The Career Advice I Wish My Younger Self Had
The valuable reflections and empowering questions I would share with others
With every moment in my life, there are hidden messages and meaning with everything that I have experienced. Through reflecting and reminiscing, I am able to learn and grow from my experiences which gives me valuable lessons for the future. These lessons might not have been apparent at the time when the moment occurred, and it’s only at a time of reflection that the real value of those moments can truly shine.
When I ponder about my career so far, there are mixed emotions. I feel gratitude for where I am today and the people I met along the way. There is some regret on not taking action sooner and wasting time. A lot of memories which brings joy and laughter. Some moments I rather forget.
If I had a chance to give my younger self career advice, here are the three lessons I would say –
1. Are those limiting beliefs and fears real?
I always had a “corporate identity” in my mind; I worked in IT and interacted with every department where I was able to build automated communications and streamlined internal processes. I knew my strength was primarily in problem solving. I seemed to be able to think outside of the square and could see the end goal where others couldn’t. Combine that with the practical know-how of how the business worked, and I could create success for myself and others.
What I was lacking however was verbal communication skills. In a corporate meeting where we would be trying to win over a client, I didn’t feel quick witted enough whenever a client asked me a question as I’d never have the right words to say, or stumble and stutter whilst trying to get a sentence out. Because of this, I would avoid spur of the moment meetings because I realised I hated being caught out in a conversation or not being prepared enough for a suitable response.
This reaction turned out to be a limiting belief though. I recall in my childhood school years, I stepped up to speak in front of the class and conduct a presentation for an assignment, but I ended up saying something incorrectly and got mocked and laughed at by the class. It was something silly in hindsight (quite frankly, looking back on it now, I would have laughed too!), but it was enough to make me think that speaking out is dangerous and full of risk. We are so vulnerable as children and these experiences can form beliefs that carries into our adult years.
With a coach, I looked back on that moment and was able to shift the perception of that experience. I recognised that I was being brave for speaking first, that kids were being were kids with what they were saying and that even today I can acknowledge it was a little funny. Reflecting over the situation made me realise that they weren’t laughing at me, but the situation I had created.
After conducting that coaching exercise, I’ve been much more confident in meetings. The intent on what I’m saying comes out clearer and concise, and I enjoy being in these high stake conversations. I take on speaking challenges now to keep pushing myself out of my comfort zone, such as attending networking events, running a webinar to launch my business or helping someone run a book club.
Take a moment to review your limiting beliefs.
Are they real?
Can they be explored? What caused them?
Can you learn new skills to help overcome these limiting beliefs?
Limiting beliefs and fears might seem real, but we all have the ability to conquer them and come off even better on the other side. Fear can be seen as an acronym —
False Evidence Appearing Real.
2. Find your fulfilment
Reflecting over my career, I wish I questioned what truly fulfilled me in life much sooner than I did.
Last year in 2020, Sydney had re-opened after bringing COVID cases to zero and I decided to book a hotel room in the CBD. It was an opportunity change of scenery and an opportunity for adventure after being stuck at home for so long. The getaway was also for my mental health and a moment of reflection, I wanted to review my past and how I got to that point, what my current state of being was at the time, and what I wanted my future to be, I wanted to course correct my life trajectory and find out what brings me fulfilment.
I reflected about myself and what I enjoy the most about the work I do. The people I’ve worked with and know me best, as mentioned earlier they’d describe me as a problem solver. There’s always a way around everything. There’s something new everyday to solve.
Was that really my why though? That I liked problem solving? Behind every question is a truth to what we’re asking and there’s a further why behind everything.
And I realised that whatever it is, it had to be bigger and beyond me as a person.
Why do I enjoy problem solving? That’s when I made the realisation, I realised that I enjoyed problem solving because it made other people happy. Other people’s win is my win also. To be in service of others is what keeps me going.
I find fulfilment in making other people happy. This was such a revelation as I didn’t truly know what drives the actions that I do or the feelings that I have. This was an empowering moment for me, and this value is what keeps me driven for all my goals and ambitions in life.
Take a moment to reflect on fulfilment
What fulfils you in life?
What makes you happy?
Why? And why is that important to you?
Understanding what fulfils you as a human being will empower you for life, because you will know what is the driving force behind your actions and decision making.
3. Dream big.
Something I hadn’t done much throughout my corporate career was dream big.
My life had become a routine and was only just living in the now. My day to day life was working the 9 to 5 in a corporate world, but I didn’t have any particular goals and ambitions.. The job was stable and I had great colleagues at work, paid the bills, saved a little, could go on holiday every now and then and that seemed okay. I was getting too comfortable with what I was doing.
Like many young adults, I would look forward to the weekend where I would go out and enjoy the nightlife, where it would I would get a kick out of life and feel exhilarated before returning to the Monday to Friday routine.
The problem was I didn’t have any career ambition or direction in terms of what I wanted to do in the long term. I never questioned what I wanted out of life, what I valued or what my purpose was meant to be. It had always been living from one moment to another. I had been in my routine for so long that I didn’t even realise that I wasn’t moving or progressing in my life, and this routine of mine had played out like this on repeat for over a decade.
Reflecting further, I know others have gone through the same situation I’ve experienced. There are young adults without direction, seeking fulfilment, have goals but don’t know how to achieve them, living day by day, or missing that creative spark. There are people I could help out there.
Over time and through further reflections, whilst also considering what fulfils me which was making others happy and successful, I started looking forward. I started to dream big. This lead me down the path of seeking coaching as a profession to where I am today as a Success Coach.
Being a success coach brings much joy and allows me to be able to serve the world. There is much fulfilment by granting me the lifestyle I was desperately needing that came with this decision of mine to become a coach.
I still appreciate my corporate career which has given me a positive outlook on life and numerous successes. From that career and what I’ve studied and achieved in life, I studied productivity techniques, how to attain a mindset and paradigm shift, beat limiting beliefs, to creating systems that instigate success and changed my life trajectory. This is my hope for others as well.
Take a moment to dream big –
What does your ideal life look like?
What is your ultimate vision?
What do you need to achieve this life?
Can you start now? (This needs to be a resounding YES!)
What is your next action step?
Dreaming big is an opportunity, and it’s important to know — You can’t fail this whatsoever. Whatever you imagine is the correct answer. So have fun and be limitless with the process!
Whether you’re “that younger self” at the moment seeking career advice, or reflecting and considering your own career advice, here’s to your future success.
