Being of use to someone

In the book "The Courage to Be Disliked" by Ichiro Kishimi, the author discusses Adlerian psychology, also known as individual psychology. One of the key points that resonated with the author was the concept of feeling "useful to someone" as a way to truly gauge one's worth. The author, who has spent over 15 years in the IT industry, found it difficult to identify moments where they felt they made a positive contribution.

After a recent freelance contract where they were burned by untrustworthy individuals, the author took a break from IT work. Although they had saved up enough to afford these breaks, the author struggled to find work that provided a sense of usefulness. They recalled a sense of fulfillment when they started their first IT job, creating booking systems for airlines that made travel easier and more affordable for passengers.

However, in subsequent projects, particularly those in finance and major digital infrastructure initiatives, the author felt disconnected from any tangible impact on the end users. The author believes that these off-the-beaten-path projects, where their work seemed to benefit only organizations with ample resources, may have contributed to their burnout.

They realized that to avoid burnout in the future, they need to seek out jobs or projects that offer a clear sense of usefulness to others. While freelancing offers financial freedom and the ability to take time off, the author suggests that finding work with a direct positive impact may allow them to work with a smaller salary while still feeling fulfilled.