Having turned 40 this year, I have been very reflective on this topic, especially around all the aspects of my life that can impact me in my career. Here are some of the ones I have learned along the way.
Embarking on a career journey is an exciting and often challenging endeavor. Looking back, many professionals find themselves wishing they had known certain things when they were younger to navigate their careers more effectively. I know there are some things I wish I knew when I was just starting.
Some things are more commonly understood than others. For example, success in in any field is often the result of a combination of hard work, dedication, and the cultivation of positive habits. However, while career paths may vary, there are certain habits that are not so obvious to some that successful individuals tend to share.
Having turned 40 this year, I have been very reflective on this topic, especially around all the aspects of my life that can impact me in my career. Here are some of the ones I have learned along the way:
1. Learn Storytelling - Storytelling is the highest intangible ROI skill you can learn
Sales, hiring, marketing - it's all storytelling. Start with basic storytelling frameworks (e.g. the Hero's Journey) and the 7 fundamental emotions.
And watch how listeners turn into believers.
2. Rethink Health - Everything changed for me when I came across Symbiotic Success: Your health DIRECTLY affects achievement - even if you can't see it.
While I have always been an athlete and prioritized this aspect of my life, I never knew how much that impacted me professionally. Success is a game of longevity and health is your competitive moat.
3. Choose the Arena - When faced with a fork in the road, there are two paths:
1. One that puts you in the arena.
2. One that puts you on the sidelines.
Always choose to enter the arena. It's where positive optionality begs to be exploited.
4. Work Like a Lion - Society has conditioned us to work like we're cows grazing.
Long hours. Low focus. Minimal output… But instead you should work like a hunting lion.
Sprint. Rest. Repeat.
5. Find Your Peak Energy State - Optimal hours, environment, and work style differ for everyone.
Keep experimenting until you find your most productive state - when you don't have to fight yourself to get stuff done. Once you find it, energy flows where your focus will be.
6. Learn to Communicate Concisely - Most people's emails and messages are full of fluff.
'Hope you're well!'
'I just wanted to ask...'
'Could we circle back on...'
Stop. Be concise and get to the point - your value increases with the effort your readers save.
7. Be Happy for Other People's Successes - It's a positive-sum world out there - there are 22 million millionaires in the US alone. Recognize that one person's success isn't your failure and offer genuine congratulations.
Joy for others manifests future accolades for you.
8. Be Boring
A lot of success comes from just saying no to cheap dopamine. And instead, focusing on the mundane:
• Maximizing sleep
• Guarding time for workouts
• Not eating out in favor of your nutritious diet
Boring's the secret the successful don’t want you to know.
Hindsight is a powerful teacher, and reflecting on the lessons learned throughout a career can provide valuable insights. By understanding the significance of networking, embracing change, developing soft skills, balancing ambition with patience, and prioritizing work-life balance, professionals can enhance their career trajectories and build a foundation for lasting success.
While it's never too late to implement these lessons, sharing them with the younger generation can empower them to make more informed choices and navigate their careers with confidence.
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