I was inspired to what I just read just this morning on a blog post which you can find here. It is called "18 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I Was 18". The author was listing advises that might helped him when he was at that age.
I was inspired by the post since I will be applying for a new job and it kept me wondering, how was I doing with my career and how is my future? Here are some things I've learned which I had based on his article.
1. Forgive your mistakes - He mentioned to commit ourselves to making many mistakes. Yes, it is true especially when we've done our best for that choice. If there's a decision or move that you regret in the past, accept that it is because during that time, we know, we did our best for that. We're only human and its through those mistakes we learn the best. Mistakes that are one of the most painful, are also the ones who gives life long lessons. Those career related mistakes could be choosing the right college degree, company, job, things you said on an interview, things you could have done better, not taking risks, taking too much risks, and etc. It is just recently that I forgive myself for all things I did and never did.
2. Look past the financial gain - He said "Find hard work you love doing". This has been said and you heard many times before but there really is nothing out there that could give you than doing what you love doing. Till now, I still can't fathom this advice but I'm getting better at it. There are many jobs available out there if we chose to. Mostly, we are driven by the financial gain a job can give but that gives temporary satisfaction only, a temporary fix. When starting, always look at that goal of doing what you love so you could accept jobs that might be low on salary, over qualified, far from home, or etc but more likely take you closer to your goals. Just take the experience and learning.
3. Improve - He said "Invest time, energy and money in yourself every day". This is another thing difficult to do but easier said. To do this, what I do is, I always tell myself that everything I do should be meaningful and will help to improve myself. It is important to be constantly improving, competition is getting fiercer out there and we just don't know it. To keep up, while doing things, find something to learn from it, better, improve it. This includes many things even the most basic things we do like eating, taking a bath, walking, driving, conversing with people, and all. For example, a thing most people believe will learn nothing is watching TV. I believe there is something in it if we look past it and give thought on how the programs are done which we could take some learning.
4. Take risks - He said there " Explore opportunities and new ideas". I'm guilty of violating this one. Throughout my career, I believe I have not done enough risk. I believe this is true because I really have not put much effort to my career, to go after jobs I love doing with great desire. In another way, I did not took risks to put up a small business. You heard this before, "If you kept doing the same things, you will just keep getting the same", which is so true especially in my life. Risk taking entails a lot of energy and brings us closer to mistakes but people who take educated risks are the ones who will share you amazing and inspiring stories.
5. Communicate - If there's a misunderstanding, say it. No one is sensitive enough or it will not resolve by itself. This one requires above advice, taking risks. Communication involves risk but you will never get if you don't. For example, you're in this job you really like but the boss or colleague is doing something which you think otherwise or there's a person you really liked but not he/she does not have a clue. Take the risk. Do your best to create the dialogue and situation which will allow the party to compromise. If it fails, accept it,for it is advised above in #1.
6. Do it - If there's something you strongly believed in after reflecting all you can but there are little but many things which are hindering you, just do it. This one also entails risks but there is no satisfaction if we don't do something we believed in. First, how will we get it if we didn't try at all? Second, if we did not, it will linger in the mind what might have been. Third, if it failed, be glad since it is done and you could move on. Again, this will require #1 above.
7. Do not worry much of other people - I'm a big offender of this advice since I was young and would need much improvement. This aspect is the one that affects many of the above advice. If you believed in something so strong, do not worry much of other people. If we are wrong, we need not to worry for it is expected and is a learning experience.
Their success, how how happy they are, or whatever situation they're in right now should not matter to us. Never compare success or ourselves to others because we have our own direction. For the same reason, respect other people's journey.
8. Live within your means - On the article, live well below your means. If your current job is not what you love doing but it pays for what you love doing then do so. The only important wisdom here is only spend on what you really love and not on other people's likes so that you could still save some or spend more on what you love. For example, many people spend on expensive cars but you don't have to if you don't find value in it.
9. Respect - Not only in terms of you work with them or being professional, but, respect through limiting your performance and abilities. If you find yourself being far better than your colleagues, or even, your own boss, limit it. No one will appreciate your efforts except the pockets of shareholders.
10. Take things by their smooth progression - Be patient. Even with smaller goals or steps, things can't get easily hopeless and difficult. After a setback, take a break, reflect on what happened. If there's anything, usually, it's not our fault or out of our control. Rest and gather energy enough to do it again.
11. Choose to be happy - I hate being pessimistic to myself and to you but there's nothing in this world that could make us happy. Nothing. We are happy because we chose to! That seems difficult to comprehend but, in my humble opinion, its the reason why we are happy.
No comments:
Post a Comment