6 Figure Career Management

Having recently re-looked at Richard Branson’s book “Screw It, Let’s Do It - Lessons In Life,” I have adapted the 9 ‘life lessons’ in the book into the 9 career lessons below:

1. Just Do It
If you have a goal or ambition that you really want to pursue - then just do it. You can tell it’s something that is intrinsically driving you when you keep thinking about it and talking about it.

So set goals for yourself - no matter how big or small. Develop a simple plan (DON’T over-plan), take action consistently and have the faith and belief in your ability to achieve it along with a healthy amount of realism.

Don’t expect results overnight so be persistent.

2. Have Fun
Stay positive and have an upbeat outlook on life.

Do work you enjoy and work with people you enjoy being around. Sounds a little idealistic I know, but positive and fun people are good to work with and good to have on new projects. Fun people get noticed and remembered.

If you get to the stage where you have spent far too many days not enjoying yourself - then it’s time to: a) change your mindset and how you view things or: b) change your job.

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1. “Mark - my boss. I’ve forgotten what he looks like - I never see him. We exchange emails, do conference calls - but it’s all about business. I know we’re busy, but rarely do I get any quality time, feedback or discussion about me or my career. Even when I try raising the subject, it’s always ‘Everything is fine, I have another meeting to get to. We’ll speak soon.’ Cheers Mark.”

2. “Charlotte in HR. What does she do all day? OK, well I do get some help when it comes to hiring & firing my team. And I suppose she is a nice enough person. But do I get any support from her regarding my career? Do I actually trust her sufficiently to even have an open discussion about me? Not a chance.”

3. “My team. They have constant gripes and complaints about their jobs, careers, salary packages etc. Many of these things I have little control over. But I do my bit to give them direction, keep them engaged and motivated. But who is doing that for me? Where is my support? I rarely have the support or tools to do the job, but am expected to just get on with it. Great!”

4. “Charles, the head hunter with his overly posh ‘Lloyd Grossman style’ accent (surely no one speaks like that when they are at home, do they?). He talks about being an advisor and consultant to help me make the right decisions, but I’m never really sure how impartial these guys are. After all, his main focus is earning fees, right? And in the current job market, there is only one person Charles is looking out for - and that’s Charles.”

5. “Sheila - my wife. She’s constantly complaining about me working long hours, not seeing the kids enough and not spending quality time with her. But at the same time she’s happy to just spend, spend, spend like there’s no tomorrow. Doesn’t she realise that there won’t be much of a bonus pot come the end of 2008? She simply doesn’t get it…”

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I get fed up with people talking about “Work-Life balance.”

To me, the term Work-Life Balance infers that ‘work’ is the opposite to ‘Life.’ Which in the literal sense could mean death (!) or something equally negative.

Which really is nonsense.

Our ultimate aim should be to do work that is interesting, fulfilling and meaningful whilst still enabling you to achieve goals and priorities in other parts of your life.

i.e. Work that compliments other parts of your life - instead of competing against them. As soon as you talk about a balance between actvities - the assumption is that they are competing actvities.

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I have today started reading a great new book titled “Why Work Sucks and How To Fix It” by Jody Thomson and Cali Ressler.

It is based around a new working environment implemented by the authors at the Fortune 100 retailer Best Buy.

A culture which helped increase productivity by 35% and reduced voluntary staff turnover by 90%.

What is this new culture? - “ROWE” - Results-Only Work Environment. 

What is a ROWE? Well to quote the authors:

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I frequently meet woman who leave senior roles in the banking sector to start a family and take a career break. They have worked hard to get themselves into a strong financial position and now want to spend the next few years away from the rat race and focus on bringing up a young family and enjoy some well deserved ‘me time.’

The first few months after the birth are great, they love the time with the child (or children) and find it very satisfying. Whilst they miss the people they worked with along with the ‘adult interaction,’ they most definitely don’t miss the commuting, politics and other stresses of corporate life.

Life is good.

But then a year down the line - maybe even 2 years, they start to feel a sense of ‘something missing.’

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In the developed economies of the world, “Time” is now the new currency.  As we get wealthier and more prosperous, the greater importance we place on time as a commodity.

Which is why when it comes to jobs and careers you need to start switching the focus from “what will this role pay?” to “I’m interested in the pay, but how much discretionary time will I get in this role?”

It’s a shift in mindset. A shift that becomes easier the minute you start viewing the money as fuel that provides you with the discretionary time to live your desired lifestyle rather than the end in itself.

Design your ideal lifestyle, cost it and then find the fastest, easiest way to finance this with a career that is in tune with your unique abilities and desired lifestyle.

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Beethoven and Churchill both worked in the morning and took most of their afternoons off. Gandhi spent time staring at the horizon. Nietzsche scribbled notes during frequent walks.

The following article from the productivity blog LifeDev, lists 10 ways in which some of history’s greats got things done – usually by taking more breaks and working less rather than the 12+  hour days many people in financial services tend to work.

Taking breaks, taking time to reflect, eat, nap and meet others kept them focussed. Most of us would do well to use some of their ideas.

Click here to read full article: 10 Ways History’s Finest Kept Their Focus at Work

Below is an extract of an email I sent this week to a friend who works in a sales role within the City of London. She had talked about her plans for the next couple of years which involved working less, starting a family, moving into a new family home whilst pursuing some passions and hobbies away from work.

But the current market conditions are now directly impacting on her earnings potential and so she feels frustrated that all these goals will have to go on hold and be delayed.

My response to this was:-

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From my recent conversations with 6 figure earners within the banking sector, a key theme is appearing.

It goes something like this:-

“The financial markets are all over the place and the pressure to deliver is constant. But I am delivering – and having to work much harder and longer to do so…

…But I tell you what – I better get rewarded and acknowledged for it. If I don’t get that salary increase / bonus / that new role next year then I will be furious. I don’t want to change jobs – but I will if I’m not recognised and rewarded.”

Sound familiar?

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