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Comment by jawns | Hacker News Reader

One of the skills I already have is the ability to work with difficult people or take on projects that need to be rescued and turn them around. That has been a valuable skill and has allowed me to develop a brand around it.

However, that doesn't mean that I enjoy working with difficult people or cleaning up other people's messes. I find those people just as off-putting as everyone else; I just happen to be better at masking it. And I find cleaning up messes just as tedious and challenging as everyone else; I just happen to be able to do it anyway.

So I think one of the skills I want to better develop in 2025 is being able to strike a better balance between the things I'm recognized for being good at and the things I actually enjoy doing.

(And if anyone has tips for how to make use of this skill set in a way that's genuinely fulfilling rather than draining, I'm all ears!)

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I use this same (or similar) skill to solve the unsolvable problems by listening to a customers needs, which usually somebody hasn't done by the time they get to me, and then work on fulfilling that need in a way the customer never would have expected. It's very rewarding and turns a negative interaction into a positive one. It's customer service 101 type stuff, but when you get the technical side involved, and you're competent, you become more than a punching bag and become the solution. It's so fun.

> One of the skills I already have is the ability to work with difficult people or take on projects that need to be rescued and turn them around.

That is one damn good Superpower! Develop it further and charge/ask more for the job. Advertise it in big bold letters to management/clients/everybody. As you say, that is your "brand".

> And if anyone has tips for how to make use of this skill set in a way that's genuinely fulfilling rather than draining, I'm all ears!

Do not let the above take over your life. Practice detachment via "Self-Distancing" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distancing_(psychology)) and drop it from your mind/consciousness when not working. Also see;

Self-Distancing: What It Is and How You Can Use It to Make Better Decisions - https://effectiviology.com/self-distancing-rational-decision...

> work with difficult people

My strategy, to avoid getting frustrated, is usually to work around them or not take them seriously, rather than work with them. I speak from experience (generally a people pleaser).

That said, sometimes people feel difficult at first, but after giving what they say or do some thought, it starts to make sense.

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it sounds like you should look into stoic philosophy. I think it is overly hyped, and actually caused me some damage when I applied it too much, for too long, but definitely one of several worthwhile perspectives to have deeply internalized.

Those are great skills. Would another course of action work for you ? For example selecting projects that bring more money, so as to spend less time on those boring projects (saved time could be used on things you enjoy then)

Maybe work with difficult high performers? Talented people who are difficult because they're brash rather than untalented people who are difficult because they're messy.

Isn't it fulfilling already because you get things done where others may fail? Also how do you do it? I'd love any tip you may have.

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