The Choice to Protect Margin

Hello, this is Shizukana Tane (Quiet Seed)🌱

The other day, I was called in by my boss at work.

The topic was a request to move up a deadline.

I listened to what they had to say, but no matter how I looked at it, the workload was quite demanding.

In the middle of that, my boss suddenly said this.

“Because it lowers costs.”

When I heard those words, I remembered a note article I had written before.

Mass production. Mass consumption. Mass disposal.

In the flow of constantly seeking efficiency and speed, it eventually comes down to a conversation about “costs.”

And perhaps those costs are, in the end, directed toward people’s time and margin.

I used to think about things like that from a bit of a distance.

But the other day, I felt like I actually sensed that atmosphere in the workplace.

Of course, a company has its own circumstances.

Profit is necessary, and there is competition.

So, this isn’t a story about my boss being bad or the company being bad.

It’s just that I felt once again, “Ah, the company really does operate on its own logic.”

And at that moment.

I also noticed a difference in myself compared to a little while ago.

If it were the old me, I think I would have been,more anxious than necessary,just like everyone else.

When those around me seem busy, I feel like I have to move with the same intensity.

I was unconsciously swallowed up by that atmosphere.

But yesterday, it was a little different.

Of course, I still do my work.

However, I didn't try to force myself to accelerate to the point of burning out.

Being busy.

Not being busy.

Being just a little busy.

I feel like I was choosing that intensity myself, just a little bit.

And then, what happened afterward.

While I was working, there were moments when I thought, 'I might not make the deadline at this rate.'

If it were the old me, I think I would have pushed myself too hard out of that anxiety.

But this time, I didn't drive myself harder than necessary.

And the result was a little different.

Without anyone saying anything in particular, my boss and people from other departments came to help me.

At that moment, I thought about it again.

Maybe the old me was taking everything on alone, thinking, 'I have to work harder.'

But in reality, there are times when those around you will support you depending on the situation.

Maybe pushing yourself more than necessary isn't the only right answer.

The article I wrote before, 'Don't be swayed, but don't fight.'

I feel like I was able to use that feeling in reality just a little bit yesterday.

It's not about resisting everything.

But it is about not getting swept up in the atmosphere more than necessary.

While keeping a little distance, I also maintain my own pace.

Recently, as I continue to organize my life, I feel like I'm less likely to be swept up in the atmosphere than before.

Perhaps "protecting your margin" is just a accumulation of these small choices.

Recently, as I continue to organize my diet and my life, I feel like I'm less likely to be swept up in the atmosphere than before.