Career Corner: An Update

It’s been awhile (I feel like I say this every single time) since I did a career update. It has been SEVEN months since I started at Google. Time flew by and at the same time I think about my life in Texas and it feels like it happened decades ago.

Where do I start? Short answer, I’m thriving. I love this job. I love this company. I love this team.

I have always thought that I would have to choose between loving my job and loving where I work and at Google, I don’t have to make that choice.

I’m going to caveat that no, things are not perfect rainbows and unicorns 24/7, but that’s not a realistic expectation to have in life; in any capacity.

Things are really shiny and sparkly though and I have all the boxes checked when it comes to what matters to me in a career.

Growth

Growth is really important here. There are endless opportunities to learn both online, out in practice, and from your fellow Googlers. And it’s all valuable. Every avenue for learning is beneficial to me on a personal and professional level. I have avenues to grow into within this company and those possibilities are endless.

Respect

I am respected. And at any point if I am not, it is addressed immediately and thoroughly. My supervisor has repeatedly had to remind me that I am not in my past roles and she does not tolerate abusive behavior from anyone - within Google or from outside visitors.

Challenge

I am challenged every single day. Truly, I learn about a billion new things each day and there is still so much more I have not learned. There’s no possibility of “I’ve learned it all” here. And the talent pool is so stacked that I’m forced to keep up if I want to stay relevant.

Time

My time is respected. I have a social life. I control my schedule and I’m allowed to say that I’m overwhelmed or burnt out and need support. This has vastly improved who I am as a human being. I’m finding that a lot of my cranky behavior in the past was due to being so miserable and unhealthy in the workplace. I don’t have that here

The bottom line is I’m so happy. I’m so thankful and I’m so encouraged by what I’ve found at this point in my journey. And I hope it encourages you to never settle for anything less than everything. It’s out there. And it’s worth the fight.

Management.

Because I've been on the search for the best fit for me - I've spent a lot of time working for a lot of different managers.  I've seen the  best, the worst, and the apathetic.  I've been a manager as well.  And I like to think I'm a pretty good one.  In order to become better, I try to take the pieces of each boss that I love and embody them - and to take the pieces I hate, and never be them.

So what makes a good manager?

A Can Do Attitude

I've got a rule.  I'll never ask my staff to do anything I haven't done or been willing to do myself.  A boss should be willing to put in the work.  I  don't respect a superior who's not willing to roll up their sleeves and get the job done.

Reasonable

I need a supervisor to be reasonable.  From standards and expectations to the hours I keep, I need you to be realistic.  There is a difference between high standards and pushing too much.  There is a highly defined line between working hard and working too much.

Aware

A boss should be aware of what's going on within the team at all times.  Too many supervisors are quick to notice the mistakes and don't celebrate the successes or even have a clue what's going on within their team.  It shouldn't be a surprise to you when you have a bunch of staff quit.  It shouldn't b few and far between that you're thankful for the work your team does.

Accountable

The boss should hold more responsibility and accountability than anyone.  If your team is consistently making mistakes, it's  on you to find out why and how to fix it.  At the end of the day, the results are on you.  Additionally, if you're the boss and yet you don't put in the work, hold yourself to different standards for vacation/sick/hours - you're not respectable.  You're in charge but you're not above the rules.

Teamwork

I have a client who constantly corrects me when I say work for you.  He insists on saying work with.  And he's my favorite client.  He values me as a human being above all else and understands what being a team stands for.  He knows that the successes and failures are part of the team's effort.  He's willing to put in the time to make us successful and he's not afraid to push us harder.  He doesn't make it a me vs you situation because if I lose, he loses.

There are of course, a lot of other qualities that make a manager great, but to me, these are the basics.  Finding a good boss is hard.  Being a boss is hard.  Making an effort to be a good one and work for a good one is critical.  We spend so freaking much time working, find somewhere and someone you enjoy working for and with.

Career Corner: Episode 3482, Work Stress

I have decided to call my career/business related posts: Career Corner!  I will most likely forget I have decided this by the time I write the next blog, but for today, career corner it is!

On today's episode of career corner, we talk about work stress.  I don't care what your career is, how much you love your company/boss/job - there will always be work stress and it will always feel like the most unbearable thing that ever existed.  

Some careers and industries are more stressful than others and some people handle stress better than others, but the common denominator is that we will all go through it.

So how do you manage work stress?  As someone who works in one of the top 5 most stressful industries in the world, I like to think I am partially qualified to speak on this all too common topic.  

Take a Breath

When work stress hits the first thing you need to do is take a breath and step outside the situation.  Take 30 seconds to take a breath, digest, and gain perspective.  If you don't take a moment to pull back from the situation - the stress just builds and you're not able to get an overview of what's happening.  That's how you lose your shit and get fired.

Problem Solve

When you've taken your breath and inventory of the cause of the stress, start problem solving.  I tell my staff to never be afraid to bring me stressful situations but do make sure you've come up with a few solutions before you bring me the problem.  When you have even one potential solution, you're able to calm your nerves and see that nothing is impossible.

Reflect

Why is this stress happening?  Did you cause the stress?  Is the stress warranted?  Did someone else cause the stress?  Figuring out where it came from and why (or if its even necessary stress) is how you can potentially prevent future stress as well as manage it moving forward.

In the moment - these three steps will help you to effectively and professionally manage a really stressful situation.  But how do you manage everyday stress and set yourself up for future incidents?

Find a Distraction

Take a walk.  Grab coffee.  Call a friend.  Whatever you're able to do that gives you immediate joy, do it.  Make sure you're setting up your workspace to maximize your center.  Eat healthy.  Drink your water.  Bring photos that make you smile.  Surround yourself with distractions that lift you up and keep you in a generally good head space.  

Communicate

If you're in a situation where others are the cause of your stress, communicate with them.  Often times, people aren't aware of their actions and having a respectful conversation with the right people can develop relationships that promote teamwork and teach others how to properly do their part to make work life less stressful.

Step Away from Work

Leave work at work.  I know, I'm terrible at this.  But bein able to shut off work when you leave will hugely affect your headspace.  Don't read emails.  Turn off the work cell.  Go to the gym.  Cook meals.  Enjoy time with your friends and family.  Do the things that enrich who you are outside of the 9-5 and you will make a huge difference in who you are at work.  Do not let your work stress consume your entire world.

Be Self Aware

Are you the cause of your work stress?  Are you making things stressful that don't need to be?  Are you perhaps in an industry that really isn't the best fit for you?  Do a self check in and determine if you can do anything to mitigate work stress.  Sometimes we create stress for ourselves that simply doesn't exist.  And sometimes we work in jobs that aren't the right fit.  Take responsibility and do the work to help ease the stress in your professional life.

 I wish I could tell you that I've been able to completely manage my work stress, overcome, and lead some Zen work life - but I'm human.  I have days that I am completely overwhelmed, threaten to leave, and consider moving to Europe.  I quickly remember that I am not a billionaire, need to pay bills to give my dog a better life, utilize the tools in my arsenal, and reset my mind to fight back against the stress.