It could be a good thing. Not being needed can mean that you’re doing work that matters and supporting others.
Not being needed means that you’re setting others up for success; that you’ve created momentum and having trained people so well that they could replace you.
Too often we want to feel needed. It’s a status and ego thing.
But there’s a better way to evaluate your value than you being needed, relied upon and vital to the work.
Would they miss you if you were gone?
You can not be needed and be missed if you were gone.
Better customers want more from you. They want you to bring out the best of yourself. They want you to meet deadlines and deliver on the promises you make.
These are great customers to have because they make you better, which attracts better customers.
The same can be said for friends and clients and colleagues.
Better ones challenge you. They have high hopes. They pay you more. They expect you to leap.
An acquaintance of mine started a newsletter on beer. In his first communication, he shared how long he would run the newsletter for. He also went right into the newsletter. No tease, just content right away. Beyond those two noticeable elements, it was still somehow clear he was all in.
There’s something about commitment that’s easily perceived when it’s real, partly consciously, partly subconsciously.
And just as there’s inherent trust and attention when it’s present; there’s skepticism and distance when it’s not.
If you’re not committed, it’s worth reconsidering the endeavor; not in the sense of not leaping, but in the sense of what it would take to exude your commitment.