Career News 24/7: The Cynical Girl: Control Freak

Friday, August 9, 2013

The Cynical Girl: Control Freak

Posted: 07 Aug 2013 03:45 AM PDT

Frank_Underwood_-_House_of_Cards Anyone ever call you a control freak?

I think that’s a lazy thing to say to someone.

Me? I am not a control freak despite what my family and friends might say. I am more of an observer. I am hyper-aware of what is happening. I am hyper-vigilant about the things and people I love. And I am proactive.

Those skills help me understand a situation.

On a good day, I can see for miles.
On a great day, I can see right into your soul.

This is what made me a pretty good HR lady.

But being hyper-aware and hyper-vigilant also makes for crazy and destructive narcissists. And I would say that I fit that category — neurotic, judgmental, self-important — more than “control freak.”

But there is hope for me. Sometimes I make different choices and suffer the consequences just to mix up my day.

I think — Who knows? One day I might be surprised in a good way.

(I’m still waiting for that to happen. Who said I’m not an optimist?)

Control freaks are mean. I am not Francis Underwood. I am certainly not Claire Underwood, either. I try to stay on top of stuff . . . but I leave open the fact that I don’t always know who, what, when, where and how.

You should, too.

So remember a few things:

If anyone calls you a control freak to your face, you actually don’t have control.
You should stop aspiring to control things, anyway. It is boring.
You should aspire to understand people, concepts and choices.

Control is for people who lack vision. Control is for people who want to train their husbands to finally take out the garbage.

(I think there’s much more interesting stuff you can do with your time.)

Pay attention. Gain a competitive advantage. Don’t doubt yourself. You know what’s what. Keep your head in the game.

And remember that the price of success isn’t control. It’s eternal vigilance.