Elevate Your Career with the Transformative Power of Skill Learning
On my first day at this new job, I settled into my chair and found the MD beside me. Before I could process his presence, he asked me to type his ideas for a project. I immediately shifted to the keyboard, and while typing, I made a random error.
“Your English is worse than a 5th grader’s!” my boss irritably blurted out.
I sighed.
However, in less than three months, his judgment flipped, and he began praising my presentations for their clarity, quality of language, and vivid imagery.
My English was never worse than a 5th grader’s, but my typing was (and still is :)) awful.
In the long run, those harsh words felt like a fleeting judgment, insignificant and inane.
As soon as my work began to speak for itself, my shortcomings became irrelevant, and the finesse and prowess reflected in the presentations I created from start to finish.
The key takeaway is that growth happens despite scorn, and perseverance always pays off.
Identify skill gaps, prioritize learning, and practice consistently to master new abilities.
While I experienced this mid-career, everyone encounters similar moments throughout their professional journey. The key is how we respond.
Focus on what matters. Sometimes, a good response is no response at all, and a studied silence brings sustaining calm and a deeper perspective. So don’t take criticism too personally. Instead, turn inwards, introspect, and continue working on yourself — consistently, unwaveringly, and unflinchingly.
This approach proved worth adopting as my career evolved. I progressed through constant learning and stayed ahead of the curve, ensuring I remained relevant. As my scope expanded, I took on new creative leadership roles, ventured into corporate films, wrote impactful PR profiles, designed reader-engagement activities, and managed ad campaigns for India’s largest media house. I also developed full-fledged websites, honed my skills in brand development, and crafted social media campaigns. Most recently, I edited memoirs (and continue to do so), bringing stories to life.
So, here’s another takeaway for you. As you advance in your career, celebrate achievements without letting success go to your head, and use setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow. True growth lies in embracing new skills, challenging your limits, and staying committed to continuous improvement, regardless of hardships and hurdles.
Before I sign off, I must add:
I’m currently honing my AI skills. It’s the future of the workplace and will impact everyone. So, why not be on the right side of the transformation?
What are you up to? Have you become friends with AI?
If not, stay tuned to find out why you must.
Share your “learning and growing” journey to help others enrich their understanding of the process.
