30 Things I’ve Learned So Far…

1. Focus on YOUR goals. Try not to let your current environment distract you.

A lot of people will start their career and have tunnel vision. You only see a career trajectory in your current industry, or you admire one person so much you want to be just like them. You have to find what works for you though. Always remember, there are hundreds of companies in the world. You are just at a small slice. It is better to focus on your goals than to let your environment shape your goals. It took me getting a master’s to learn what it was I wanted.

2. Stick to your guns -- you are a smart person and don’t be professionally peer pressured.

At some point you may or may not have heard a joke said by a higher up, that made you feel uncomfortable, but noticed other people laughing. I have been called out for not laughing and being told I was “so professional” in a mocking manner. That is because I have also laughed at things, I didn’t think were funny, and put up with “good ole boys” who still felt women belonged in a certain place.

3. Admire your Execs, mentors, and leaders, but please don’t idolize them.

Believe it or not, CEO’s are humans too, and they are not always perfect. One of the best things I have learned by working at smaller companies is that you have a lot more opportunities for one-on-ones with the CEO. Take the advice that feels right from them and of course always take time to learn. But don’t feel the need to agree with everything they do. In fact, most higher ups like it when there is some push back in a respectable manner.

4. Have a routine

You don’t have to wake up at the crack of dawn and follow the saying, “Be there before the boss, and don’t leave until they do.” I’m not saying this doesn’t work if you are being productive, but if you are waking up at 5am to be at work by 7am, but don’t mentally wake up till 10am, then who are you really helping? I am actually a morning person and have maintained a consistent routine of, at minimum, waking up and doing a devotional. Some days I make it to the gym, walk my dog or try to do some activity. But for the most part, I always rise with God, at minimum.

5. There is nothing new under the sun –

“What has been will be again, / what has been done will be done again; / there is nothing new under the sun.” As a modern idiom, “there’s nothing new under the sun” is often used as a world-weary complaint against life’s monotony. When Solomon wrote the statement, he was emphasizing the cyclic nature of human life on earth and the emptiness of living only for the “rat race.”

Sound familiar? That’s because it is a popular bible verse. Solomon talks about how life is meaningless and there is nothing new under the sun in Ecclesiastes. To some this may be a very dark way to look at things. However, I have seen people be complacent at a job and not seek new opportunities because of the monotony they are stuck in. Just a reminder that there is no singular, brilliant company to work for. Google is great, Amazon too, but so are startups. Don’t get me wrong, landing a job at a Top 4 Accounting firm is a great accomplishment, but you are at 1 of 4 top firms, and there will always be better. Don’t confine yourself because you’re comfortable or let fear hold you back.

6. Don’t ever take a job just for money and don’t ever stay at a job just for money

You are lying when you say money does not matter. Money matters to all of us because last I checked even trust fund babies had bills to pay. But the paycheck won’t mean much if you are in a toxic environment.

7. Please don’t live above your means.

I just hate to see when people are tied down to a position because of money. One of my favorite questions to ask people is, “What is your dream job?” One of the saddest responses I hate to get is, “Oh I would’ve loved to start my own business, but I have this lifestyle.” If 2020 has taught us anything, it is that jobs are not guaranteed and being over financed and in debt with credit cards is stressful. This is also me speaking from experience. I was saving money to buy a nice car, when my husband convinced me to pay down credit card debt instead. Here we are in a pandemic on one income and I am sure glad my credit card payment is down, and I’m not stuck with a new car loan.

8. “I’ll sleep when I’m Dead”

I’ve heard this phrase used frequently among my millennial crowd. Yes, you do have a project here and there you may need to finish. But please get some sleep. Many say, “I’ll sleep when I’m dead”, I say you’ll be dead if you don’t sleep. This is a very biased point, I will admit.

9. Be an advocate for someone.

2020 came with many social issues brought to light. I have been in a position where I was asked, “Are you ready to get deported?” out loud, in front of people at a previous job and no one said anything. I will never let that happen to anyone else though. You don’t have to be an advocate for major social justice issues. Did someone do you a favor and take care of a task for you? Did you notice some hard work get completed? How hard is it to say thank you and mention it to a higher up in a one-on-one that you think someone else did a good job? It’s actually not hard at all. Do unto others what you would like done to yourself. How I got into sales was because someone advocated for me.

10. Give people the benefit of the doubt

Everyone has bad days. Maybe you caught someone at a bad time when you received unpleasant behavior. Shake it off. Use your discretion and maybe, just maybe they are going through something you know nothing about.

11. You will make mistakes. Don’t harp on the mistakes, focus on fixing them and learning from them

It’s hard being called out, it’s hard when you feel like you have completely failed. However, time is of the essence. Use your time to reflect and focus on learning from it. Your biggest mistake would be to not learn anything at all.

12. Be generous, but not with your time

Time is our most precious commodity. You are allowed to be selfish with it. If people don’t make time for you, don’t spend your energy there.

13. If you’re not friends with everyone, it’s okay.

FOMO stems from unhappiness. Be your own person, and make your own fun, success or whatever it is. We have enough followers in this world.

14. If it takes more than 3 emails, pick up the phone

A mentor once told me he hated getting into Facebook arguments and avoided it all together. His rule is, if it takes more than 3 emails, pick up the phone and call someone. So much is misconstrued in messages.

15. Don’t wait to apologize if you know you are wrong

It can be embarrassing if/when you realize you are wrong. But it takes a strong person to admit they were wrong.

16. Mental illness is real – you don’t always see a sickness

This is why it’s important to stay kind. You never know what someone is going through.

17. You are not guaranteed tomorrow, and neither is the person sitting next to you – end the day with kindness

I’ve lost someone close in the workplace unexpectedly. For those who have experienced this, it will realign your priorities and suddenly the 9 to 5 won’t seem as important.

18. My job is not my provider

It provides my mean of living, but it does not feed my soul.

19. A title does not qualify you

I say this to encourage those who may feel complacent in their role and are looking to the next promotion or career move. You can be what you envision now. Being a manager does not give you some rite of passage to be a leader, you can do that now.

20. Don’t limit your thinking

This kind of goes in hand with number 19 on your role. If you come across a business trying to solve a problem, don’t think because you don’t sell said solution you can’t find one.

21. Your circle of influence should be greater than your responsibility

One of the worst things I’ve heard someone say is “That’s not my job”. If you are limiting yourself to your department, then you are limiting your influence. The more you’re willing to help, the more influence you have.

22. Companies who care too much about industry experience are limiting their growth

I get that experience in industry is important. However, if you have a group of people who all come from the same walk of life and experience, how will you hear new ideas?

23. “Oh, that’s a good idea!”

It only stops as an idea unless you’re willing to put some work behind it.

24. If you spend time with fearful people, you will adopt their fear

“Look at the people you spend time with and what they are concerned with is what you will become concerned with”. I have no credit to take here. Here is a link to Andy Stanley’s video on “fearless” in which he shares a story about a friend who has ALS and his advice to living life for others, which in turn, will make you fear less. Andy Stanley Video

25. Tell ‘em, stop worrying…the sooner they accept what can’t be changed, the easier it becomes.

Again, another excerpt from the video link above. Check it out.

26. When you find yourself in a place of adversity, serve.

At a Baylor Alumni event, Coach Steve Rodriguez of the Baylor Baseball team spoke on how he guides his team during times of difficulty. He said when they are facing a difficult situation, they serve. It will humble you and realign your perspective.

27. Don’t put off catching up with someone

If you someone crosses your mind and you think of a fun memory, reach out to them. Your high school/college friends are doing things with their lives, and even if they aren’t, maybe you can help them. Life is too delicate to be so focused on your 9 to 5 that you don’t make time for relationships. After all, business is built in relationships.

28. Don’t forget where you came from

The most unfortunate thing I have observed when people attain success, is acting like they are better than others or above doing something.

29. You didn’t get where you are today alone

Somewhere along in your journey, someone helped you out. Someone advocated for you, someone showed you kindness, someone was a mentor. Never forget that.

30. Finally, don’t take yourself too seriously

This life is meant to be enjoyed. Do that.