7 things I learnt this decade
Richard Edmondson
Executive Advisor - Executive Search Technology, Data and Product | Partner Norman Broadbent
As we close out the last full working week of the decade and I scroll through other's reflections of this time, I realise that the past ten years has held a number of firsts for me.
2010-2020 Firsts:
??I became a father
??I moved my family to the other side of the world
??I got fired
??I started a business
??I had a crisis of confidence
??I went to see a psychologist
??I became an Australian
??I acquired the earth-shattering freedom of knowing who I am
??I developed and sustained a daily meditation practice
??I learned how to talk about my own mental health, as I wanted to remove the stigma for others.
The importance of which was reaffirmed to me recently by Mark Gaisford in this amazing video
It’s been a rollercoaster, to say the least.
At times I could quite happily have stepped off the merry-go-round and gone back to 2008, happy to hide behind the apparently ultra-confident (some may have said arrogant - and would have been right) and outwardly successful recruiter.
What all this has taught me
Resilience
Plain and simple, you need it and until you’re tested you don’t develop it.
Keep things simple
Things are as complicated as we make them.
Don’t overthink things
Everyone is running their own gauntlet, they’re not out to screw you.
Work is the only solution
Everyone can find a million excuses not to do something. Forget the excuses as procrastinating won’t solve a thing. Take the first step and the second is a hell of a lot easier.
Closed mouths don’t get fed
Don’t expect your clients to call you because you served them well before. Maybe they aren’t calling as they assume you are too busy or the work they are offering is too junior. (This happened to me and a friend this year - Both 20+ year recruiters with our own consultancy business.)
Get better, every day
Invest in yourself. Don’t just assume that because you were good at something in 2015 that it will work in 2020.
LAST BUT ABOVE ALL - MATES MATTER
Both in your personal life and at work. It's good to talk about things. We are social animals and we need to talk and share our experiences. Obviously, for deeper issues, this may mean talking to a professional. But if you are failing to start a project, lose weight or start exercising again (all me!) an objective friend who calls you on your excuses is the best, at least this has been my experience.
A big thank you to everyone who has helped me in the past decade, especially my amazing wife.
If this is useful to just one person, great. If it makes them feel as good reading it as it has felt writing it, it's been a success.
I build personal brands for aspirational recruiters and leaders that drive commercial results.
4 年This is a fab article.? Why? Because it's so real. I'm going to share it. Good work Richard.
Relationship Builder & Enterprise Sales | Life & Career Coach for Mothers | Matrescence Activist & Sociologist
4 年Thanks for sharing Richard. This has given me lots to think about for the future and reflection on the past. Wishing you and your family a great Christmas!
I help people who think they can’t do maths.
4 年Well said! We are now entering our fourth decade of friendship, btw. It's good that we are both still learning.
?? Global, award winning Rec2Rec since 2004 ??, NON-award winning “Recruitment Journeys” podcast host ???, and Recruitment United community-building pest! ????
4 年Very good this, Richard Edmondson, very brave, very honest, very relevant to most, very thought provoking, very inspirational. Good work, Lad!
Human-centred innovation
4 年Lovely Richard ??