Work Over Five Years – What I Have Learnt

Work Over Five Years

It is insane how quick time goes by. After University my life came to a halt with a number of aspects, which gave me that push to get out and explore the world.

Returning to South Africa I spent the good part of a year exploring and experiencing the world from a different take on life.

I Returned

Sadly due to illness I was required to return to the U.K, to which I decided to gain experience in a job local to home for a short period to further my funding for future travels.

What I Learnt In My Time

So there you have it, work over five years and the true-life experiences I gained along the way:

Job Applications

1. Experience is a must.
2. Qualifications are a small part.
3. Don’t get disheartened if no one responds.
4. Some jobs receive thousands of applicants.

The Role Up To Management

1. Expect to put in loads of hours.
2. Be prepared to run before you can walk.
3. Sometimes you just have to kiss ass.
4. People wont always like you… Get used to it.

Hard Work

1. Those evenings when friends are out for a beer… You will be at work.
2. You will get known as the person who works too much.
3. What social life?
4. It is all worth it.

Leadership

1. Leaders give direction not orders.
2. Listen to your peers; you want them on your side.
3. Even when you don’t feel like leading, you will have to.
4. People are like robots, if they are given no instructions they will just stand there.

Confrontation

1. Be prepared to get moaned at by staff and customers.
2. No matter what anger issues you have, don’t hit them it will just make things worst.
3. No matter how happy you are be prepared to be confronted by grumpy negative people.
4. Whatever age your employees are they all act like stroppy teenagers.

Customer Services

1. Every customer is a specialist in whatever you are selling.
2. The customer is always right even when he is being damn right stupid.
3. Always pay attention to the small details like names and preferences.
4. The little things matter.

Motivation

1. Positive words go a long way.
2. No matter how motivated you are, there will always be that one person who gets in the way.
3. Even with a positive mind, one moan from the wrong person and you are the least motivated person for the day.
4. Plan your day the night before.

Creativity

1. Whenever you aren’t feeling creative, tackle another task.
2. Learn to accept criticism even when you think it’s your best bit of work.
3. Ask for others opinions, it helps you grow.
4. Being creative, doesn’t mean your ideas are the best.

Problem Solving

1. Being stuck in the situation makes it harder to work out a solution, step away for five minutes.
2. Listen to your employees; many often have ideas that we are oblivious to.
3. Assume everyone is dumb.
4. Be prepared to think on the spot.

Logistics

1. No matter how little room you have, head office always assume anything can fit.
2. Normally you moan for five minutes then realize sod it nothing else I can do but make it fit.
3. Even the most planned situation will have its blocks along the way.
4. Nothing beats a good plan that goes successfully.

Interviewing

1. First impressions truly do matter.
2. Try not to look for rocket scientists on CV’s else you will be disappointed.
3. The Interviewer is often as nervous as the Interviewee, so don’t panic.
4. Do your research on the company. It will impress the Interviewer.

Legalities

1. All staff members think they are lawyers.
2. You always get one smart ass.
3. No matter how many times you prep your speech in a disciplinary, they will always have something to say that you didn’t think of.
4. Templates are your best friends.

Management In General

1. They say shit travels down, sadly it travels and up and down.
2. When you are having a bad day don’t take it out on your staff.
3. Your staff are your closest companions. You won’t win them all over but at least work your hardest to try as they will be the ones you see every day.
4. You wont please everyone.

Time Is Money

1. It is always hard but try and get a balance between work and life.
2. Get up early, and make the most of your morning.
3. When you open up or close for the evening, those last few minutes when no one is around you get more done due to no distractions.
4. Even when you are contracted to 40 hours a week, expect to do more.

Summary

The skills I have learnt along the way are merely just a snippet of my life over the past five years, and I cannot begin to explain how grateful I am for some seriously good times and bad times.

Each of which I define as an experience and has changed me into the person I am today.