MAP Strategic Wealth Advisors

Career Advice That Doesn’t Suck

Seven takeaways:

Bloom’s 7 pieces of advice of career advice, designed to apply to any stage of your career, are:

1. Swallow the Frog: Mark Twain wrote, “If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.” This is not only a reminder to do the hard things in the day first. It is a reminder to look for opportunities to do the hard things for your bosses– both to add value and to stand out from those unwilling to do the hard tasks.
2. Do the “Old Fashioned” Things Well: Simple habits like eye contact, punctuality, good posture, and kindness are timeless. These small but powerful actions will never go out of style, and set you apart in a world where basic courtesies are too often overlooked.
3. Work Hard First (& Smart Later): It is simple: Hard work is the foundation for success. Before focusing on working smart or cutting corners, establish a reputation for effort, reliability, and getting things done. Over time, this earns you the leverage to work more efficiently.
4. Build Storytelling Skills: Great leaders aren’t necessarily the smartest—they’re the best at aggregating complex sets of data, and communicating it simply & effectively. They turn important learnings into clear, compelling narratives. If you can master storytelling, you’ll always bring value to any organization.
5. Build a Reputation for Figuring It Out: No one has all the answers, especially early in their career. The most valuable people are those who can take on new challenges, ask the right questions, and solve problems independently. Doing these things is the easiest way to beat imposter syndrome and get key experience.
6. Show Up Early (& Stay Late): Being present before and after key meetings is the best way to increase your “luck surface area”– it increases your exposure to opportunities and important conversations. In remote settings, seek out moments to connect and engage outside of formal meetings, as this in-person connection will be even more vital.
7. Dive Through Cracked Doors: Opportunities don’t always present themselves in obvious ways. Pay attention to life’s small openings, unexpected chances, and moments where you can step up—these often lead to the biggest career breakthroughs.

In your career, many things will feel maddeningly beyond your control. But– like in all areas of life, directing your energy toward what you can control will always push you in a better and more actionable direction.

By Writer & Entrepreneur Sahil Bloom
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