diamond in the rough

i often ask myself, "how am i performing, work-wise?" am i doing better than when i started working at my current company last year? or have i been slacking off and getting lazy?

there was one time last year when my editor asked my colleagues and i to fill up individual self-evaluation forms. we were asked to rate things like professional skills, drive and interpersonal skills. i wrote what i thought represented my peformance so far. but i was doing better than i thought when my editor said i'd performed better than what i wrote in my evaluation form. i just need to brush up on my professional skills.

on and off, i get compliments for work improvement and attitude, which makes good motivation. and i just got promoted, which makes good motivation too... i think :p (one level up, though not much difference in terms of salary. haha)

my boyfriend has also been encouraging me to push myself further and shine more. have more effort and initiative. try to find out and learn more things. learn by trial and error.

he told me, "i know there's more potential in you than you yourself believe. you just need to have more faith in yourself, more self esteem. you've just gotta bring the best out in you. it's not easy and you've to go through hard times. a diamond is not easily formed and shaped".

and i, in turn, shall do to the best of my abilities and not let my fear of the unknown overpower me...