So, I’ve been working since 2007, with some internships I did while in college and then some great and not so great experiences. Here are some lessons I learnt the hard way.
1. Don’t work to soon, enjoy your free time while you have it
I was young and eager and wanted to start getting as much experience as I could. As I took my degree in business administration, I assume the sooner I started the sooner I would be a big shot. WRONG. While I was working, my colleagues were on vacation, getting rest, having fun, experiencing some most valuable things that only happened outside an office. They valued their time, their friends and family, and boyfriends or girlfriends. I was learning, that’s true, but not enough to make a difference when all of us entered the market. The truth is at the begin of classes they were rested, they didn’t know how much fun is working than studying, so they get better grades and so they have the same opportunities as you.
2. Don’t work for free, ever! (Unless you’re helping those in need)
This is one of the most important lessons learnt. At some point in my life I was almost paying to work (there are people who actually pay for the opportunity of an internship, bless them), I did not pay the company, but pay the transport and food and all the costs of being every day at the office. At that time, people use to hear me say - “I am paying to learn! You can’t put a price on experience, bla”. You work, you get paid, and that’s how it should be! If you work for free once, people think you can feed yourself with air for the rest of your life and they will never value your work properly. Trust me, I know. Put a price on your work and demand it. Do you know that line, when you want to get into a relationship that “If you don´t love yourself, nobody will”? The same happens at work.
3. Don’t work for people you don’t believe
Another one painful. You can even work for the biggest genius you know, you admire them for their knowledge and experience! But the truth is, as the time goes by they don’t meet your expectations, they don’t deliver their promises… furthermore, instead of making you grow, they are holding you back. If people disappoint you once, trust me they will do it again. If you don’t believe in them, in their passion, and their ability for growing business just quit now and save yourself from miserable times.
4. Don’t get caught by the dream
As I said before, when you’re young you always think that you are going to be some big star or work at google, or some other dreamy company. That you would suit up every day and dress Armani or Boss or whatever fancy brand you like. At some point in your life you change, and your dream is not that anymore, don’t be afraid to change, don’t be embarrassed to give up your dream, after all you are not giving up, you are just chasing a new dream, being that travel the whole world, being an actor, a chef or an artisan. As you grow up you change, and your dreams might not be the same in 5 years, so don’t feel frustrated to chase some new ones. Just chase whatever makes you happy.
5. Don’t get attached to people
In general, people suck. That’s my main idea after six years working.
Sometimes you will make friends for life at work, but only if you are very lucky (I am, I made friends for life). The main point here is, do not stay at a job because you love your colleagues, it’s not enough. If they are meant to stay in your life, they will be at any job you have.
However, other times, the people you though were the best, and that they loved you and valued your work, will disappoint you. You are not a big deal, nobody is irreplaceable …puff they forget about you. So don’t get to close to people, you can end up hurt and the problem is on you. Nobody actually said you were special, you just assume that.
6. Don’t get attached to money
Don’t work for free, don’t work for money. Ok, I assume that’s somewhat crazy. My idea here is work for you. When I said earlier that you should value your work, value yourself also. Don’t work at a company, or job you hate, just for the money (unless you absolutely need it, I know, ruff times). However, if you love to work (you can just work for living and you actually care of what happens in your real life, I envy you), love your work. It took me to cry every day before I went to work to realize I needed to change, please don’t be as dumb as me.
7. Don’t be afraid to start over
I love fresh starts, seriously, the first month of every job (even in the worst I had) is always the best. Don’t ever think is too late to begin a new job, to experiment a new field, to have a new experience. If you are not happy, change. One day a friend of mine send me a cute picture saying: “If don’t like where you are, move, you are not a tree” - Best message I ever get, one advice I will never forget.
