- Many new graduates start working, and many companies arrange orientation courses to help them familiarize themselves with the company and their work, enabling them to get up to speed faster. It is recommended that new employees summarize what they have learned in each class and their understanding of future work, then write a report and submit it to their boss. This will help you remember what you have learned and heard more easily. Moreover, if there are any misunderstandings, the boss can correct them.
- Ten tips for new employees in the department to kick-start their careers: 1. Always do what you say; 2. Be proactive and stay at least one step ahead of your boss; 3. Plan the priorities of work and life; 4. Strive for excellence, reject mediocrity; 5. Be prepared for setbacks; 6. Dive deep into the business, talk business; 7. Become a master of communication; 8. Cultivate personal hobbies; 9. Pay attention to physical health; 10. Start planning your personal reputation.
- Some students ask: "What to do if you chose the right company but the wrong department?" Many companies offer opportunities to transfer departments. The reason is simple: it's better to keep a talented person within the company than to let them leak out. But there is a prerequisite: whether you like it or not, first do your current job excellently, then make your request to your boss. If your performance in the current department is poor, other departments will be much less likely to consider you.
- A senior colleague often said that new employees should be like a sponge. The characteristic of a sponge is that it can absorb all the water it comes into contact with. New employees should also absorb as much as possible from what they see, observe, and hear in the work environment to increase their knowledge, insights, judgment, and discernment, allowing them to grow continuously. Don't be afraid of absorbing too much and not being able to digest it. A sponge has a certain capacity at any time. If it temporarily absorbs enough, it will buffer and then come back.
- Sometimes I hear new employees complain about why they are only doing execution work. When can they participate in strategy and planning? I always say: learn to walk before you learn to run. First, focus on proving excellent execution ability. Strategy and planning work will come later. Don't underestimate the importance of execution. Without good execution, all strategy and planning are just paper talk.
- In addition to on-the-job training and attending training courses, there is another way of learning called learning by osmosis. When you have the opportunity to work closely with senior and well-regarded colleagues or bosses, seize the opportunity to carefully observe how they: handle people and matters, face/solve problems, express and communicate, and manage relationships with superiors. I once had the privilege of observing some good role models, which helped me grow a lot.
- Career development should not be limited to upward development. It's not only about climbing the ladder quickly that counts as success. Horizontal development is also important. Even if your position and level remain unchanged, you should still pursue continuous growth and improvement. Many people, while waiting for the next "promotion," forget to "add value" in their current position. How to add value in your current position? Actively seek new experiences, attempts, challenges, and environments. Holding this mindset can also reduce the risk of hitting a bottleneck.
- I asked a new employee who loves basketball if he had played recently. He said he was busy with work and under pressure, so he didn't have the energy and hadn't played for over a month. In fact, work pressure is inevitable. But if you have already started to neglect the things you love outside of work, you should force yourself to do them, even if it's just for a few minutes. Otherwise, over time, you will gradually lose enthusiasm or give up without realizing it. Moreover, when under pressure, the things you love can be a great way to relieve stress.
- I shared seven tips with new employees in the department to promote work-life balance: 1. Define what balance means to you; 2. Clarify the most important things at each stage of your life; 3. Health is the foundation of work-life balance; 4. Cultivate personal hobbies and interests; 5. Listen carefully to what your body, mind, and spirit are telling you; 6. Find your beliefs and spiritual and emotional sustenance; 7. Plan your work-life balance.
- There was a new employee who, during the interview, seemed like a brilliant campus student leader. But after joining the company, he became increasingly dim, no longer that shining light. When asked what he was not adapting to, he said: "I always thought I was the best. Only after leaving campus did I realize there are so many excellent people in the world." In the workplace, confidence goes further than a sense of superiority. Superiority is built on the fact that others are weaker than you. Confidence is built on self-awareness.
- When I first joined the company, a senior gave me a great piece of advice: "For a new employee to stand out, learn to be one or two steps ahead of your boss. When your boss assigns work, don't wait for him to urge you to submit. Each time you submit, ensure the quality exceeds your boss's expectations. If you think of things your boss hasn't, that's even better. By continuously winning your boss's confidence, you can take on more important responsibilities and hone your skills earlier."
- New employees have a "privilege": they can ask questions without the pressure of being judged.
- Including so-called "stupid" or "silly" questions. When everyone still treats you as a blank slate, you are more likely to get their help and answers. But this privilege period is limited, roughly from six months to a year after joining. After the new employee period, bosses and colleagues will start to require you to try to find answers yourself before asking questions.
- In the company, if you receive a call from a stranger, it is recommended not to chat directly with them. Unless you are responsible for the company's customer service hotline, it is best to ask the person to leave their name, contact information, and the purpose of the call, and then reply yourself or have the relevant department reply. This not only confirms the caller's identity but also serves them better. At the same time, it avoids giving personal or company information to people who don't need to know.
- New employees often ask me: How can I express myself more concisely in oral communication or writing? In fact, the most important purpose of communication and self-expression is clarity, not brevity. You want to give the other party no chance to misunderstand you. The clearest way of expression is usually also the most concise. And to train clear expression, the best way is to write more. Generally, people who write clearly also communicate clearly orally.
- In the early days, I often encountered this problem: when a document was needed, I couldn't find it because there were too many files on the computer. I think the most basic file management is the naming of files and the setting of folders. So don't underestimate file naming. I personally find an effective method: use the date plus a clear title. For example: 05-20-13 Project X Board of Directors Review Meeting Summary.
- A senior once told me: "In the workplace, you don't have to play the role of a good student for a long time. Don't always seek your boss's approval before proceeding. In fact, for some things, especially those you are fully confident about or have a low risk of causing trouble, you can take the initiative and do it your way. Ask for 'forgiveness' afterwards. Don't always ask for permission. You can ask for forgiveness too."
- In the workplace, everyone is their own brand. It is recommended that new employees spend some time thinking clearly and planning their positioning in the workplace. When someone talks about you, what do you want them to associate with you first and remember? It could be your expertise, skills, attitude, or character. Building a brand is not an overnight thing. After clarifying your long-term positioning, you must carefully shape and manage it step by step.
- A classmate, a year or two ago, for various reasons, failed to join his first-choice company, so he went to another company to develop. Just as his work was on track and he achieved good results, the first-choice company had an opening. At this point, he began to hesitate whether to give up his current development. I told him: Follow your heart, while you can still afford to.
- Achieving work-life balance is not necessarily a perfect 50:50 ratio. Everyone's definition of balance varies depending on their life stage. For a young person just entering society, so-called balance might be: exercising three times a week, making three phone calls to family, or having half an hour of reading every day. Don't habitually sacrifice things that are important to you because of work. Such dissatisfaction accumulates over time and can lead to great resentment!
- I often hear young people talk about being part of the "moonlight clan" (spending all their income). Because they are just starting out, their income is at the entry level, coupled with inflation and the temptation of brand names and high-tech gadgets. But you should still manage your finances based on your income and plan your expenses. Live and spend within your means. As you progress, your financial capacity will increase, and you can increase your consumption. If buying an iPhone 4 is too heavy a burden now, don't worry. There will be iPhones 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 in the future.
- The first two to three months of a new job are a honeymoon period. Everything seems fresh and wonderful. But after the honeymoon, be mentally prepared for setbacks caused by work. Some people will begin to doubt their abilities and decisions, and may even have thoughts of giving up. Don't worry, you are not alone. This is a common phenomenon after the new employee honeymoon period. Use your perseverance and courage to get through this phase, and then you can gradually become more adept.
- Many companies have their own internal cultural "language." This doesn't refer to English, Mandarin, or any national language. It refers to the vocabulary that has accumulated over the years within the company and is often updated. Multinational companies especially like to use acronyms and abbreviations. New employees who want to integrate into the company should spend some time understanding the internal special language to make it easier to communicate with colleagues in the "same language."
- At home, you may be a child pampered by your parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. Generally, plants grown in a greenhouse are less able to withstand wind and sun. Once you enter society, there will inevitably be setbacks. So you need to deliberately peel away this layer of protection, prepare to endure hardship, learn to be humble, and accept that not everything will go your way. The first year of work is a good time to test and train your stress resistance and frustration tolerance.
- New employees should not only focus on doing the projects they are interested in well, but also put effort into the projects they are less fond of. Do everything well. That is what being responsible means. Every project assigned by your boss is an opportunity to learn, grow, perform, and shine. Your boss evaluates your performance based on your results in every project. If you want to pick and choose work, wait until later when your strengths are more obvious.
- In the company, besides working hard and performing well in your position, if you have extra energy, also strive to participate in more company or department activities. In this regard, students who have just left campus have an advantage; they can bring new ideas from campus to the organization. For new colleagues who don't have a direct working relationship with me, I often get a deeper impression of them through their outstanding performance in department activities.
- A new employee asked his boss: "What kind of leader should I learn to become?" The boss replied: "Be the leader you want to see in others. Whatever qualities and conditions you hope your leader has, set those as your goals to strive for." A new employee's definition of a good leader may be incomplete. But doing this won't lead you too far astray, because most people have a common understanding of what a good leader is.
- If you want to move forward in your work, don't just be a messenger or executor. If you limit yourself to that, your development will definitely be restricted. Employees who do their work with accountability and have a cooperative attitude are basic skills. In addition to leadership ability, whether you have ideas can show your potential for future development. When interacting with your boss, make full use of every opportunity to show your thoughts on matters. Even if your ideas are not fully mature, it's better than having no ideas.
- Some people say: "Curiosity killed the cat." But I think in the workplace, you must maintain a non-gossipy curiosity to keep improving. For new employees, curiosity greatly helps in integrating into a new company and work. It will lead you to want to know more and go deeper, promoting adaptability and growth. For non-new employees, curiosity can keep you up to date in a rapidly changing world, far from the fate of becoming a dinosaur.
- Everyone has their own comfort zone. The things you can easily handle are within your personal comfort zone. To grow, you need to continuously expand your comfort zone. At work, don't fear things you haven't tried or challenges. Regularly ask yourself: "Have I recently done something that takes me out of my comfort zone? Is my comfort zone wider than last quarter?" If the answers are all "no," it means you are still standing still.
- At work, it is important to have your own opinions and be brave enough to stick to them. But don't lose the ability to listen to others' opinions and dissenting views. Don't think you are always right. Persisting with arrogance over time will shape an image of being unreasonable and difficult to get along with. Have opinions, but also be reasonable. Persist, but don't be seen as "difficult." Because most work in a company requires teamwork.
- Every time I take a new position or new task, I set a "100-day plan" for myself, clearly listing the goals and priorities for the next 100 days, defining what success means for this quarter, and selecting a few projects that can produce good results early. As the saying goes: "A good beginning is half the battle." It can give yourself more motivation and give your boss more confidence in you.
- The year I joined the company, dozens of us joined at the same time. Within half a year, we found that at least half of us had gained weight. The reason was that after starting work, our daily routines were not as healthy as in college. Many people ate more due to stress and exercised less due to busy work. So I remind students who have just entered society: no matter how busy you are, don't neglect a healthy routine, so you can better meet the challenges of each day.
- I once attended a training that changed my life. It taught me not to just manage time. More importantly, manage energy. Everyone has only 24 hours a day. But through exercise, diet, and cultivating interests, you can have more energy and vitality to handle the most important things in life and manage work and life more effectively. So no matter how busy or tired you are, don't neglect diet, exercise, and interests. Otherwise, it will become a vicious cycle, and you will get more and more tired.
- No matter how busy work is or how much pressure there is, remind yourself not to unconsciously lock yourself in an ivory tower and become disconnected from society. There was a time when work almost became the entirety of life. Ironically, as a brand manager, I came home every day and didn't even have the energy to watch TV, read newspapers, observe industry ads, or follow current affairs. Fortunately, we are in a digital age, so there is no excuse to be disconnected from the outside world.
- We are living in a volatile, uncertain, complex era. This era requires more proactive leadership. Proactive leaders can consider cultivating several habits: prioritize important matters; identify opportunities; put the organization first; anticipate and advocate; communicate clearly and appropriately; balance authority and compassion; be courageous in pioneering; be vision-driven; delegate fully.
- If you want to become a leader, don't wait until you are promoted to an official leadership position to start leading. People with this mindset generally never become leaders. No matter what position you hold now, seize opportunities to demonstrate your leadership ability. This way, accumulating "leadership merit" along the way will bring you closer to your dream of becoming a leader. Lead from where you are, always.
- A senior once told me: "A proactive leader should maintain a healthy sense of paranoia." Maintaining a moderate, healthy fear can be a positive help for leaders. Because the world is increasingly unstable and volatile, you cannot be complacent or naively think everything will go as planned. Spend some time predicting what might go wrong and prepare backup plans.
- When I first joined the company, a boss once told me: "You actually have many good ideas. But you always make them too complicated, which diminishes their value. Next time you come to talk to me, first think about how to explain your concept to an eighty-year-old grandmother. If she can understand, it means ordinary people will understand. Usually, the most successful ideas and concepts sound simple and easy to understand."
- In our lifetime, we will exchange countless business cards at work. Don't underestimate a business card. The person behind it may be a future friend or partner. It is recommended that after exchanging cards, don't delay; immediately categorize and store the other person's information. For those who may have opportunities for future cooperation, it's best to write an email or send a text message to keep in touch. This way, new acquaintances are not just a one-time meeting.
- A former boss said that a good business proposal does not need more than three reasons to convince others why it should be accepted: from a strategic, trend, or demand perspective, why the proposal is right for the company, customers, or organization; why we are confident in the proposal's chances of success; and what the ultimate benefit to the company is. If there are too many reasons, it may make people think you are covering up a fundamentally weaker proposal.
- A supervisor once said: "The best surprise to give your boss is no surprise." Negative surprises are definitely a deduction. For example, failing to meet his expectations, or suddenly having unexpected bad news in your project's progress. If you surprise him because you performed exceptionally well, that's occasionally good. Too frequent may not be a plus. It depends on whether it means your boss doesn't have high expectations for you, or he underestimates your abilities.
- Even if your boss doesn't arrange it, proactively and regularly seek one-on-one time with him. The frequency and duration depend on your needs and your boss's schedule. Initially, it's recommended to have more frequent but shorter sessions. Once you get the hang of it and have mutual understanding, you can have fewer but longer sessions. What to talk about in one-on-ones? Get feedback, share insights, report project progress, ask for advice on work or life, and chat about things that deepen mutual understanding.
- A classmate asked: "If the boss mentions wrong data in a meeting with his boss, should the subordinate correct it on the spot?" I think it depends on whether the data could lead to a wrong decision. If not, you can correct it after the meeting. If it could, and all three parties trust each other, you might directly correct it. Otherwise, consider a way that doesn't embarrass the boss: 1) supplement or present the correct data as "newly available"; 2) discreetly pass a note.
- When you disagree with your boss's opinion, whether to express it directly or tactfully depends on the trust and relationship between you. But whether direct or tactful, I think you shouldn't stop at saying no and providing data. You should also provide alternative solutions. For example: "This idea might have XX problems in execution. Or we could try another approach to address the concerns you mentioned." The boss will feel heard and won't lose face.
- At work, it's inevitable to have different views and disagreements with your superiors on certain matters. At such times, relying solely on "I think," "I believe," or "I feel" is generally hard to convince someone who is higher in rank, has more experience, and has more power. The most effective method I've used in such situations is to use and provide data more. Do your homework with numbers and data to increase your chances of persuading your boss.
- A little tip for a new colleague preparing for their first face-to-face report to the boss's boss: First, think clearly about the purpose of the meeting and report; are you seeking approval for a proposal, asking for advice, or simply reporting project progress? Think about if you could only tell him three messages, what would you focus on? Remember that big bosses generally pay more attention to the big picture rather than small details.
- When you are on a business trip or vacation and not in the office, inform your boss and colleagues of your itinerary, contact information, and backup arrangements. Don't make people feel you have disappeared. Even if your boss trusts employees, this is responsible, accountable behavior and also helps yourself. Prevent emergencies. It's not necessarily that the company needs to find you. You might also need the company. During the Southeast Asian tsunami, the company was able to help find a colleague traveling there in time.
- When your boss asks you a question, first make sure you understand the question before answering. Avoid answering off-topic, which could cast doubt on your communication or thinking skills. If you understand but don't know the answer, don't make things up and dig yourself into a hole you can't climb out of. Honestly say, "I don't know, but I'll check and get back to you." If you have done your homework, occasionally not knowing one or two questions is fine. As long as it's not every time.
- Hair master, founder of the Sassoon brand, Vidal Sassoon, had a famous saying: "If you don't look good, we don't look good." Similarly, at work, if your boss doesn't perform well in his boss's eyes, it's also disadvantageous to subordinates. If your good performance makes your boss look good, that's good for you. Make your boss look good. Unless he takes all the credit for himself.
- A blogger friend asked: "If your boss wrongly accuses you of something, how should you defend yourself?" This depends on the boss's personality and the trust and relationship between you. I think you should still save face for your boss and not argue with him in front of many people to plead your case. It's recommended to choose a private, calm moment to explain. Or write a letter to clarify. A reasonable boss will admit his mistake to a subordinate.
- How to increase the likelihood that your boss reads and replies to your emails on time? Make the email subject clear so the boss knows at a glance what action he needs to take; mark "urgent" when necessary, but don't make it a habit; avoid attachments, especially PPTs. If your boss is a BlackBerry user, you can't rely on attachments. Put your suggestions and requests in the email, limited to one page; notify your boss in advance that there is an important email that needs his timely attention.
- To build good working relationships with your boss and colleagues, there is a basic thing to do: always act with integrity. For example: don't pretend to know things you don't; you can say: "I don't know, but I'll find out."; if you make a mistake, don't cover it up; admit it, learn from it, and don't repeat the same mistake; don't lie, because to cover one lie, you have to tell more lies, and eventually you will be exposed.
- Check whether you have tacit understanding with your boss: eight out of ten times you can accurately predict the questions he will ask in meetings and have prepared; often before your boss finishes his sentence, you have already correctly completed it in your mind; when looking at things, especially when it's not black and white, your opinions often align; you can read his emotions and mood; you know clearly which boundaries cannot be crossed.
- Your boss is not a god. He is also human. He has his joys and sorrows. He has things he loves and hates. To build a good working relationship with your boss, besides knowing him at work, try to understand him privately as well. This is not flattery, but it helps cultivate tacit understanding and communication at work. In this era, besides face-to-face interaction, there are channels like Weibo to deepen mutual understanding.
- Feedback from your boss on your work performance is a gift that can help you grow. So don't fear or resist it, and don't passively wait. In fact, you can be more proactive in asking your boss for regular guidance and suggestions on your work performance. Feedback means there is room for improvement. As long as it's not about your personality or character, accept it gladly; don't be upset; then plan how to improve or enhance yourself.
- If a part of your project requires approval from higher-ups, when planning, absolutely allow enough time based on your boss's work habits for him to review it first. Never at the last moment go to your boss and say: "You have to approve this now, or the project won't proceed on schedule." Generally, bosses hate subordinates habitually using deadlines as a gun to force them to approve and sign. Except in special circumstances.
- At work, there will be some data that is frequently used or asked about: it could be basic industry statistics, historical sales and market share trends, key consumer research results, budget allocation, organizational data, etc. This varies depending on your job content. It is recommended to consolidate these into a one-page fact sheet and update it regularly. This helps shape a professional image of "having everything under control."
- At work, to show intention, say "I will" more often, and say "I will try" or "I may" less. The former is a firm tone. Many people, when cultivating interests, only have a three-minute passion; they may start enthusiastically but then shelve or give up after a while. In a company, you cannot treat work like a hobby. For projects you are responsible for, you must finish what you start. You cannot become sloppy as you go along. Even if you lose enthusiasm for work or want to change tracks, you must complete what needs to be done. Only then can you be considered "responsible" and "accountable."
- In a company, how to show your creativity? I think it's not just about being imaginative or coming up with crazy ideas. What companies want is strategy-led creativity, not creativity for its own sake. Creativity without strategy is just a gimmick and has limited help to the company. What companies pursue is not just "unprecedented," but how this innovation helps the company perfectly present its strategy to the target audience.
- When responsible for a project, you must find out early who has the final decision-making power; and who influences this person's decisions. After finding out, include their participation and opinions in the project timeline to ensure they don't have sudden "different" opinions. This will make the project go more smoothly and avoid a lot of unnecessary rework. Additionally, if there are too many people "calling the shots" in the project, you can try to ask your boss to simplify.
- For the growth of employees, many companies regularly make changes in responsibilities or positions. When facing a job change, there will inevitably be some resistance at first. Because after investing time in a job or position, you develop feelings. Investment is good. But don't reach the point where you can't let go or accept new challenges. As long as it's within the scope of long-term goals, it's good to experience different things while you are young.
- The Oscars are an annual event to honor outstanding filmmakers. In fact, the spirit of the Oscars can also be transplanted to the workplace to inspire continuous excellent performance. Regularly ask yourself: If there were Oscars for work, what would be my Oscar-worthy performance this year? What will be my Oscar-worthy performance this year? Maybe you won't be nominated or win every year, but it will also reduce the chance of delivering a bad film.
- In the early days at the company, because my work was consistently praised, promoted by bosses along the way, and I was young, I developed an arrogant, supercilious, and overconfident attitude. It wasn't until I tasted failure for the first time that I realized no one is invincible. Everyone has blind spots and needs others to compensate for their shortcomings. So remember: have confidence and perseverance, but don't forget humility, and don't be carried away by achievements.
- A blogger friend commented: "How to persist in being yourself without being disturbed by the people and things around you?" In fact, I only insist on not doing things that go against my conscience. Sometimes, with experience, we find that besides conscience, other things we insist on, including our long-held principles and beliefs, may not always be right. Humans are social animals; if you are too persistent, uncompromising, not learning to be tactful, and not knowing how to integrate, life will be very hard.
- I remember the first time I went on a business trip, my boss told me some principles about expense reimbursement and reasonable expenses. What impressed me was his sentence: "How to judge whether an expense is reasonable? You can think, if it were your own or your own company's money, would you spend it under normal circumstances?" The reimbursement form can reveal a person's character. Never ruin your future or reputation for petty gains on reimbursements.
- A boss once gave me a piece of advice: "Persist in doing the more difficult but right thing, rather than the easier but wrong thing. Choose the more difficult right than the easier wrong." When facing problems, there are often solutions that are more convenient but do not conform to company principles or fall into a gray area in terms of ethics. Once it violates principles or morality, don't consider it.
- In middle school geometry, we learned that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. At work, colleagues should also try to shorten the distance between each other. With advanced technology and the rise of email, if you rely too much on it, it can gradually form an invisible wall between colleagues. If you can discuss something by walking a few steps, turning around, or making a phone call, try not to use email and miss the opportunity to get closer to your colleagues.
- In large companies, besides doing your work well, you also need to spend some effort making sure the right people know what you have done well. Eastern culture generally encourages humility and not showing off. Many people bury themselves in work and create good results, but they are not good at marketing their achievements internally and to senior management at the right time. This is not showing off. Showing off is when you have no merit or achievements but still like to boast.
- I often remind myself: You are as good as your last project. In fact, companies generally don't just look at your most recent project's results; they also look at the "merit" you have accumulated in the past. But this more extreme reminder makes me more proactive in doing my current projects to the best of my ability. There is a good saying: "Doing the work in front of you well is the best way to prepare for the next job."
- I once read a book. The author asked a question: "Fifteen years from now, can you say you have fifteen years of experience; or can you only say you have one year of experience repeated fifteen times?" The former means you are constantly pursuing progress and improving yourself. The latter means you are just standing still. Even if your position and job content haven't changed, you should always challenge yourself to make your abilities and performance better year by year.
- There is a Western saying: Anything that can go wrong will go wrong. This is called "Murphy's Law." At work, you must never become a prisoner of this law. Instead, try to think more comprehensively and thoroughly. When you are responsible for a project, although the goal is for everything to go smoothly as planned, you still need to spend some time thinking about what aspects might go wrong and prepare a Plan B.
- How to handle the endless emails at work more effectively? Try to touch each email only once. Many people, when they see emails in their inbox, rush to open each one. After reading, they don't reply to each one in real-time. The ones that are shelved count as at least two touches. It's best to first look at the subject lines of emails in your inbox. If you don't plan to reply in real-time, don't open them first. For those you have opened, handle them immediately and don't go back.
- After relaxing on the weekend, returning to the company on Monday is like restarting a computer after shutdown; it takes a little time to start up. So I usually spend 20-30 minutes on Sunday evening to start pulling my heart back, clarifying the plan for the next week, and preparing for the new week. If I have an appointment on Sunday evening and can't prepare, then I get up a little earlier on Monday. This way, I quickly get into the swing of things when I arrive at the office.
- How to find time in a busy schedule to efficiently manage your personal Weibo? Based on nearly two years of experience, I have several personal insights and suggestions: 1. Follow the tags you have set; 2. There is something called archiving; 3. Quality over quantity, only share something nutritious; 4. Post at fixed times. This week, I will share more in-depth on each suggestion every day.
- Blog friends often ask me: "Why are you 'again' on vacation?" Actually, it's an illusion. I pay great attention to planning. Vacations are almost always within the company-approved annual leave days. Every New Year, I first note down the public holidays, weekends, and known business trips for the year. Then I arrange my vacations based on these dates. Rest, like work, needs planning. Taking breaks and vacations allows people to go further, and traveling on vacation broadens one's horizons.
- A senior once said: "Working in a large multinational company, written communication skills, especially in English, must be practiced well to achieve work-life balance." What was his logic? For a larger company, written communication is the most effective way. If you are not strong in this area, what might take an hour to write well could take you three days and nights. In that case, wouldn't your personal time be sacrificed?
- After each meeting you are responsible for, whether internal or external, try to write a meeting summary on the same day, recording the key points and decisions discussed, and send it to all participants to see if they have any objections. If participants have no issues, it officially becomes the meeting minutes. Absolutely do not delay until the next day or a few days later. Human memory is not the most reliable thing. Written records are more reliable.
- To write something clearly, you must first think it through clearly. Words are just tools for expressing thoughts. No matter how good the grammar or appropriate the wording, it cannot hide weak thinking. After thinking clearly and writing it down, writing can then become a good method to test the clarity of your thinking. Many times, we think we have thought something through in our heads. But after writing it on paper, we find there are still some loopholes.
- In the company, we often need to write research or analysis reports. Novices sometimes confuse the conclusions, findings, and indicated actions in the report. I often use a simple example to illustrate the difference: Finding: It is cloudy outside. Conclusion: It might rain today. Recommendation: You'd better bring an umbrella when going out.
- Every day, we face limited resources to complete important tasks: limited manpower, limited budget, limited time. People with proactive leadership should clearly make choices for themselves or their teams. Ask yourself: "If my team could only do three things well this quarter, what would they be?" More importantly: figure out what things you absolutely will not do, and accept the consequences of not doing them.
- When you have just finished writing an important report with great enthusiasm, it's best not to submit it immediately. Put it aside for a while, even if it's just an hour, preferably overnight; give yourself a chance to "step back," and then review it with "fresh" eyes and mind. Because when we are too invested in writing, we often fall into the situation of "seeing only the trees, not the forest." Stepping back will make you review what you have written more objectively.
- When writing important documents in the company, especially those involving numbers, make sure there are no errors before submitting. A missing zero or an extra zero can make a big difference and can lead the company to make wrong decisions. I once had a new employee who was careless. The documents he submitted had errors in numbers, grammar, and spelling every time. In the end, I reviewed his documents with a fault-finding mindset. When the boss reaches this point, the subordinate's days are certainly not easy.
- After completing each project, spend some time writing a summary report, recording what you have learned. What was done well should be retained next time; what was not done well should be improved next time. Writing down what you have learned helps you remember it more firmly. On your career path, every experience is an opportunity to increase your value. Don't underestimate what you learn each time; these accumulated lessons can make you a better person.
- After the Wenchuan and Yushu disaster relief efforts, my team and I carefully did a project summary afterwards, promptly recording what we learned (including what was done well and what needed improvement). So two weeks ago, when colleagues and I planned P&G's participation in the Ya'an earthquake rescue, recovery, and reconstruction work, the whole process was smoother and faster than before. It is recommended that after every project, you must invest some time in summarizing. What you learn will definitely be useful in the future.
- At the year-end review, look at the goals set this year, how many were achieved, and what was learned. For those not achieved, understand the reasons, then see whether you need to adjust goals or plans, and go all out to complete them. More importantly, look forward, set new goals and plans for the new year, and prepare to reach a higher level next year.
- Microsoft [Weibo] gave us PowerPoint, and also gave us Word. But I find that many young people are very good at using PPT for reports or storytelling, but they neglect how to use one page to achieve the same purpose. PPT is suitable for face-to-face briefings, but when you decide to use email to report on a project to your leader, challenge yourself to explain things clearly within one page. This way, the report is more likely to be read.
- In the company, most projects require the cooperation of colleagues from different departments to complete successfully. If you are the project leader, after completing a project, especially when there are good results, don't forget to thank everyone who contributed. Absolutely don't take all the credit for yourself. Remember to share the credit. This encourages all participants to continue supporting you in future collaborations.
- Punctuality is a virtue. It is a sign of respect for others. I have always insisted that I would rather wait for others than have others wait for me. So I manage my time very strictly. For new employees, before accumulating any achievements or merits, unless there are special reasons, they have no right to be late. Punctuality is basic discipline. If new employees have a habit of being late, it is definitely a deduction in the boss's eyes.
- Technology allows people who have never met, even in different corners of the world, to complete a project together. Technology may also reduce the human touch between people. So whenever you have the opportunity to meet partners face-to-face, seize it, even if it's just to say "hello." Humans are emotional beings. When he can connect a name with a face, even if it's just a one-time meeting, it's a plus for future cooperation.
- In our careers, we will have many people we work with. Some people, we may even cooperate with multiple times. So we should "accumulate virtue" along the way, using each cooperation to strengthen mutual trust and relationships. If there are unpleasant experiences or grudges during cooperation, try to resolve them. Because today's partners may still be partners in the future. Avoid burning bridges or leaving dead bodies along the way.
- I once asked a public speaking trainer how to truly move people and make a speech memorable. He said: "Put aside techniques, what's more important is to tell your story with your heart. If you speak from the heart, you will hardly go wrong." So every time I give a major speech, I almost always start with a personal story or experience related to the topic to draw the audience into the theme.
- Worried about running over time in a speech with PPT, a boss taught a very reliable method: after setting the outline, set the number of slides based on the speech time limit, and use the number of slides to control the content of the speech. Generally, plan one slide per minute. So for a 20-minute speech, the PPT should ideally not exceed 20 slides. If the content is more complex or includes videos, the number of slides should be fewer. Using this trick, I no longer run over time.
- I once attended a training called Breakthrough in the UK. One of the key points of the course: "For a person or organization to succeed, they must intentionally pursue and complete what has been decided. Do not have any uncertainty. Be intentional. Avoid uncertainty."
- There is a mindset called "half-glass water mindset." With the same half glass of water, some people complain because they see the missing half; others are excited because they see the half they have. At work, you can also use the same mindset. For example, when facing problems, besides focusing on solving the problem and the plan for the crisis, you can also see whether it creates new opportunities and other possibilities, turning the crisis into new business opportunities.
- The company once sent me to attend Carnegie interpersonal relations training. One of the basic principles of the course is to remember people's names. Try to remember the names of people you meet and the characteristics you observe in them. Next time you have the opportunity to meet again, address them by name. Under normal circumstances, when people hear their own name, it's like hearing music, and their mood improves. Remember more people's names to strengthen interpersonal relationships.
- At work, there will inevitably be some unpleasant things. When you encounter unhappy things, don't bottle them up; find a vent. So besides family and original friends, it's best to find a colleague in the company who understands the company, has no conflict of interest with you, and is trustworthy. When you are depressed, they can listen and cheer you up. When you are lost, they can light a lamp for you. When you succeed, they can cheer for you.
- When you have thoughts of resigning, consider several questions: Is your current job related to your long-term life goals? If you like the company but not the job content, is there another job within the company that you aspire to? Is it because of your boss that you want to leave? Can you fully utilize your abilities and interests at present? Are you resigning purely for money and position? Can you see future development? If the answers are all "yes," maybe it's not time to resign.
- How do I evaluate whether the work I am doing is what I love most: generally, whether I have the motivation to go to work after getting up; whether I can imagine being on the same path decades later; whether the challenges at work can fully utilize my talents and interests; whether I would not change careers for more money; whether work gives me happiness, achievement, and pride; whether I am genuinely invested. If the answers are all yes, maybe you have found it.
- Do you sometimes have moments when inspiration becomes "zero inspiration"; racking your brains but can't come up with new ideas, can't jump out of old paradigms? If I encounter this, I will temporarily stop and detach from the work at hand. Maybe both body and mind are exhausted. Forcing yourself is useless. Take a break, sleep, chat with colleagues, do other things first, or let your vision receive new stimuli; these can help the creative juices flow again.
- Life's journey always has rough patches. You will also encounter dead ends. I have experienced many challenges and setbacks along the way. Besides my own efforts and perseverance, my persistence in dreams, and the help of many benefactors, there is another important thing: faith. For me, it's religion. But it doesn't have to be religion. It could be a belief. It gave me spiritual and emotional sustenance and an extra dose of strength to persevere.
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