6 Things Diana Says About Reaching Goals That You Should Read

VEON Careers
Jul 25, 2017 · 6 min read

Ever driven in another country?

Diana, an R2R senior analyst with VEON in Lviv, Ukraine, is from Georgia. For her, driving in Lviv is an entirely new experience.

“I’m taking courses. I must overcome my apprehensions about driving here and just do it!” exclaims Diana.

Now, that’s how you achieve goals. During our talk with Diana, we get more great insights on reaching goals.

1. Be the fire that wishes for the wind

Think about what led you to this article. You probably stopped by to learn something. That’s a good thing — because continuous learning has become an economic imperative.

When Diana’s not working, she’s increasing her knowledge and skills. That’s why you’ll find her reading books written by Nassim Nicholas Taleb, a former Wall Street trader and essayist. Taleb’s works focus on problems of randomness and probability.

“My favorite books by Taleb are The Black Swan and Antifragile. I actually did a project with The Black Swan while studying economics at Cherkasy State University. Using Taleb’s book, we showed how an economy can prosper even when unexpected events arrive,” tells Diana.

Bad unexpected events can be called black swans, a term Taleb popularized. In The Black Swan, Taleb advocates the need to create institutions that don’t just withstand negative surprises (i.e. black swans), but even thrive when they encounter them.

Wait! Is Taleb saying that even negative surprises can be beneficial? Yes, he is — as long as we’re ready.

To be prepared to thrive when the unexpected comes, learn continually — and stay on your toes. As Taleb says, “you want to be the fire and wish for the wind.”

2. Right place + Right time + Right skills = Opportunity

w did you end up at your current job? Diana has a cool story about arriving at VEON.

Meet Diana

“VEON chose me! They needed someone at the Lviv office that had a finance background and could speak Georgian. When VEON offered me the job, I took it. I’m interested in the exciting direction VEON is taking,” describes Diana.

Finding a good opportunity is about being in the right place at the right time. For VEON, Diana had the perfect combination of skills, making her a great fit.

“As a Georgian working here, I like to say I’m bringing to Georgia to Lviv. I help manage financial reporting for Beeline, VEON’s brand in Georgia. We’re interacting with the team there and I’m helping bring Georgia to the office,” says Diana.

So, look at the equation above again. If you have those three things, you’ll be able to bring something unique to the table, like Diana does for VEON. And opportunities will find you.

Diana and the team

3. Be a communication wizard

The bad news is that you’re probably not actually a wizard (if you are, then kudos to you). The good news is that you can be a wizard at communication.

Diana stresses that, in R2R (record to report), communication is vital because financial information must be collected in a timely and accurate manner. That’s why she’s focused on not only establishing transparency, but also a consistent mode of communication.

“Some days I feel like I’m back home in Georgia. We always know exactly what’s going on with the team there and we’re able to address any problems right away,” states Diana.

In short, good communication is a shortcut to solutions. It’s as vital as ever — even in a world where machines can talk to one another.

4. Don’t let technology run away

Boom!

Your smartphone alarm sounds. You see an email from your boss. It’s time to work. But you want to go back to sleep.

Don’t worry — your phone has music to get you pumped. After all, it’s time to work.

“Technology enables us to work more efficiently and stay informed. It feels natural for me, as a millennial. But I do turn off the devices to relax sometimes. Still, I’m constantly staying updated on what’s new,” attests Diana.

Beyond staying updated on tech, Diana notes that it’s important to examine which types of tech trends will stick. For that, it’s crucial to look at the emotional impact of technology.

For instance, many folks thought vinyl would fade away when music streaming services hit the market. Yet vinyl sales are projected to be around $1 billion for 2017 — and have been experiencing double-digit growth since 2010. That’s because vinyl is tangible and it powerfully connects the listener to the music. It offers a nostalgic listening journey that Alexa and Spotify can’t.

To know what technologies are worth your time, take Diana’s advice. Look for those that make life more convenient and efficient, as well as those that make a strong emotional connection with users.

5. Keep it real — the cake is coming

Have you thought about dessert before finishing dinner? Sure you have. But it’s always better if you wait.

As Diana stresses, set realistic expectations and slowly work towards your bigger goals. With persistence and patience, you’ll get there. And you’ll get to eat that cake.

6. Get out and explore

Let’s return to driving in another country. For Diana, it’s all a part of making the most of her dream of living in another country.

That’s awesome. It shows that just going for what you want is the first step to achieving your goals.

“I’m enjoying my free time here! I love Stryisky Park. It’s beautiful. And I love eating varenyky, which has become my favorite Ukrainian dish,” says Diana.

There you have it. Wherever you go and whatever you do, make that experience your own, as Diana suggests.

It’s time to drive forward

To achieve your goals, take the wheel. Follow Diana’s advice and enjoy the road. You’ll find the right direction and your dream destination will come into view.

VEON Careers

Written by

At VEON, we know much of the world counts on us (10% and growing). We know that sitting down and being complacent with the status quo just isn’t an option.

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