How little I knew

TEN (one oh, count them) years ago today (ish) I started my first full-time 'proper' job. I packed everything up and moved my life to Southampton for a job as 'New Platforms Producer' at GCap Media. Both the job and the company I worked for no longer exist. It's a tad adorable to look back at that job title - 'New Platforms'. I suppose they were. I digress. Here's what I've learnt along the way. I wish I knew all of these things a lot earlier. You may also find it of interest. I make no promises.

Take it less personally

Outwardly, we all like to pretend we have the thickest of skins. Nothing bothers us. You may say you don't care about a comment you heard that was made about or towards you, but most of us really do. The art of caring less is a skill that gets better with time. The anxious amongst us will feel as if they care more, perhaps by default, but what we all gradually acquire is the capability to pick our battles and let go of things that would have once driven us to distraction. Knowing when and when not to mentally participate is half the battle.

Not everyone will be like you

Oh man. This is a big one. Not everyone will be like you. I mean, how rude. This still bothers me to this day if I'm being honest. How dare all your colleagues NOT share your exact work style, approach and cutting sense of humour? It is, frankly, an outrage. Jokes aside, this is an acceptance gig and something you'll either quickly get used to or quickly beat yourself up over. Far easier to do the former. As in life, in work, you'll come across a plethora (love that word - although it goes against my mantra of written words that wouldn't also comfortably be used in conversation) of characters; some you'll gel instantly with, and some you feel you may never get along with. Accept your differences with others sooner and it'll make it better for you in the long run.

Embrace change

I hate carrying it but the world is full of it. We must embrace change and be ready for it at any given moment. You've heard it a billion times, but how many of us truly, I mean, really grab hold of change and love it daily, nightly and ever so rightly? The evil part of change is that we don't understand we are actually okay with it until we've been through it a few times. And there are times we'll have been through change, and not truly appreciated what we have dealt with. We're often guilty of living in our personal bubble, but with change comes opportunity and this can often be a blessing in disguise.

Know your worth

The less experienced we are, the more willing we are to do more and more (and more), without truly realising our worth in comparison to others. I'm not suggesting you walk into your place of work tomorrow and demand to be CEO, (though that would no doubt yield some hilarious results, do DM me), but we must, with time, arrive at the understanding, that there is only one 'us' and we need to look out for ourselves. Do not be afraid to have that conversation about salary*. Do not be afraid to have that conversation about promotion. Easier said than done, but these are the things that you will later thank yourself for.

Be more fearless

I would suggest the number one enemy in my life has been doubt. I could have achieved so much more so much earlier had I spent less time listening to it. With this in mind, I am also aware of what I have achieved when I have been able to block it out. There have been times I have told myself I cannot do something, from a minor task to applying for a different job, and despite my subconscious being aware this was complete nonsense, I have allowed doubt to run my life and get in the way. Experience is an excellent teacher and will help you conquer doubt and drown out this unnecessary noise. I would suggest, in general, if you are afraid, perhaps of making a move from one type of work environment to another: don't be. You'll make it out the other side.

Oh, and above all else, whatever you do, 'say it with your chest''.

*If you get fired as a result of this post, I accept no responsibility.