10 Things I Would Tell My Younger Self About Work
Reflecting back over a career spanning over 40 years, in diverse roles ranging from counsellor, manager, lawyer, business owner, academic, and consultant, here are a few things I wish I could share with my younger self about work:
Worry less about where your overall career direction is heading. Test, pivot, adapt, enjoy and go with the flow. It will turn out okay.
It takes years to become a good manager. Trust your people. Most will do the right thing by you. Don’t micromanage them.
Only listen to feedback (positive & negative) from people you respect. Stop people pleasing as it is impossible to do.
Most of the bad things I worried about never actually happened. What a waste of emotional energy. Accept that a large part of your working life will just be problem solving.
You do overestimate what you can do in one year, and underestimate what you can do in ten years.
Your health – physical, mental & emotional – it should always come first. You can make money anytime, without health - you cannot.
Take regular vacations. Long ones. Overseas.
Working for yourself is the hardest & best thing you will ever do.
Work/Life balance is a work in progress. It is a journey, not a destination.
Enjoy your work, be passionate about it – the dollars will follow.
No, I am not retiring – I doubt I ever will!
I’m just taking a moment or two to reflect, which is something I think we should all do occasionally.
If you are struggling with your career direction or having an issue with your work, reach out to us here and let’s see what we can do to help you.
