The Rooster on Top

As I currently prepare to move back to the West Coast and pursue my own job search, I’ve decided to take a step back to reflect on some of the important lessons I feel I’ve learned over the years that I strive for within my own self in a professional setting and thought I would share:

Success often has to do with attitude just as much as aptitude. Whether working with a team or leading a group, people are attracted to positivity and a lot more often gets done when people feel good and are excited about the work they are doing.

Network and maintain relationships. A lot can happen during a walk to a subway station or over a drink. Every relationship is a valuable connection both personally and professionally so it’s a good idea to stay in touch.

Always have your elevator pitch ready to go. If you can’t describe what you’ve been up to in 2 minutes or less, people may stop listening.

Breadth and depth. Being a generalist is certainly good and fine, but every once in a while you’ll find you can have a deeper impact when you become an expert at something that might turn out to be more satisfying.

The world lacks doers so work towards becoming one. For many of us, we have to push ourselves beyond our comfort zones to move forward on our ideas to start a project, company, or internal initiative. Someone else won’t do it; it’s up to you.

Don’t get good at things you don’t want to do. Although one’s career might start out doing the grunt work in any organization and there’s lessons to be gained from all types of work, be careful not to pigeon hole yourself into a line of work that you really hate doing.