Life is hard; it won’t be easy. Of course, you will have beautiful, fun, and happy days, but at an unexpected moment, you might even take a hit from someone very close to you. Be ready for hard times and never give up, never quit, and never lose your morale. Keep fighting. There’s a saying: “The good always win.” And you really do. You may take some blows along the way, but in the end, you will prevail. Malicious, scheming people who take advantage of others will eventually stumble.
Decide What You Want
Every person has things they’re good at. What are you good at? Human relations, numbers, reporting, managing, teaching… And most importantly—how ambitious are you? Do you always want more? Or do you say, “I’m fine like this, I don’t want to get too involved”? These questions are very important in your career choices. Only you can truly know yourself. If you’re good with people, jobs involving direct contact with passengers or customers may suit you. If you like numbers and reporting, finance or back-office roles might be a better fit. If you trust your management skills and can handle stress and pressure, aim higher. In a place where you’re unhappy, you cannot be productive or successful; you’ll just get through the day.
Climb the Ladder Step by Step
Everyone wants a promotion right away. But when you become a manager, the people working under you want to trust your decisions. To make good decisions, you must understand the fundamentals, the purpose, and the results of the work being done. Otherwise, you can’t decide effectively. Indecision is worse than making a bad decision; it can cause even more harm. Trust and respect are earned through your actions, kindness, and sincerity. Respect gained through position and title is not real respect; you’re fooling yourself. That’s why you should do your job well, do it right, and treat people well.
The Employer–Employee Relationship is Temporary
“We’re like a family.” That’s the biggest lie and cliché. You signed an employment contract with your company; it’s an agreement. When you start a job, you’re not joining a family; you’re starting a professional relationship. Of course, you can love and take ownership of your company and say, “Thanks to this company, I can do these things.” You might even feel, “The atmosphere is great, I feel at home here.” But in the end, this is a business agreement: you will fulfill the tasks the company asks of you, and in return, they will pay your salary and provide any additional benefits. Why do I say this? Because no matter your position or past achievements, you are temporary, the company is permanent. When the time comes, you will leave, and no one will cry after you. While you work, give your full value in return for what you receive, but remember it’s an agreement.
Don’t Be Afraid to Make Decisions
Don’t fear making decisions; don’t stay indecisive. Get input, listen to others, but also hear your inner voice. Many people don’t want to take risks; they prefer to stay in a safe harbor. That’s why there will be those who say, “This won’t work,” or come up with excuses to prevent it from happening. If you believe your decision is right and your risk assessment shows no major concerns, move forward. I’ve been making my own decisions since I was 14. Of course, I’ve made mistakes. Instead of being upset, I learned from them.
Be Honest
There are many qualities a person can have. Everyone has some of them to a greater or lesser degree. But in professional life, the most important thing for me is honesty. Honesty builds trust, trust increases belief in you, and companies and managers want to work with people they trust. They also give more support to those they trust.
Know Your Worth
You are the main character in your life; everyone else is a supporting actor. We are also extras in other people’s lives, but we should focus on our own. Know your worth and the value of what you do, and don’t stay where you’re not appreciated.
People Will Tire and Hurt You the Most
In this talk, I keep saying “company,” but what gives life to companies is people. Otherwise, a company is just something that exists on paper. People are what make your life happy or unhappy. Stay away from negative people; they drain your energy. Don’t allow this. Walk away from that environment, even if it’s your best friend. Stay close to people who lift your energy.
Balance Work and Personal Life
Don’t be only work-focused, but also don’t neglect work by saying, “I’ll spend more time with my family.” These days, companies look at performance; both big and small companies do this. You are evaluated based on your performance. Balance helps keep your performance strong. If you’re overly work-focused, productivity drops, you get tired, and your risk of making mistakes increases.
Don’t Share Everything with Everyone
There will be those who present your ideas as their own. Some will envy you and try to block your path. They may want to implement your idea under their own name. They’ll share it elsewhere. Don’t reveal topics, ideas, or thoughts before they’re fully clear. Speak to them at the right place and time so everyone knows the idea came from you.
Share Your Knowledge
Knowledge grows, develops, and becomes more valuable when shared. Knowledge that isn’t shared remains just a secret and cannot benefit others. Having knowledge is important, but sharing and spreading it is far more meaningful. Pass on your knowledge and experience to those working with you and those who come after you.