Such comparisons provide the trainer with role models, mentors, colleagues, and students. It is much easier to have a vision of a future as a professional after exposure to many professional options, and becoming acquainted with colleagues and their organizations can help in this process. Developing and maintaining relationships with colleagues can also help in the prevention and management of stress. Feeling validated, recognizing successes, being realistic about limits and weaknesses, and identifying oneself as a member of a profession all contribute to self-esteem and satisfaction. Finding out what other trainers have been able to do and what they have not accomplished creates a context for assessing work demands.
Most trainers can dream up enough work to keep a team busy for years.
It is sometimes hard to be realistic about what can actually be accomplished. Discussing involvements and accomplishments with others provides a more reasonable limit to efforts. Then the crucial step becomes choosing the right tasks to do as opposed to trying to do everything. One important function of a collegial relationship is to provide a receptive port in a storm. During difficult times it is good to have another knowledgeable professional to talk to, complain to, strategize with, and receive support from all, in confidence.