My advice to the Next Generation
10 pieces of advice: Take it or leave it
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Friends,
A little diversion this week. Digital First Magazine interviewed me. If you want to read the full interview, you can find the link here. One of the questions was about advice I would give. The way that I looked at this was this: I wondered if I was entering this AI era earlier in my career, and what I would want to know. The themes remain the same. I thought hard about whether I needed to think about technology (and AI) or not - and plumped for the latter. Digital is more a mindset. What you need to think about is who you are and who you want to be.
Below is my unedited version of the answer.
What piece(s) of advice would you give to aspiring professionals across the globe?
Follow your Passion – I honestly think this is critically important. Your job is a big chunk of the time you spend in this world. So, follow your heart and intuition because you’ll already know what truly matters to you alone. The only way to do great work is to love what you do. At the beginning of my career, I didn’t—but now I have a purpose. My purpose will be different to yours—so figure out what drives you.
Embrace Failure – I’d really encourage a growth mindset revolving around being free to fail. If you don’t try new things knowing you have a safety blanket, you’ll be limited in your personal and professional growth. There are real benefits to embracing the learnings from failure; it can lead to being more creative and thinking out of the box. Once I accepted that it’s OK not to succeed all the time, I became more successful. It sounds counterintuitive, but it’s so powerful. And while you’re at it - be adaptable to the stage and environment you’re in. You need to be the chameleon and take charge to be proactive in enacting change rather than waiting for others to solve problems.
Look after Yourself - The older I get, the more I emphasise the importance of work-life balance. Life is tough if you are burning the midnight oil - don’t neglect your personal life and well-being in the pursuit of professional success. Taking breaks and nurturing relationships are vital for long-term happiness and productivity
Give Back & Make a Difference – If you’re really looking at different options in your career and how to maximise it, you’re one of the lucky ones in the world. You have options. I’d urge people to give back in any way possible through helping to solve big problems, volunteering time, mentoring to help others. It’s incredibly rewarding to do this work, especially when you see your work making a difference.
Be Curious – One of the important things in this faster-moving world is to not be left behind. Have interests outside of your core area. Be curious, be inquisitive—and ask the dumb questions. By learning more and doing the things you think you couldn’t do, you stretch yourself and your capabilities. The transition from school to the workforce doesn't mark the end of education.
Learn to Network: As an introvert, I have always struggled to speak with new people, but once you realise that there is no cool club and everyone is figuring it out, it’s all good. The plan is to have a plan on what you want to say, what you’re trying to learn, and who (or what type of person) you’re trying to meet. I can’t overemphasise the importance of building and maintaining relationships. Networking isn't just about career advancement but also about forming meaningful connections that can support and inspire you throughout life.
Explore and Experiment: I don’t think I’d be who I am today without going to live and study overseas. Trying new things and being open to new experiences can lead to personal and professional growth. Be open to travel, explore different cultures, and look for new opportunities and challenges.
Maintain a Positive Attitude: No one likes a Debbie Downer. So, don’t be Debbie. Maintaining a positive outlook and bringing positive energy and good vibes to work helps improve the environment and relationships. Be constructive and people will love having you on the team. Everyone loves someone with a can-do attitude.
Be Patient: Success doesn't come overnight, and resilience is key. It’s tough dealing with knockbacks but you need to be patient and persistent, especially when facing setbacks. Remember, it’s not the end of the world to not win! Aim to learn from every experience, whether good or bad. And believe you me, there will be some bad stuff. Just be ready for it
Be Nice – There’s no excuse for unkindness in this world. So, be good, be nice, smile at people you don’t know, help a stranger—and don’t forget to be amazing!
Let me know if you agree - and if you read the full interview, tell me if you have read my favourite all-time book.
Stay Curious - and (I’ll say it one more time -) don’t forget to be amazing,
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I think it would be a good thing to develop some skills outside of me e-world also.