10 Lessons to Take into the Rest of 2022
Originally published on 13 July 2022
As we have reached the middle of the year, I thought I would reflect on what I have learned so far on this journey. All of it culminates in a positive lesson 10 so read on.
1. Leave toxic cultures
The decision to leave a toxic work culture (twice!) in the space of a few months was the best decision I could have ever made for myself. If you are not valued, or the team around you is not valued by the organisation then get out. The longer you stay, the more damage it will do to your professional and personal self-esteem. I now know how to spot these cultures and in any future work I do, I will not make the same mistake I have made in the past. So, before you interview for that new position, find someone in the organisation (preferably the same division) and get a sense of the organisational culture. When you’re interviewing, ask the hiring manager how they have changed their ways of working since the pandemic and what they do to make their employees feel valued within the organisation. Don’t make the same mistake twice. No salary is worth your mental health or self-worth.
2. Make your voice heard
I spent too long not speaking up for myself when I knew better. I still catch myself doing it every now and then. As I mentioned in the post about having a seat at the table, it is of no value if you do not have a voice at that table. There is a time and place to be the notetaker and quiet observer, but it should never leave you feeling anything less than you are. Speak up in that meeting, share your ideas and thoughts, and do not let yourself be diminished.
3. Learn to articulate your value
You need to know your value before you can articulate it. Look at your strengths and what you enjoy doing. Write these down and keep adjusting them until you are truly satisfied that they reflect your value and who you aspire to be. Just because I happen to be good at managing executives doesn’t mean that I truly enjoy being an assistant. This was something that I had to work on letting go of this year as I kept applying for jobs as a Chief of Staff. They all seemed so appealing but just because I was good at that type of work, it didn’t mean that I should continue doing it.
To be honest, I am still struggling with this one as I encounter people from my past professional network. I have to remind myself constantly that I need to rearticulate my value to them. I am still working on exactly how to do that and how to define it as I move forward into the rest of 2022, but I am getting there.
4. Procrastination isn’t just time-wasting, it’s a comfort zone
We think of procrastination as putting off doing the dishes or replying to that one email that’s been in our inbox for a few days. However, sometimes it is about being too scared to move out of our comfort zone. I spent a wonderful two months procrastinating on my life. I kept making excuses in the same way one does to avoid doing the dishes. However, it was deeper than that. I was scared to move out of my comfort zone and pick a new path for my life. But no more. Read on for details.
5. Set yourself goals
Small goals, big goals, whatever they may be – set them. What started as a ‘Vision 2022’ in January has become a regular habit. At the end of each month, I sit down and set myself some small goals that I want to achieve for the coming month. I always split them into ‘Life’ and ‘Work’ columns so that I try to achieve some balance. Do I always reach my goals for the month? No. However, they give me a sense of direction for what I want to accomplish. If you like lists and post-it notes as I do, it feels so great when you can tick off the goals you have reached.
If you want to go really big on the goal-setting, then think of a goal for ten years from now and put it in your calendar. Try imagining that future and what you will be doing that day, why you got there, and then start taking steps to get there.
6. Develop your range
It is never too late to learn a new skill. You just need to get on and do it. I had always put off acquiring new skills because I thought I didn’t have the time and that it required some sort of formal learning structure and certificate to go with it. It turns out it just requires starting with an intention and getting going. I have learned so many new skills and gained so much knowledge over the past few months that I can now put into practice in a way that I did not expect.
7. Build your pack
You never go on your professional (or personal) journey alone. Building your ‘pack’ takes time and a bit of effort but once you have a solid pack of colleagues, mentors, a selected professional network, and friends, you can always count on them. I have called on members of my pack a few times this year already and going forward, I know they are going to be a vital part of the next steps in my journey.
And finally, some new lessons that I have learned recently but haven’t written about yet.
8. Rest is important
Even though I haven’t been working a 9-5 in the traditional sense for most of this year, I managed to give myself burnout. For the past few weeks, I have been mentally and physically exhausted. I insisted on being productive all the time this year. This is most definitely my Type A personality coming out, but I haven’t given myself a proper break at all this year – not even on the weekends. Modern technology does not help. Our wearables constantly nudge us to walk or reach our move/exercise goal for the day; our Google calendars can be set to remind us to clean the house or do some other task; our apps keep track of our progress and reward us for being on streaks. While this is designed to help us lead more productive, efficient, and healthier lives, these constant nudges can also lead us to never stop.
My goal is to give myself a ‘staycation’ once I hit my 200-day yoga and 155-day Duolingo streak in a few days (yes, I get the irony). The point is that outside of our professional lives, we need a break from our personal ‘nudges’ and to rest.
9. Learn when to say no
Recently I was approached by someone in my pack to explore a job opportunity that would have put me as a high-level assistant to a very impressive CEO which would involve traveling the world on a private jet. Six months ago, even three months ago, I probably wouldn’t have had the strength or foresight to say no to the opportunity. Now I know where my strengths are, what I want out of life, and that my Long Covid is a limitation. At this point in my life, another stint as a high-level assistant – no matter how impressive the executive – is not for me. I know my worth and to be traveling the world, organising someone’s diary and life whilst occasionally getting to write and research would have been great five years ago, it is no longer enough for me.
We are often afraid to say no to things because of disappointing others or because we feel like we must do something. Just because we are capable of doing something doesn’t mean we must do it. Or just because someone has asked us to, doesn’t mean we should. It isn’t necessarily part of your job description. Just say no.
Sure, the year of saying yes can bring you many wonderful opportunities, but the year of selectively saying no can free you up to do what you want to do.
10. It’s ok to change your mind
At the same time as this potential job opportunity was happening, I had just registered my new company The Generalist. Yes, that’s right, I have registered a company. You’re looking at a bootstrapping solopreneur. The backup plan is now The Plan. I am putting all the lessons I have learned from this year – and skills and knowledge from my career – into action and turning it into a business. Still not sure where the handstands will come into play but maybe at future company retreats?
It’s ok to change your mind and path. When I started this blog, I was quitting the consultancy route and looking for a full-time job overseas. Instead, I have realised that I want to be a professional generalist (at least for the next while) and be my own boss again. I have not backtracked or failed on the goals I set myself this year, they have just evolved. Now a new journey and fresh goals begin.
Alex the Generalist
