Musings of a Recovering American Worker…11 Lessons I learned in my career
Posted on October 26, 2015 by Barry Baskin, One of Thousands of Leadership Coaches on Noomii.
Thoughts on careers and career development.
Musings of a Recovering American Worker…11 Lessons I learned in my career
I turned 63 a few days ago and I can hardly believe how great my life is. Nope, I didn’t retire with a ton of money. I’m still working, but I am having the time of my life after discovering what I’m here to be. I’ve had a number of very different careers and like many that are reading this, chose a path that led to a place where I wasn’t meant to go. I admit that I was addicted. Addicted to the pursuit of more stuff, a better job, more money.
Some people are fortunate enough to discover early in their lives what’s important to them and find a career that closely matches their values, purpose and vision. I suspect (tell me if I’m wrong) that there are more like me than the other.
Here are 11 lessons that I’ve learned that I’d like to pass on
1. You can change your career field or occupation any time you want to
You’re in charge of your life. Just because you’ve invested money in an education or time with a company doesn’t mean that you can’t change direction. Understand that you grow as a person and might want to follow a path totally different from where you are right now.
2. When a company posts a job opening they really, really need to fill that job
That someone is as easily you as the next person. Don’t apply for a job from a position of a beggar, apply and interview from a position of strength. Don’t be afraid to interview them to make sure that they will be a good fit for you. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you’re worth.
3. Take time to find out your strengths and how to articulate them to anyone who is interested (Be a genuine self-promoter with definite self-interest)
Take a strengths assessment. There are many out there, one of my favorites is included in the purchase price of “Strengths 2.0 by Marcus Buckingham”
4. Don’t try to be anyone other than yourself
I’ve heard some thoughts that women should try to be more like men to be successful. While I agree that becoming more assertive and confident is a desirable trait I don’t believe that a woman should act like a man to get ahead.
5. Change is inevitable…especially in the workplace
Bosses come and go, mergers, and fluctuations in the economy. You may be the one initiating the career change or it might be the company. There aren’t many people that stay with one company until or if they retire. The average worker in the United States changes jobs every 5-7 years.
6. Find a career and company that shares your values
You may not realize it, but your engagement with a career or employer is impacted negatively if it’s not in line with your personal values. You might suck it up over a time but YOU WILL be that person who hates going to work. Don’t let that be you!
7. Have a social conscience
You’ll find that by giving of yourself not only helps others but helps your outlook as well.
8. Become an Intentional Listenertm
The greatest gift that you can give to another is the gift of listening and understanding. Learning to listen to co-workers, managers and others in your organization tells them a lot about who you are as an employee and as a person.
9. Be Curious…of other viewpoints
Our experiences give us a very narrow band of understanding. Often we take what we know as being the right and only way. There are many opinions on every subject, open your mind to different possibilities.
10. Don’t take the first job offered
A good employer respects someone who knows that they can provide value to their company and will respect the fact that you are interviewing with others. Taking time signals you value yourself.
11. Be a Dreamer…Live your own Unique Life
It’s necessary to grow up but you don’t have to give up. Dream big!
