On this day, nine years ago, I joined my first job at TCS Initial Learning Program (ILP) center, Hyderabad.

Let’s go straight to the point. Here are the Nine new things that I learned from my work life:

1. Put your efforts, forget results

When efforts are sincere enough, they will pay off later. All things will fall in place. Ratings, Appraisals, Promotions, everything.

2. Know your work and know your company

It is very very important to know these aspects. The first aspect will tell what impact you are creating in the current role and the latter will tell about the next new and exciting opportunity available for you to grow further. My friend used to say – You will not move from your current role, when you are not able to do the next level job or when your junior is not able to do your job.

3. Money is not (always and only) a measure of growth

I have friends who switched companies for almost zero % hike. Resigned well paying jobs at a career impasse. In both cases, they grew even outside the bracket of money. They feel their decisions are right at that moment. I feel the same.

4. Stay connected with your past managers/supervisors. The next big opportunity can be from them

It is not okay if you are bad at networking. But it is even worse if you are not in touch with your past managers/supervisors. Only they can testify your work. And a positive opinion about you can even offer you a big opportunity that you have been waiting for. Just a note, a leader will take his/her team when he/she moves to a bigger role.

5. Win twice

so that your first win is not considered as luck.

6. Be a lifelong learner

Career growth is proportional to ability of learning/unlearning/relearning.

7. At times, goals keep changing and hence live with that uncertainty.

It is absolutely okay if you are in completely different field from what you have started. The only thing that matters is daily improvement, enjoying what we do and living in present. We will become what we do today. This does not mean one should be directionless. The more we explore life, the more opportunities we will discover.

8. Communicate

Speak your mind. But assertively. Either spoken or written. It is very very important. In TCS, we had posters of the quote by Bernard Shaw on communication – The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.

9. Work is just part of life

Pursue hobbies. Eat healthy. Spend time with families and friends. Take time. Hit refresh when things stuck. All these aspects add quality to the life. Improves performance at work. Be sincere but not serious.

And, see you tomorrow !