Career Lessons Over a Decade

Ten years have flown by. I still remember the first day I walked into the Microsoft office in Singapore like it was yesterday. As I hit this milestone in my career, I would like to share ten career lessons I have learned over the years.

1. Have a North Star

I have always been a big believer in the power of vision boards. Our vision breathes life into our goals and the decisions we make trickle down from the vision we have for our lives. We may not be clear about the path that will lead us to where we want to get to, but we can be sure that success occurs when preparation meets opportunity.

2. Never Stop Learning

We live in an age where there is an abundance of information. There is always going to be room to learn, grow and improve. One of the best ways to invest in ourselves and our future is to develop a learning attitude and growth mindset.

There is also the power of collective knowledge. You are more likely to learn faster and be more efficient when you effectively leverage the resources and expertise within your organization and wider network.

The only skill that will be important in the 21st century is the skill of learning new skills. Everything else will become obsolete over time.” - Peter Drucker

3. Leave Your Comfort Zone

The moment we get too comfortable in our roles, we become stagnant. We need to find ways to raise our own bar and challenge ourselves every day. This could involve finding new ways to be more productive at work, shadowing a different team or taking on a stretch assignment to develop new skills and demonstrate your potential.?

4. Focus on Skills, Not a Role

The world is changing so rapidly. Some jobs no longer exist and many new roles have been created in several industries as a result of evolving demands. So the question now becomes: How do we plan for our career?

I used to fall into the trap of being fixated on a specific role. My approach has changed and I now reflect on my core skills and strengths, along with the skills I will need to acquire for my ultimate North Star. This has given me clarity with my career development plan.

5. Find Moments to Pause and Reflect

Self-reflection allows us to identify our strengths and improvement areas. Some of the questions we need to keep asking ourselves are:

●??????Am I on track to achieve my goals?

●??????What do I need to do more of?

●??????What do I need to do less of?

●??????Am I busy being busy or am I productive?

●??????Am I too comfortable?

It is also important to reflect on all the constructive feedback we have received so that we can incorporate it in our daily lives.

6. Compete With Yourself

We should aim to be better than the person we were yesterday. The trick is not to compete with others, as that would only lead to an endless and tiring process. Let’s face it—there will always be someone who is smarter, wealthier and more successful than you. When our focus shifts towards our own personal growth and development that falls under our field of control, we set ourselves on a path that is attainable, sustainable and more rewarding.

7. Celebrate Your Successes

Sometimes, we do not celebrate small wins because we feel like we cannot afford to slow down or think that only big, life-altering goals are worth celebrating.

By developing a positive mindset and highlighting small wins, we train our brains to focus on positive things, and will naturally find more things to celebrate over time.

“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” -Oprah Winfrey

8. Happiness Is a Journey

There will be days when we wonder about when we will reach our “destination”. Those moments can steal joy from us. Thoughts such as, “I will be happy when I get that job,” or “I will be happy when I get the pay raise or promotion that I am seeking” may cross our minds. The joy that follows these milestones typically wears off over time. We need to remind ourselves that happiness is a daily choice, and regardless of our situation, we can and should find things that bring us joy and make us feel grounded and grateful.

9. Pay it Forward

Throughout your career, there will come certain individuals who will open doors to new opportunities and teach you valuable lessons. Acknowledge that with gratitude. It is highly likely that you will also have an opportunity to pay it forward one day. It could be in the form of mentorship, time, career advice, or whatever skill or talent you can offer. Make those opportunities count.

10. Embrace Uncertainty

If there is one thing that the pandemic has taught all of us, it is that we can never be too sure about what is ahead of us. We need to accept that things may not go as planned. When that happens, it could be because something better awaits, or it could be a nudge to pivot our path in a new direction.

Let’s focus on making today count; assess the things that are in our control and continue to embrace uncertainty by staying adaptable in evolving times.

Final Words

Your career—as with your life—is a journey, not a destination. Be patient and respect where you are in your own journey. I will end with one of my favorite poems.

"Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive that is youer than you." - Dr. Seuss

Thanks for reading to the end. I wish you all the best in your career journey!?