The Top 8 Things Ive Learned (and am Still Learning) from Business

Its been over 4 years since I started my career, and I can say wholeheartedly, that without support from mentors, friends, and family, Id be as lost as the day I graduated. Most things on this list are learned from this support network, and some through my own mistakes and failures. I hope this is as helpful to you as it has been to me.

1. THE MOST IMPORTANT INVESTMENT YOU EVER MAKE IS IN YOURSELF.

I didnt invite anyone to my University graduation. My family found out and attended the event, but when it was over, I couldnt a find a way out of there fast enough. I didnt want to talk to my friends or fellow graduates and their families, because I didnt feel I was worthy of a degree. I had taken the easiest route out  majoring in something I was inherently good at  but not even remotely passionate about. I wasted my time there and I had always thought it was the Universitys fault. The truth is, I didnt value investing in myself back then. I take night and online classes now  learning all I can about leadership and marketing. Im trying to make up for all the time I had lost before. If I had known this earlier, Id be able to spend my week nights relaxing instead of doing homework. The thing is, you cant control the world around you. Shit happens  sometimes you get laid off or you lose all your clients and you have to shut down your business. Sometimes you have to re-locate or restart your career due to family or relationship reasons. If any of this happens, youre only left with yourself, so invest in you before anything else.

2. ASK QUESTIONS WITH THE INTENTION OF LISTENING. THE BEST NUGGETS OF HONESTY TEND TO COME AFTER THE LONG PAUSES.

Its difficult to learn how to be a good listener. I was god-awful at it not too long ago, and Im still learning now. However, whenever Ive focused on listening first, the conversations have always become more memorable (and valuable). Try this next time; ask someone a question which has an open-ended answer, and wait for them to respond instinctively. Continue to nod without saying anything. After a couple of seconds, a more honest answer will usually spill out.

3. DONT JUST READ AND INGEST INFORMATION  PRACTICE AND TEST TOO.

As you probably know already, theres an abundance of information on the web  to the point where its completely overwhelming. Its easy to get caught up ingesting all this information and feeling like youre learning as you read articles or watch videos. However, I would suggest putting things into practice and really recognizing all the intangibles that are inexplicable until you try something.

4. TRY NOT TO BURN BRIDGES. BUT IF YOU REALLY HAVE TO, BURN IT WITH A SMALL ENOUGH FIRE SO IT DOESNT GET ON THE NEWS.

I used to be very confrontational. Its led me to a place where Ive regretted every single bridge Ive burnt. Sometimes it went so far as to draw attention from other people  which is the worst scenario. I often think about how I could have handled relationships better and whether or not Im still able to revive them. More often than not, I cant. Nowadays, if I have an issue with someone, I dont light a match.

5. BE KIND TO YOUR COMPETITION. THERES ENOUGH ROOM FOR EVERYONE.

The ad agency competition in Vancouver is fierce. There are many agencies  most of which are very talented  all vying for limited projects. At the same time, Vancouver is also incredibly tight-knit, so if you position yourself as an adversary to your competition, youre not going to have many friends. The same thing can be said about other industries.

6. IF YOURE GOING TO DO SOMETHING, DO IT THE BEST YOU CAN.

Everything you put your name on speaks about you and your character. You get what you put in, so why wouldnt you put in your best work? Sometimes, an issue creeps up on me that I cant provide my best work on side projects because Im swamped with other commitments. Im still learning how to say no when I know I cant provide my full attention to something, but its a work-in-progress at best.

7. SOMETIMES MASTERING THE OLD THING IS MORE VALUABLE THAN LEARNING THE NEW THING

We work in an industry where new is often touted as more important and valuable than the old. Its easy to get caught up in the hype  its more exciting  but more exciting doesnt necessarily mean more valuable.

8. LEAVE TIME FOR SELF-REFLECTION

When I say leave time for it, I mean actually put it into your schedule. Frequently refreshing and reminding yourself of who you are and what youre doing is not a waste of time. Sometimes youll realize that youve really embodied a lesson that was taught to you, and sometimes youll re-learn something and realize that you hadnt been putting it to practice enough (see #3). Self-reflection also helps increase your self-awareness, allows you to rejuvenate, and gives you time to actually slow down and appreciate the journey.