5 Professional and Personal Reflections and Learnings from 2019

2019 was action-packed to say the least! It started with traveling to 9 countries in the first three months talking about Microsoft Teams to our technical audiences. Next, came a job change, where I took on an inbound marketing role where I work with engineering to help influence the product roadmap. Lastly, ending the year on a high note, presenting in front of large audiences at our biggest conference, Microsoft Ignite. The year is now winding down, and I’ve taken some time to reflect upon 2019 – definitely a big year of growth for me, both personally and professionally. 

Here are 5 learnings I’d like to share -- all are centered around how to get myself through the roller coaster ride of work and life. 

1. Assume positive intent. When I started my new job, my manager went through his principles on how he leads his team. Assuming positive intent was #1. Work (and life) can get messy. Assuming positive intent got me through many moments where there was a disagreement or where very direct feedback was given. Assuming everyone is trying to do what’s best for the current situation grounds me and brings things into perspective. Listening and engaging with openness will help you find a resolution. Of course, this can be applied to your personal life: whether that is a partner or loved one giving you feedback.. assume they are trying to help you be a better person (because that is most likely WHY they are telling you 😊)
2. Find work-life balance/harmony. I struggle with this one the most... I don’t know how to say “no.” I take on everything and think it’s an act of incompetence if I can’t do it all. This year, I learned that… we are all human and can’t do it all. AND that it’s OK. Prioritization and delegation is important. I will pick my battles and decide when it’s ok to say “no.” I want to be successful in my career, but I also want to have a life outside of work. It’s making those commitments where I will be present when with my loved ones or leave the office to go to the gym. Be clear with what you want and set expectations (both at work and at home). Having the right boundaries in place will help you and whoever is involved navigate the situations you are in.
3. Say thank you and celebrate your and others’ success. We often work really hard, complete a project and move on to the next thing. After every project I do, I make sure to say “thank you” to everyone. Gratitude goes a long way. People feel appreciated and it creates a solid partnership. Celebrate a milestone or project completion – whether that’s a happy hour, a coffee, or an email to senior management. It’s also important to celebrate others’ success. I am constantly blown away by the work my colleagues do. And instead of keeping it to myself, I post in our team’s group chat to celebrate. In my personal life, I try to thank everyone for their support and what they have done to help me become who I am today. Don’t take them for granted.
4. You can’t control everything. For me, not having control often means feeling stressed or anxious. Stressful things will happen through your life. How you handle them is what can change the situation. There are many ways to do this. Meditating and journaling are two methods that have helped me. Find what works best for you. I believe that all things happen for a reason. Although it may be hard to see in the short-term when something doesn’t go as intended, I tell myself that there is a reason it has happened this way. 
5. We all make mistakes. Learn from them. When I make a mistake, I sulk about how stupid I am for letting this happen. This year I have learned (or at least started to learn) that we are human, and we make mistakes. Many mistakes. Just like stress and anxiety, it’s how you handle them and deal with them that makes the difference. Understanding why the mistake happened, along with how it happened and taking learnings for next time is important. Although I am a perfectionist, nothing can be perfect. Partners, friends, family, and managers need to allow you to make mistakes. It’s one of the hardest yet greatest ways to learn. 

* Set goals. I know I said 5… but this last learning is a bonus 😊 2020 will be here before you know. It’s hard to work towards something if you don’t have a goal. I have not been someone who typically writes goals down, but this next year will be different. Think of one professional and one personal goal. I’ll share mine here: Professionally, I want to continue to learn how to prioritize my work and take on big projects. Personally, I want to have a work-life balance that accommodates my hobbies, friends, family, and loved ones.

In summary, I really thought I was getting the hang of “working” and “real-life” this year… but 2019 definitely brought on some curveballs that opened my eyes. There is always room to grow and I’m truly excited to see where this next year takes me. Bring it on 2020.