1. You’re now Ready to Learn—In the martial arts practice of Tang Soo Do, practitioners who achieve Black Belt status are awarded a Midnight Blue colored Belt, as opposed to other styles which prize traditional Black Belts. Whereas the color Black typically signifies an ending, Midnight Blue is intended to represent the vastness of the Ocean, signifying that learning never ends, that the opportunities for continued growth are limitless, and that Tang Soo Do belt recipients are now truly ready to learn. Your college diploma is the equivalent of a Midnight Blue “Black” Belt. You are now ready to learn.
2. Embrace the Journey—Be patient. Success is not an overnight achievement. You’ll experience changes in careers, companies, and roles multiple times. That’s all part of the process of discovering your joy and what fulfills you professionally. Opportunities come to those who bring their best selves to work every day and prove their worth with consistent effort and dedication. Build a strong foundation of skills, experience, and personal relationships. When your personal growth stagnates, potential advancement is limited, or the company’s direction and leadership no longer inspire you, move on.
3. Speak Up—Enroll in a public speaking class (i.e., Toastmasters, Dale Carnegie, local college course, LinkedIn, etc.). Whether you identify as an extrovert or an introvert, you’ll be expected to present your ideas and render opinions at work. Few skills are more valuable than the ability to express yourself confidently and capably to others, especially in a group setting. Public speaking is a talent that’s developed, not born. The safe, warm environment of a highly supportive speech class will grow your skills, build your confidence, and help you leave a lasting impression when addressing others.
4. Your Job is to Solve Problems—As a rising marketing executive, I managed a talented team who were increasingly burdened with mundane administrative tasks assigned by the sales organization. These requests took precious time away from the high-value activities that they typically handled. Feeling frustrated, I confronted my boss. When he asked for my recommendations, I was speechless. I mistakenly thought it was his job to fix this dilemma. “Don’t ever bring me a problem again without a solution”, he admonished. As I exited his office, I learned the most powerful and humbling lesson of my career. I was on the company payroll to solve problems. So are you!
5. You Don’t Need a Title to Lead—Some of the best leaders I’ve witnessed are front-line employees who, while lacking a managerial title, exhibit strong leadership skills, often without realizing it. How so? It’s evident in their interactions with customers and co-workers, their refusal to engage in workplace toxicity by speaking ill of others or allowing such behavior in their presence. It’s in their can-do attitudes, how they take charge in critical situations, and leave a positive impression on those they encounter. They don’t wait to be anointed a title—they lead by example. Follow their lead!
Embed these 5 tips firmly in your mind, embrace them daily, and take decisive action on each one and success and achievement will not just follow you, it will literally chase after you.