As we grow, we learn countless valuable life lessons. These are the kind of lessons that will strengthen our character and help shape our path to success.
Some things we have to figure out on our own, but could we share some tips to make the journey easier from the very first day of our careers?
I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and working with some fabulous women from the early steps of my profession, and I made sure to adopt some of the learnings and suggestions they shared with me.
So, ladies, here I share them with you so that if they serve you well, you can apply them to your own career and benefit from their knowledge, experience, and lessons learned.
1. COMMUNICATION.
The ability to communicate is an important factor for success in life and in all professions. Discover your own way of presenting complex ideas and arguments, and don’t fear negative feedback.
2. MAKING MISTAKES SHOULD NOT GENERATE FEAR.
This is very important. It’s necessary to attempt challenging projects and not hold back for fear of mistakes. Keep in mind that people are thinking about themselves and how things make them look. If you make a mistake that you think might be embarrassing, the people around you probably won’t even notice it.
3.IT’S OKAY WHEN THE PLAN DOESN’T WORK.
Following your instincts is a virtue we should not lose. We may not follow the “most accepted” path. Remember to have fun as much as possible, choose companies, positions, bosses, and colleagues that give you the most positive energy.
4. TAKE CONTROL. DON’T WAIT FOR ANYONE TO GIVE YOU PERMISSION FOR THINGS YOU CAN CONTROL.
If you wait until you feel you meet all the criteria, wait for the perfect role, wait for the right time to become independent, you’ll be waiting forever. Just do it. On a similar note, you don’t have to be 100% ready for anything to try it. If you want to start a side project, just do it.
“Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good.”
5. BUT IF YOU CAN’T CONTROL IT, ASK FOR WHAT YOU NEED BECAUSE IT’S MUCH MORE LIKELY TO GET IT.
This applies to most things in life, but especially at work. If you want more money, a better title, more benefits, etc., don’t be afraid to ask for it when negotiating. If you’re already offered a Senior position, they won’t take it back because you asked to be titled as a Senior. Once you’re in a position, if there’s something different you want to do at work, speak up! This also extends to asking for help. When you’ve built a strong and genuine network, don’t be afraid to tap into it when you need it.
So, here’s a question for you: What advice would you give to other women who are just starting their careers or are well into them?
