From A Late Bloomer To Other Late Bloomers

Ever since childhood, and throughout my life, I have been told that I was a late bloomer. People said that I could do better with my performance in whatever it was I was lacking. This can, of course, be rather disheartening, if not depressing. The “Sasha complaints” later continued to a variety of people across different teams, companies, and countries. I simply didn’t fit in.

I’ve had jobs where I was greatly unhappy. They felt too temporary. Being surrounded by uninspiring (and at times, damaging) colleagues can really do a number on your anxiety levels! I was seriously overthinking what would I do had I not made my first million before I turned 30!

I’m aware that might sound contrived today, but it was truly what I felt then. In my life, I’ve changed my career multiple times, from studying physics and math furiously in high school and dreaming of formulas at bedtime to getting my first paid job as a sixteen-year-old selling kids underwear at a retail store. There was a time when I was an entrepreneur working 16 hours a day (oh wait, that’s today too). In short, I had a plethora of experiences. I built several companies, from retail, to food and beverages, then to telecom services and equipment. I even gave myself a gap year to travel. In retrospect, to give myself that break wasn’t the best decision.

Then there was that time when I went full force on the creative side as a freelance filmmaker, picking up all kinds of gigs and working for free (basically just for food) on various film sets, doing everything possible, from camera and sound assistance to post-production sound design, from a make-up artist assistant to scriptwriting and editing. After that, I started my own production company and eventually crossed to the corporate research side for six long years.

When you’re in your twenties, it is very common to have a job that you dislike. It is perfectly fine to not feel very useful, and to be frustrated about pretty much everything and everybody surrounding you. Sound familiar? Those are the times you wake up in the morning and don’t want to go to work so badly that you seriously think of giving it up. And maybe you should. Just replace this job with a different one. But then, you realize after one month or so (or even sooner), that your new job is still bringing the same feelings. In my opinion, this is the time to learn to communicate your own ideas in a professional environment and to understand practicalities about your field of interest (or even better — in several fields). It is definitely not the time to freak out and call yourself a failure.

In your thirties, you probably already have a “preferred” industry in mind. For me personally, the next move was to surround myself with the right associates and collaborators. These are the people who share the same principles as me but come from different backgrounds. They have their own unique set of skills, expertise, and personality traits different from my own. I also looked for the kind of people who had great networks. That usually comes with age and work history.

If I were to give anyone a single piece of advice, it would be to spend time with these people - “your” people - as much as you can. Perhaps you could do this by making a contribution to someone else’s idea. You could be participating in a work-in-progress concept development or join a strong team which is about to really take off. With these people, you gain the right network and expertise in the domain you are about to focus on. Once you find your people, give it all you can. This segment here can be as stressful as it was when you were just starting out. I would say that for myself, now in my late thirties, I find distinct pleasure in being surrounded by people I like and respect while creating things I like for the people I like and whose needs I understand.

I’m fortunate to say that with Nanos, I’m finally in a good space where everything makes sense. My past experiences might appear as a cacophony of jobs and companies to those who didn’t know me well. Today, I am just like my client. I’m a small business owner and constantly racking my brain about where should I advertise. “Where can I connect with new customers?” I understand those restaurant owners who are also filling in for the dishwasher and busboy while people get sick and can’t show up at work.

I dare say that I have learned to communicate with almost anyone, from kings to beggars, during my year off and through a filming career. I was always easily inspired by visually appealing, creative concepts in a short form, especially in an advertisement. I will never underestimate the power of storytelling through what’s at first perceived as simple imagery. Today, thanks to all of those experiences, I finally understand the power of technology and its role — it is not to replace human beings, but to make peoples’ lives easier and better. How about you? Are you willing to go the distance to find your passion?

Do you have any questions about leadership? Contact me at Ask Sasha.