Welcome back to weekend coffee chats, presenting the Young Professional series where we discuss techniques, processes, and overall topics to improve our work.
This week we’re discussing advice we get as youngsters starting out, and the ones we don’t.
In this first part I’m going to focus on advice I’ve received directly from people and whether they were helpful or not. For next week’s post we’ll be diving through the other forms such as books, podcasts, blogs, and even twitter which are so valuable so make sure to check in next week as well.
Now as much as we want to learn, sometimes we overlook advice as random or “small talk to ease our worry and stress”, this is probably fueled by some not so great examples such as “ask questions”, “ask for help”, “network” and the list goes on. I mean the intention is good but it’s mostly stuff everyone knows by now. It’s still better though than the no advice received which happens, so in that case reach out to friends or old colleagues for advice as you’d still need it.
I received some of these the first week I started in corporate, as I’d ask whenever meeting someone new “what advice do you give someone in my role / program?” or some variety of that like “what do you wish you knew when you were this early in your career?” Below are some of these answers and advice that I found helpful.
“You will have some good days, and some bad days”. This sounds so trivial when you first hear it, but I remember months after when I’ve hit a wall on a task or been drowning in an issue or a file and thinking that these issues are never going to end. I don’t know why but remembering that “this is probably one of those bad days mentioned” helped. It could be since it acts as a reminder that this is (Whatever is frustrating you) is not normal and it should pass.
“You need to choose something to do for yourself whether it’s sports, meditation, or anything else, as otherwise your life will become hectic with all the work and you won’t know where work stops and your life starts.” Boy do I wish I took this advice more seriously when I heard it, at the time i thought reading would be enough as I enjoy it, but boy did I have no idea what a Jewel that advice has been. Fast forward 2 year since then, now that’s my number one priority. This relies heavily on your industry and role, but if you face a lot of stress in your work, then you definitely need this. As just reading or checking social media after a long day’s work doesn’t help deflate the stress of the day, at least for me. I still struggle with finding something that I’d enjoy doing every single week day as I’d either get bored or tired but for now I switch it up every few days between walking, jogging, learning to play the piano, Yoga, or simply watching the sunset on my balcony while having a cup of tea.
“Have weekly or monthly catch-ups with your manager /supervisor, and prepare your questions/ challenges to discuss with them. Also, make sure to clarify when you’re feeling overwhelmed or having a lot of deadlines at the same time, and what can be done to support you in reducing that pressure?” This is a game changer in terms of getting support and direction on what you’re doing a good job on and what you need to improve and how. Never wait for your quarter or yearly meetings with your manager for feedback. A full post coming soon on that as it’s quite important.
“Find time to eat, and preferably don’t eat at your desk.” This may sound crazy to even need to be said, but there are a lot of roles and busy days were you either forget to eat or don’t have time to. Your health should always be a priority, and even if you think it won’t affect you, in the long run it actually will. You can take 15-20 mins to quickly eat and have a chat with someone and recharge. In case you absolutely have no time, then ask kindly to bring your food to the call or meeting, most times it’s ok but make sure you consider whether your company culture is ok with it (basically are others doing it as well or its seen as rude?). Now at first I thought this is ridiculous that I’d miss lunch or even delay it, I mean who can’t find 20 mins right? Boy was I wrong! Also, I was naive thinking that staying without food and tons of cups of coffee in my bloodstream would be enough to give me energy. I’d end up going home exhausted, starving, and with no energy to do anything. Definitely this is an advice worth listening to. Now in terms of eating at your desk, honestly that one I’m not super strict about as again some days are busier than others, but it’s quite nice to connect with people from different departments or even catch up with your colleagues or friends and have a breather. Which is not going to happen while you’re sitting and constantly working at your desk, and even eating there.
“How do you feel confident? Or How can I feel more confident in my role? Well, confidence comes from experience and having a lot of knowledge about that certain topic.” This was eye opening, as it gave me a direction and a practical thing to work on so I can feel more confident in my role. It was also a breath of fresh air and gave me hope that it’s not just about the usual answers “oh I’m just a confident person, or it depends on your personality”. Even though it sounds counterproductive cause as a young professional you don’t have a ton of experience in the first place, it gives you a road map. So now whenever I’m starting a new role, project, or even department I tackle first whom can I ask for information on this and where can I find more details? Then whenever a new topic is introduced, I ask questions to better understand it, take notes, and keep building up on this. In just a few months, this would help you move from “I’m not sure let me check with Person A” to “Based on previous conversations and emails, option B seems like a better fit”
I think it’s important to note this last advice was from a high level manager, whom took the time and answered a young new joiner with empathy and knowledge which I’m quite grateful for as I know not a lot of people have a similar response. I had a university professor, whom used to call us every class instead of students “young leaders of tomorrow”, as he believed we will be the next managers, CEOs, Politicians, educators, and much more. At the time as a 19 year old I couldn’t see it. I thought he was being hopeful or maybe optimistic. Yet, I think I’m starting to see what he meant, and the experience with this manager made me think that we all have a choice and a responsibility to be kind and informative for generations that will succeed us.
Advice doesn’t cost anyone much, not money or great length of time, yet empathy to listen and understand the question and to answer it with one’s experience and knowledge. Still many of us struggle to find it with how busy everyone is, and how unique situations and roles are these days. So let’s share what we can, and help pay it forward.
Let me know what you think in the comments, and drop an advice you’d found helpful down below, we’re all a community here trying to help each other improve.
Till Next time 🙂 !
Disclaimer: None of this information is to be used as advice, it’s just for entertainment. All information used is publicly available.
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