On Tuesday, I celebrated my ten-year anniversary at work (that’s weird). It feels like a big milestone.
As many of you know, I currently work at Faith Family Church as a content coordinator, but it took me several positions (in multiple departments) before finding a sweet spot. As I wrote about here, I had many career paths—and none at all—laid out in my head after high school.
Philosophically, I believe in the dignity of work. Theologically, I believe any work that organizes creation is inherently valuable—farming, food service, STEM, waste collection. Not everyone is as lucky as I’ve been to hold jobs they truly enjoy. That said, for the younger Tim’s out there trying to piece it together, here are ten things I can tell you about starting a career.
1. No one figures it out at 18.
Well, most don’t.
I can’t tell you how many TikToks I’ve seen lately of someone who graduated from college, landed the dream job in their field, and realized six months in that they hate it.
We think of jobs in terms of industry and image. Once you get in, though, you realize what actually makes up the job—the responsibilities, the schedule, the unique stresses of showing up to work in that field. It’s never just the picture in your head.
I can’t tell you the exact ratio you should maintain of certainty to doubt before moving in a direction. Is it 90/10, 65/35?
The thing I can say is that if you get caught in the future like me, focus on the next step—what makes the most sense on a few years’ scale. As you take one step, you’ll learn what you need to know for the next. (Again, I expand on this idea here.)
2. Notice your themes.
My responsibilities over the years have been seemingly disparate. If I think closely, though, common themes and patterns usually emerge. I like walking into a new department or initiative and building it from scratch. I like helping people see things in new ways. And I occasionally like small, repetitive tasks where my perfectionism can run loose.
You have these themes, too. Do you like working in the kitchen or behind the register? With people—young, old, or peers? Why? Don’t get too caught up in what’s way out there. Ask these questions of your current experience with work or school.
These patterns emerge with experience and experimentation, but it’s your job to notice them. The more you interrogate these seemingly trivial lines of questioning, the better you can articulate what it is you’re looking for.
3. Use the book jacket test.
I’ve been speaking as if you have some time to waste—because you do. Life won’t pass you by at 22. At some point, though, you’ll find some big decisions in front of you. That’s when I use the book jacket test.
On the inside of every book, it lists the authors bio: their name, job, degrees, and city. When I’m making a big decision, I ask myself, “Would I want this on my book jacket?” With this gut check, I’ve caught myself pursuing jobs and paying for degrees that I didn’t actually want. It looks good on the website when they’re selling it to you, but is it really you?
The book jacket test is this: If I wouldn’t proudly display it, maybe it’s not worth sacrificing for.
4. Follow the one-hour rule.
Start your most important task within an hour of waking up (or in work terms, an hour of clocking in). If you’re a procrastinator like me, this is a game changer.
I learned this from Jerry Salz’s book How to Be an Artist. He tells artists that if they don’t start making art within 60 minutes of waking up, they’ll keep putting it off all day (and the pattern continues). I’ve been there.
It may not be making art, but whatever it is that you always seem to push off, start it first thing.
5. Put your time in boxes.
I’ve always been willing to work hard on things I’m passionate about, but my approach was pretty blunt: Show up in the morning and work until the work is done.
Maybe you’re the same way. It’s time to clock out, but you realize you need a few more hours to get the job done.
The show-up-and-work method works until it doesn’t. I’d eventually miss a major deadline or collide head-on with my poor planning.
This book helped me massively with calendar blocking and creating an organizational framework for my time. I recommend it whenever I can. With a loose plan, I get my best work done without stressing around the clock. (I do still enjoy the occasional late-night marathon session, though.)
6. Use your head and your hands.
Confession: When I listen to Glen Campbell or see a dead streetlamp, I think “That should be my job.” All of my work, schooling, reading, and writing is heavily informational, and my escape fantasy is to leave it all and work with my hands.
Let’s be honest, though. As soon as I start working with my hands, I’ll be dreaming about head-work again. That’s why hobbies are important. I work with my head, so my pastimes are physical and skill-based.
Maybe you’re the opposite. My friends who work outside are the most avid readers. However you work on the job—head or hands—temper it with a hobby on the other end of the spectrum. You’ll stay a lot saner.
7. You don’t have to be in charge.
A coworker of mine shared that in every job he’s worked, he’s gets offered a position in management (he turns them down). He’s excellent at what he does, and his positive attitude naturally draws attention. But there’s more to leading others than doing a good job.
When you work a job, you show up to the meeting on time. (If you don’t, you won’t work a job.) When you’re the boss, you show up to the meeting early, having prepped notes and planned an agenda the night before. It’s about more than getting your way; it’s work.
Take it from me. I’ve demoted myself twice for jobs that fit my skillset better, and I’d do it again if it meant the right fit. Like my coworker, recognize that being happy about work is about more than being in charge.
8. Study wide.
In my first position as a creative director in our kids department, I studied deep. I read every blog, followed every twitter account, and knew exactly what my peers in the field were doing. As soon as I wrapped my head around it, though, the pendulum swung. What had been in went out of style, and those I looked to as experts were as lost as I was on what was next.
I still study deep, but I’ve also learned to study wide. Cross-disciplinary learning will served you more reliably than getting swept up in the trends of your community.
This will make little sense to some, but some of the best insight I ever gained on leadership came from studying paintings. Seeing the artists approach their work opened my mind to new ways of tackling mine.
What interests you in business, in science, in art? Let your learning follow these interests and see if the knowledge won’t cross-pollinate to your role.
9. Stop being surprised.
I may be telling on myself with this one, but I notice this pattern with others, so I’m willing to expose myself for the greater good.
In church world, weekend services are the main event. In my earliest days, I’d show up Saturday at 4:15pm—exactly the latest I could plan to arrive and get prepped. The problem was that it never went as planned. I’d inevitably end up in a frenzied rush before the weekend even started.
It took me way too long to recognize the issue. I was operating around a best-case scenario that continually fell through. When I finally stopped being surprised by the occurrence happening every week, I was able to show up a few minutes early and not ruin my weekend.
Speaking of hurry…
10. Don’t be too rushed for people.
When you’re constantly running with no margin, not only are you fighting against the clock to finish your tasks, you’re praying under your breath that no one gets in your way. (I’m telling on myself again.)
I’m a procrastinator and a bit of a recluse. In the same way I’ve learned to plan for disruptions, I’ve learned to anticipate the best kind of interruptions—the people around me.
It’s cliché, but it’s true: The relationships you build are the most valuable part of any endeavor. When you’re in it, your focus is on accomplishing, but when it’s time for you (or someone else) to move on, the relationships are what you will miss.
Maybe you fundamentally disagree. Even if you take it selfishly, though, this is good advice. If you wait for people to stay out of your path, you’ll be waiting for a long time.
You might as well embrace (and enjoy) people as pleasant inefficiencies. Take it from an old guy like me.