Have you ever played games that feel like you’re just “so close” to winning, and then the wrong thing happens? You get the wrong shaped blocks, or the wrong multiplier pops up, or some other ‘unlucky’ event.
How about slot machines? Just seems like you’re almost about to win?
These are both variables reward systems – they “pay off” at an unpredictable rate that’s often set to barely keep you hooked.
Some of those games are based heavily on luck, especially slot machines.
They don’t have patterns, they don’t “get hot” or know “when you’re due.”
It makes sense that when you don’t get the win, you assign that mostly or all to luck, not to lack of skill.
If you hang around slots, you’ll likely here all of these –
“I’m due.”
“This time for sure.”
“It’s got to happen soon.”
“Just a few more spins.”
Variably Rewarded
You’re a part of other variable reward systems.
Like raises. Bonus opportunities. Promotions.
None of these feel consistent (unless you’re very fortunate). Many times you feel like you merit them, only to be told no. And truth be told, most businesses understand that you’ll probably stick it out for a while if you don’t get them, because the costs of changing jobs feels like too big of a risk.
So you’re trapped in what feels like a slot machine. Keep pulling the lever (showing up and doing your job), maybe it will pay off on the next spin.
Getting Out
Unfortunately, companies operate with a high amount of inertia. Variable rewards has “worked” (for the company, not the employees) as a strategy for decades, and changing that won’t happen overnight.
You do your job well, produce results beyond the norm, and get “We don’t have raises in the budget right now.”
And because you feel the tension between not knowing a better way to do your job (skill) and a system that seems to be arbitrary (luck, fate), you start to field those disappointments as luck.
“Next time. I’m due. I’ll happen. It’s coming.”
It’s a coping pattern.
Yes, there are factors you don’t control directly about raises, promotions, and the like. And if you understand the role that luck or fate plays, you become less likely to question your performance and your worth.
It’s never black and white, 100% skill or 100% luck. But when it feels like luck “wins” over skill too many times, you unfairly start to lose trust in your skill.
You’re good enough. And you can keep getting better every day.
Don’t let a broken system wipe out your trust in yourself. Your work is not the slot machines.
You can do this. I can help.