2023

@kaltain Thank you for the reply. My responses may seem delayed. Part of that is because of having a nine month old herding dog at home and her downtime lasts for only a couple of hours so I have to cram as much as I can into that timeframe because once she's awake, pretty much all my time goes to entertaining her otherwise she gets in to things.

She's also the reason for extra stress and expense. Since she's an animal, there isn't much I can do about it which also frustrates me because it seems like my efforts are never good enough. 

The expenses I have incurred because of her (vet visits, toys, hospital bills, furniture, food, etc.) Is another reason why I would like better job opportunities and this society has its own job board. I also understand the importance of networking; I'm just not good at it. Part of the setback comes from not having confidence in my own product I guess. I know my perspective may not be congruous to the perspective of others but it is all I have.

How can one with any sincerity promote something inherently flawed? 

It may put extra stress on me but I've become accustomed to a constant barrage of stress. It's just me and two animals so I have to endure everything. I don't exactly have a choice. 

If completing the steps for the induction into this ceremony can help give me options I don't have then it's something worth considering. Or I could be wrong. It wouldn't be the first time. Sometimes it feels like being in the middle of a field with nothing around but grass for acres upon acres. 

I may not be explaining it correctly but I should get back to work. I'm still behind.

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User Profile: Enthenia
Enthenia OP January 3rd, 2024

Update I guess. So I have all the steps completed except the networking teams. A few options for this. One is to join their *** group and solicit potential team members. Another is tocreate a group yourself through your personal network.  Both of these options require way more sociability than what I have. The third option is to find a lical chapter and attend virtual meetings. But they are all at times that I can't do. 

I guess for now, I'm stuck.