I hate being evaluated. Whether it’s by a stranger in a public place, my boss or peers at work, my parents or siblings, or even my niece, I hate having to sit down and listen to what someone thinks about me.

I feel badly when something negative is pointed out. I feel humble when something good is mentioned. I can get defensive. I can feel proud. But any way you slice it, being evaluated isn’t fun.

At work, we’re invited to talk to students and tell them about what we do and how we contribute to the company. My spiel is usually very short and straightforward: This is what I do. This is how I can help you. Here’s a blurb on how I got here. Good luck joining the world after your graduate.

Some of the students write up evaluations after our meetings. I read one yesterday that jolted me. It wasn’t negative or offensive, but it caused me to have a “What the hell am I doing here?” kind of moment. In a twisted kind of way, I felt like the student’s comment was posing that very question to me: You’re smart. You’re interesting. I wonder why you gave up on pursuing something better?

It’s one thing when family and friends ask me that question. It’s completely different to hear it from a stranger.

I’ve been talking to a friend lately about being motivationally challenged. I think I found a little bit in the evaluation I read. Thanks, nameless student. Be good to me if you ever become my boss… but I’m gonna make sure that doesn’t happen.