Gratitude would not be my first reaction to squandering 14 years in jobs I hated, even if the experience led me to love what I were doing now. Jobst’s focus on the silver lining of gratitude downplays—or worse, dismisses—the irrevocable damage of wasted time.
Wasted time is the perfectionist nightmare—the antithesis of achievement. I regret the years I was unhappy and unfulfilled. Looking back with anything but a desire for a do-over feels dishonest and risks losing touch with the motivation to avoid repeating my mistakes. Yes, I appreciate the progress I’ve made, but I’m also bitter about the high price.
Needing to waste time in order to appreciate time is absurd. Struggle and loss have undeniably helped me appreciate what has followed, but it feels discordant to imply they have been necessary. Perfectionism demands alternatives to time-sucking mistakes and misfortunes.
Still, I love this quote. When I step back from my perfectionist frame of reference, I find several inspirational lessons:
- Accept with honesty the errors of your past. Jobst is courageously candid about hating 14 years of his working life.
- Reconcile the price you paid with what you received in return. By calling himself “lucky”, Jobst shows that he accepts the 14-year price tag of his present satisfaction.
- As you make peace with your past, its power over your present decreases. Jobst has moved on to the point he can focus on his new career.
- Find the gratitude. Jobst might seem to be contriving gratitude from disaster, but I believe he is purposefully carrying forward what is most helpful.