You’re Doing Enough
Hi there,
Some weeks it feels like no matter how much you do, it’s never enough. The deadlines keep coming, the messages pile up, and the goals shift just as you get close to finishing something. You stay late, skip breaks, and still go to bed wondering if you did enough to keep up.
Here’s the truth: You did!
Your value is not determined by someone else’s measurement. The workplace is one of the worst places to define human worth. It rewards titles, degrees, and the right kind of résumé far more than it rewards empathy, effort, or integrity. People are eliminated from jobs every day not because they can’t contribute, but because they didn’t attend the “right” school, didn’t hold the “right” title, or didn’t fit a narrow definition of what success looks like.
I’ve been through a lot of interviews, and not once have I gotten screening questions designed to filter out bigots, racists, sexists, homophobes, or psychopaths. That alone says a lot about what the system actually values. It’s a big red flag of what’s considered negotiable and what isn’t in corporate America.
So if you’re feeling undervalued, remember this: the problem isn’t you. The system was never designed to recognize your full humanity. Your worth isn’t based on a performance review, a title, or a recruiter’s checklist. It’s measured in how you show up, how you care for others, and how you stay true to yourself in a structure that often forgets what matters most.
— Wesley Faulkner
Survival Tactic: Build a Brag Folder
Most workplaces are quick to point out what went wrong and slow to recognize what went right. That imbalance can make it easy to forget your impact and start questioning your own worth. One simple way to push back against that is to create a brag folder.
Here is how it works: every time someone compliments your work, thanks you for your help, or tells you that you made a difference, take a screenshot and save it to a dedicated brag folder. Do the same with emails. Create a folder in your inbox where you can store kind words, positive feedback, or proof of progress.
Over time, you will build a record of your wins, both big and small. It is incredibly useful during performance reviews or when updating your résumé, but it is also powerful on the days when you feel unseen. Looking back on the impact you have had helps you reconnect with what is true about you, not what the system says about you.
Here is something else you can try. Feed the contents of your brag folder into an LLM or a tool like NotebookLM. Ask it to summarize your achievements, identify patterns, or help you structure your accomplishments in a more formal way. I personally like to use NotebookLM to create a podcast version, a private audio recap that reminds you just how awesome you are.
Your brag folder is not vanity. It is evidence. It is a reminder that you matter, that your work leaves a mark, and that your value runs deeper than any title or performance review can measure.
When you approach the annual review with this strategy, you are not just participating in a ritual designed for your evaluation. You are protecting your contributions, amplifying your allies, and making the system work for you instead of against you.
When the system refuses to recognize your worth, keep your own receipts.
➡️ If you have a survival tip you would like to share, click the button below to submit it for the next newsletter.
The System is Broken: The Proof is all Around Us
American Workforce Burnout Hits a Six-Year High (Published October 9, 2025)
A new Aflac report found that burnout among American workers has reached its highest level since 2019. More than half of employees say they are stressed or exhausted most days, and many report feeling undervalued or unsupported by their employers. The study shows that even as companies talk about wellness, few are addressing the real causes of overwork. via Aflac Newsroom
Employer Reputation and Values Matter More Than Ever (Published October 9, 2025)
According to HR Dive, a growing number of workers are evaluating companies based on how they treat employees, not just compensation. Reputation, culture, and authenticity now play a major role in retention and recruiting. Employees want to work for organizations that walk the talk — not those that post empty slogans about caring for people. via HR Dive
Unemployment Claims Jump 11.6% (Published October 9, 2025)
The New Jersey Department of Labor reported an 11.6 percent rise in new unemployment claims, signaling that layoffs are still spreading even as many companies insist the labor market is “strong.” The increase reflects the uncertainty many workers feel about job stability heading into the end of the year. via NJBIA
Conquering Quiet Cracking (Published October 7, 2025)
HR leaders are finally starting to acknowledge the growing “quiet cracking” trend — employees staying in jobs but emotionally breaking under pressure. The article calls for leaders to focus on psychological safety and empathy, but few organizations seem to be doing so at scale. via HRO Today
Site Updates: Fixes and Progress
This past week, I attended a meetup for Neurodivergent Founders & Funders. I met several people who were supportive of what I’m building and interested in applying some of these best practices to the companies they’re creating. It was encouraging to see others who recognize the challenges of today’s work environment and want to build healthier systems from the ground up.
It’s a reminder that the goal is not only to help people survive their workplaces but also to create conditions where organizations can heal and grow stronger.
I’m continuing to fine-tune automation for social posts and community updates to make it easier for new people to find Work’s Not Working and join the discussion. Thank you to everyone who keeps sharing feedback, stories, and encouragement. Every bit of support helps this community take shape.
If there’s a feature you believe this community must have, I would love to hear it. The launch of the community is still on track for November 15, 2025 and everyone on this list has a guaranteed spot.
Spread the Word: Strength in Numbers
Know someone stuck in a job with no clear way out? Forward this issue and help them join the community now. Together we can build a space where no one has to face work struggles alone.
They want us to feel isolated, like our struggles are ours alone. But the more we come together, the fewer of us will fall through the cracks. Every new subscriber strengthens this network and makes it harder for broken systems to silence or divide us.
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