4 Things I Discovered as I Entered my Career
It’s been nearly a year and a half since I started my first full-time role.
A year ago, I began to feel this pressure (brought on by the one and only… me) to be the very best in my role. Even after one year of work. It took me about 6 months into my work to take a step back and realize this is my first time doing any kind of work to this extent.
Starting out, my mental health was at its very worst. I felt this need to compare myself to professionals who have been in the marketing field for much longer than I have. Quickly, I’ve learned the importance of celebrating the small moments at work because they’d be a crucial stepping stone in my career.
Some things that I’ve learned from my growing network throughout this past year and a half are below.
You aren’t bad, you’re just a beginner. And, there’s nothing wrong with that. I’ve come to terms that this past year has been an exciting learning experience. I have and still am learning new things and taking on new and exciting projects every day. Things that I would’ve never expected to be doing until maybe year 3 or 4.
You can Google literally anything. Okay, duh. But seriously, if there is something you can’t figure out, Google it. Rather than asking a coworker or your manager a simple question, take the initiative and look it up. Who knows, maybe you’ll learn something more than your initial ask.
You’re going to have bad days. Some days, you’ll be like “yeah, I did that” and others, you’ll be waiting for your computer clock to strike 5:00 PM. Some days, everything will go your way and you’ll feel like you’re on top of the world but when the day seems like it’s just not on your side, just remember your end goal. Whatever that may be.
Do not skip a self-care day. Never- and I repeat, never skip a self-care day. I’ve found that the key to preventing burnout is taking care of yourself. Utilize your PTO, find some solitude on the weekends, or even head to bed early during the week. Realistically, you’ve worked so hard to get to where you are and you should always seek the benefits of your labor. Whatever that is
You are doing your very best. That’s all that anyone can ask.
