Sital's Blog

Having recently re-looked at Richard Branson’s book “Screw It, Let’s Do It – Lessons In Life,” I have adapted the 9 ‘life lessons’ in the book into the 9 career lessons below:

1. Just Do It
If you have a goal or ambition that you really want to pursue – then just do it. You can tell it’s something that is intrinsically driving you when you keep thinking about it and talking about it.

So set goals for yourself – no matter how big or small. Develop a simple plan (DON’T over-plan), take action consistently and have the faith and belief in your ability to achieve it along with a healthy amount of realism.

Don’t expect results overnight so be persistent.

2. Have Fun
Stay positive and have an upbeat outlook on life.

Do work you enjoy and work with people you enjoy being around. Sounds a little idealistic I know, but positive and fun people are good to work with and good to have on new projects. Fun people get noticed and remembered.

If you get to the stage where you have spent far too many days not enjoying yourself – then it’s time to: a) change your mindset and how you view things or: b) change your job.

3. Be Bold
If you want to do something – go for it. You don’t want to have regrets.

Bold does not mean reckless – it means going for what you want whilst taking measured risks.

Don’t do a pros and cons list (it will just paralyse you into indecision or stop you being bold) – instead weigh up the risks and rewards objectively and then use your intuition to make the final call.

4. Challenge Yourself
Apply for jobs which are out of your league, network with people more senior than you, mix in circles you don’t normally mix in, reconnect with people you have lost contact with. Go learn some new skills and don’t worry too much about what your friends and colleagues think about it.

As human beings we are naturally wired for growth. Being static is a sure way to lethargy, frustration, depression and regret. Whereas challenging yourself and growing helps improve your confidence, makes you a more valuable employee and, for that matter, a more valuable member of the human race.

5. Stand On Your Own Feet
Yes, challenge yourself but expect to pick yourself up when things go wrong.

Take personal responsibility for your career and don’t expect a recruiter, headhunter, your boss or HR to take it out of your hands for you.

They are just different pieces of the jigsaw that you’re part of.

6. Live In The Moment
Up to now, I have always been someone who lived in the future. Future goals, future plans. Other people I know live in the past – either because they’ve got regrets or because they remember the good old days.

Slowly, I am realising that the best place to be focused is now. Yes, you need to learn lessons from the past and have something to aim for.

But don’t let that distract you from what is happening now. No matter how bad the market is, how bad your job is or how bad your job searching is going – if you stay focused on the now, there is always something of value for you to appreciate and enjoy.

7. Put Family And Friends First
If you were to get seriously ill tomorrow or even lose your job then it’s your family and friends who will get you through it – not your clients, not your employers and not your team. So start putting your family and friends before everything else.

It’s easy to let the job take over your life – I’ve been there and so have you. But when it happens – have the awareness to realise it so that you can get back on track.

8. Have Respect
This is a lesson I’ve learned from my father. He doesn’t engage in gossip and always treats everyone with respect, regardless of who they are.

Having respect for everyone and not just people you want to impress is the path to long-term career success. In the hyper-connected world we live in, it is very easy to find out about someone’s character and reputation very quickly.

Sounds fluffy I know, but be nice, have respect and don’t damage your reputation.

9. Do Some Good
In recent years I have come to realise that success is not measured by how much you can accumulate, but how much you can contribute.

Helping a client out with a problem, mentoring junior colleagues and getting involved in community projects that your business supports are all activities which enrich people around you.

But they also help you build character, develop new skills and widen your network, whilst at a personal level giving you a greater sense of satisfaction from your working life.

Reading articles like this often sets off all sorts of ideas in our heads. You get inspired and pumped up about an idea in the moment – but then you have to deal with an overflowing email box or go to a meeting and the enthusiasm vanishes.

So to avoid this, make a commitment now to take just ONE action that comes to mind having read this article. If you think of several actions, then select the one that would have the biggest impact on your career in the next 6 months.

The last paragraph of the book reads “Whatever we want to be, whatever we want to do, we can do it. Go ahead, take that first step – just do it.”

What’s are your first step…?