What Not To Do

I'm a young and comparatively inexperienced professional. What does that mean? It means I am out in the area of the field in which I think I want to have a career.

Translation: I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.

So I'm playing the field a little bit. Learning a bit of accounting and HR here. Volunteering for a bit of development there. Dabbling in writing all-around.

But I still don't know anything other than what I really want to pursue is my passion. I have no clue what that passion is yet, so I keep the faith that, if I keep trying new things, me and my dream cause will just happen to cross paths one day.

However, in the "good opportunity" that my job is and the weirdness that my coworkers are, I'm getting a good education at what I DON'T want to be or do when I grow up.

1. Don't settle. Settling leads to bitterness. No one likes bitter, unless it's a beer.

2. Don't share TMI. No one, NO ONE needs to know about every detail about your personal life, sex life, family issues, intimate health details and the like. If someone asks, they are probably being polite. If someone probes, they may be interested and/or digging up dirt on you.

3. Don't place all your self-worth on your job. It's a job. You get paid to do it. If you like doing it, it's your passion and you are good at it, congratulations; you have found a career. If it's not any of those things yet it is just. a. job. Get over it.

4. Don't wear out your welcome. There's only so much a person can give and take in a certain position. If you aren't giving (improving the position/organization) and you aren't taking (learning as many skills and building a network) you are stagnant. Read the job-hunting books and blogs and go.

5. Don't ignore your co-workers. They may want to share TMI and you may not want to hear it, but find an acceptable way to bow out of the conversation and take away only the pertinent information. Or they may be asking for help or guidance on a certain project and need a idea, sounding board or editor. Don't leave them hanging, as they may return the favor in the future.

There are many more "to dos" and "not to dos" out there, and if you find your job has more of one list than the other it may be time to reevaluate your position. Right now I'm still feeling my lists out, so we'll see if this lists gets any longer.

Back to the grind.