5 Must-Do's for Career Mastery

The bad thing about having 10 years of experience in the corporate world is there are still 35 more to go before retirement. The good thing is having 10 years of knowledge, lessons learned, screw-ups, and wisdom. I felt lost and alone in my first few years of office life, which is why I created this newsletter: to give others the help I never had. It's also why I've made 1,400+ career development videos on TikTok since 2020. It's why I started my Podcast , and why I'm giving a TedX on Managing Gen Z on Dec 3, 2023.

Lastly, it's why I BECAME A PUBLISHED AUTHOR YESTERDAY with my book: Surviving Office Life. Click this link to pre-order (it comes out Dec 1). Pinch me :)

In the dynamic world of corporate life, just 'making it through the day-to-day' isn't enough. To truly succeed, you need a strategy that helps you stand out, grow, and maintain your well-being. In this week's newsletter, I'm sharing five key strategies that helped me navigate office life. With each one, I'll give you actionable steps to take, designed to help you excel in the office and propel your career forward.

1. Cultivating Strong Relationships: The Foundation of Career Development

I used to hate the idea of networking. I envisioned a bunch of men in ill-fitting suits gathered around a booth at a trade show, shaking hands and exchanging business cards. But over the years, I've learned that I was very wrong about that. Keith Ferrazzi (American author and entrepreneur) said it best when describing networking: "The currency of real networking is not greed but generosity." Here is how I envision networking in my life, today:

1. I meet someone, either virtually or in person,
2. Over a 30-minute conversation, we identify how we can support each other
3. We both execute on #2 (keeping to our word)
4. Then I introduce them to someone else I know who could also create a win-win like step 2

If you're afraid of networking, or you still don't see the benefit, here are some actionable steps you can take to get the party started:

Actionable Steps:

• Networking Beyond the Surface: Engage actively in company events and industry conferences. It's not just about exchanging business cards; it's about creating lasting connections that can open doors to new opportunities and insights. Say "Hi" to a different stranger every day, you never know who you'll meet.
• The Power of Mentorship: Identify a mentor who aligns with your career aspirations. This relationship is a two-way street; it’s about learning and also bringing your unique perspectives to the table. Don't just "take", but aim to "give" also. This is the piece of networking that's often missing.
• Coffee Chats as a Relationship Catalyst: Regular, informal coffee meetings with colleagues can lead to unexpected collaborations and insights. These interactions humanize workplace relationships, fostering a supportive environment. Don't ask someone if you can "pick their brain", tell them you admire them and ask if there's anything you can do for them before you ask for a favor. I met Tiffany Uman through TikTok and LinkedIn. She introduced me to Diana Yuen Kei Chan , who then introduced me to Daniel Botero . I have learned a thousand things from these three superheroes in the past few weeks. Although we're all in the same space (career coaching), they all three said to me: "We believe in collaboration over competition". I felt a spark of inspiration after each of these three conversations.

2. Mastering Communication: The Key to Effective Collaboration

We've all seen "good communication skills" on a job description, but that means something different to everyone. To one person it may mean "being bilingual", to another, it may mean "managing up and engaging leadership". My absolute favorite communication expert is Jessica Chen from Soulcast Media . She gives actionable tips on communication on many different platforms including TikTok , Instagram , and LinkedIn . Here are a few actionable steps for improving your communication skills:

Actionable Steps:

• The Art of Active Listening: It’s not just about hearing but understanding and empathizing. In meetings, focus on the nuances of what is being said, and respond in a way that shows genuine engagement. Don't just listen to respond, listen to understand. I have mastered this after years of therapy and it has changed most of my relationships for the better.
• Feedback as a Growth Tool: Constructive feedback can be your most valuable learning resource. Create a feedback loop with your peers and supervisors to regularly assess and refine your approach. It's always ok to say "Thank you for the feedback". Try to recognize that feedback is a gift, not a punishment.
• Elevating Written Communication: From concise emails to impactful reports, your written communication is often the first impression you make. Invest time in developing a clear, professional writing style that reflects your attention to detail. Use tools like Grammarly to help with spelling, grammar, and tone.

3. Efficient Time Management and Productivity: Maximizing Your Potential

I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was 9 and I have spent the last 20+ years learning tools to combat that so I don't have to take prescription medication anymore. I felt that the medicine (like Adderall) snuffed the fire that was my humor, wit, and curiosity. I forced myself to find tools to use instead of pills. Two of my favorites are the Pomodoro Timer (free on any app store, Google or Apple ) and the Eisenhower Matrix .

The Pomodoro Timer helps you stay focused on a task by timing you and giving you strategically placed breaks. You work on something for 25 minutes, then take a 5 minute break. Then another 25 minutes, then another 5 minute break. Then after your third 25 minute block, you get a longer break. This works for me.

The Eisenhower Matrix helps you prioritize and shorten your to-do list. Using a 4 quadrant system, you put all your to-do list items in 4 buckets: things you should do now, things you should schedule for a later date, things you can delegate, and things you can delete. How do you categorize these? By order of urgency and importance. For example, if something is urgent and important, do it now. Alternatively, if something is neither urgent or important, delete it from the list. Give it a try today.

Here are some more actionable steps:

Actionable Steps:

• Strategic Prioritization: Beyond just listing tasks, understand their impact on your goals. Prioritize tasks that align with your key objectives, and use tools like the Eisenhower Matrix for better decision-making.
• Time Blocking for Focused Success: This technique isn’t just about scheduling tasks; it’s about dedicating your best hours to your most important work, ensuring quality output without burnout. For me, working on critical thinking-type tasks after I exercise has become a game-changer. Alternatively, using my brain after 8pm is a no-go. How about you?
• The Smart Art of Delegation: Delegation isn't a sign of weakness; it's a sign of a smart leader. Identify tasks that can be effectively handled by others, allowing you to focus on areas where you add the most value.

4. Lifelong Learning and Skill Enhancement: Staying Ahead of the Curve

Funny story: when I was in my last month of grad school at Cal Poly, I had a freak-out moment. "Oh no! Was I about to stop learning forever?! Graduation is right around the corner, how and when will I ever again learn new things?" (I'm dramatic, what can I say?) I rushed to the bookstore and picked up the first book I could find: Learning Mandarin for Dummies. I began (randomly) learning how to write characters in Mandarin. I eventually gave up 2 weeks later when I finally came to my senses and realized: learning is a lifelong pursuit. School isn't the end of it, in fact, it is just the beginning.

Since then, I have become a LinkedIn Learning Nano Instructor, you can view my course here: Cultivating an Effective Relationship With Your Manager . My second course comes out in about a month, it's called "How to Set Healthy Boundaries & Expectations at Work". I'm not only a student of life, now I'm a teacher :) Full. Circle. Moment.

Here are some actionable steps you can take if you're like me and LOVE learning:

Actionable Steps:

• Goal-Oriented Learning: Your learning should align with your career trajectory. Set short-term and long-term goals, and identify skills and knowledge areas that will propel you towards these goals. If you like structured goal setting, I recommend the Full Focus Planner where you're taught to set quarterly goals and reflect on progress regularly. I use this every day. Thank you Marlo Lyons (one of my favorite career coaches and goal-setters) for showing me this awesome tool!
• Leveraging Online Learning Platforms: The digital age offers a treasure trove of learning resources. From LinkedIn Learning to Coursera, find courses that not only enhance your existing skills but also introduce you to new domains. Last night, I learned how Stonehenge predicts eclipses. What will you learn today?
• Cross-Departmental Learning for Holistic Growth: Understanding how different parts of your company work can provide invaluable context for your role and can help you develop a more holistic approach to your tasks. Stay curious my friends. Ask questions, talk to strangers, smile, and nod. Then repeat.

5. Balancing Work Stress and Personal Well-being: Essential for Longevity

My TedX talk that I'm giving in 1 week from now is about managing Gen Z at work. I introduce the concept of Gen Z's ABCs: Appreciate them, Support them Setting Boundaries, and Challenge Them. I'm seeing young people embrace healthy boundaries at work to protect their mental health. I commend them for this; it's something previous generations didn't really do. Boundaries help to create clear guidelines on how someone wants to be treated. When someone is treated well: they'll stick around. One of the points I will make in my TedX talk is that we need to support Gen Z and their boundary setting so they won't have to turn toward quiet quitting or job hopping.

Here are some actionable steps for staying healthy-minded at work:

Actionable Steps:

• Effective Stress Management Techniques: Regularly engage in activities that reduce stress. Whether it’s yoga, a hobby, or simply taking a walk, find what helps you unwind and integrate it into your routine. I love listening to guided meditations on Spotify. Two apps that help with this are Calm and Headspace . I highly recommend both.
• Setting and Respecting Boundaries: In the era of remote and hybrid work, boundaries can blur. Be proactive in defining your work hours and personal time, and communicate these boundaries clearly to your team.
• The Importance of Taking Time Off: Utilize your vacation time for mental and emotional rejuvenation. It’s essential to disconnect completely from work occasionally to maintain a healthy perspective on your life and career. Take your Paid Time Off like a vitamin: regularly. If you don't, you may find yourself needing an un-paid leave of absence as a form of emergency medicine. Remember, take the vitamin regularly, not emergency medicine once it's too late.

Thriving in the corporate world requires a multifaceted approach that encompasses relationship building, communication mastery, efficient time management, continuous learning, and a strong emphasis on personal well-being. By consistently developing in these areas, you can navigate the complexities of office life and carve a path to success and fulfillment in your career. I learned MOST of these the hard way, so I'm hoping to give you a leg-up by helping you short cut those life-lessons. Comment below anything you learned from this newsletter, or something you're curious about & will commit to trying today!

I’d love to hear how you’ve applied these strategies in your own career journey or any additional insights you may have.

What strategies have you found most effective in your professional journey? Let's share and learn from each other’s experiences. Comment below with your thoughts and tips!