The career talk

How do you know whether you are in the right place, career-wise?

How can you tell that you fulfil your true potential?

Are you even compensated fairly for the value you bring to the table?

These questions are an intrinsic part of the economic exchange of goods or services, and are familiar to almost everyone. Especially so, when it’s the time to reflect on our goals, objectives and past successes. Usually when we flip that (now virtual) calendar page on the first day of each year.

Some time ago I came to the conclusion that it doesn’t make much sense to be waiting for the new year to start something new and exciting. In fact, it doesn’t make any sense at all. If I started early, I would be way ahead by the time the next new year kicked in. You don’t have to wait. Start today and see what happens.

There’s something extremely powerful and universal in finding inspiration… in just doing things.

I think the breakthrough moment came in my late teens. I was playing in a rock band that we formed with my school friends. Nothing extravagant, we played some covers and also tried writing some original songs. One thing I wrote at that time was about frustration which leads to inspiration. It was actually a pretty sad song, one of the last pieces I wrote then.

The clue was that one first needed to put in work to yield any benefit. Nothing new you see. I didn’t know this at that time, but there’s something extremely powerful and universal in finding inspiration… in just doing things. It’s about investing the greatest energy and effort to get things moving, and then everything else falls in place as we progress. In one way or another.

In order to succeed, as it turned out, I had to be agile. Start small, then grow. And adapt on the go. Back then, I was often using references to sports as I knew it worked there – no champion is made overnight. No artist succeeded without putting in a great deal of work either.

The method 

It didn’t take long for me to discover the potential of the actual Agile methodology, and its gains when assessing everything as a project. Also, how gracefully it can be applied to almost anything as an ultimate framework for life.

Fast-forward a few years, I kept evolving and this took me to start my own design venture. I could have waited to graduate from the Fine Arts Academy first, but I decided to seize the opportunities that presented themselves, and start the business while still studying. This has led to many other opportunities, and a lot of great lessons too.

This has also set me on a fast-track, or shall I say, crash-course in personal growth. I’ve invested a tremendous amount of time in self development. So when I was listening to Vishen Lakhiani’s “The Code of The Extraordinary Mind” many years later, I thought… no way… this could have been my story! I had developed the same mindset over time that Vishen outlined in his book. Which I strongly recommend, by the way, if you don’t know it yet.

Now imagine what would happen if we applied a more structured methodology to career growth. Ignore all biases, role models, all the formatting we’ve been made to believe in. Instead, let’s focus on things we can improve here and now, that would propel us in the right direction. Often, moving in any direction will be better than staying still. It’s not a hunting ground where any movement can be costly – especially for a prey.

Okay, but we are talking careers here…

So imagine how eye-opening it was when I enrolled in the PowerCareer course (as an add-on to my ThePowerMBA experience)… I knew Agile principles worked well in so many areas of life, so why wouldn’t these help in career development too? A few more classes in and I was totally consumed by studying my personal strengths, career choices, and sketching new ideas for my future.

The principle is strikingly simple – to capture enough data to see patterns emerge.

One exercise in particular was a game changer for me. I knew how self awareness could impact our choices, but also our behaviour in a more direct way. However, I often assumed that I knew myself better than I actually did. Only when I started journaling each hour – for an extended period of time – all my activities and how they affected my wellbeing did I discover new blind spots.

A note to make, I’ve adapted the Flow Journal exercise for my purposes as I wanted to get more granular entries. The principle is strikingly simple – to capture enough data to see patterns emerge. It turned out to be the ultimate validation of where I draw my energy from. What I care about most. And also what drains me to the unbearably low energy levels.

Here are just a few highlights, to give you an idea:

My daily power rituals literally make or break a day; I didn’t feel like myself on ALL days that I skipped any of these habits: 

• • a morning run
  • followed by a cold shower
  • a quality lunch break
  • late afternoon walk
  • no food after 7pm
  • being asleep before midnight

Things that get me in the zone/ flow state (4 hrs+):

• • creating content, in general
  • playing & recording music
  • photography, multimedia, visual & performing arts
  • creative writing

Things that energize me and give me a deep sense of purpose:

• • solving complex, multidimensional issues under pressure
  • navigating chaos and defining processes
  • learning new things, especially in business, finance and economy

Things that drain my energy:

• • passively consuming social media
  • too many meetings or calls
  • spending time in crowded places
  • late food (no matter how healthy)

So… what?

Taking a more scientific approach to this, now I can channel my energy better and optimise for faster results; Be it personal growth, career progression or just generating new opportunities and value.

So, do I know the answers to the questions I started this post with? In my case, yes, based on my own experiences.

I know I’m in the right place when it doesn’t feel like “work”.

I know I’m doing my mojo when I can dissolve in whatever I’m up to for hours and I’m not feeling tired. I once spent 7 hours in a row writing – and it felt like nothing.

And I know I’m fairly compensated when I sell the value which I generate, not the time.

/K.