Parenting Cliches About Your Career That Are Actually True - The Muse

Parenting Cliches About Your Career That Are Actually True - The MuseParenting Cliches About Your Career That Are Actually True Alright, so maybe eating a bunch of carrots didnt keep you from needing glasses, and no, you never actually went blind from sitting too close to the TV. But, that doesnt mean that all of the advice your parents gave you is completely bogus.In fact, your folks probably dished out their fair share of clichs and proverbs that are actually pretty applicable to your career and professional life now. Of course, you probably rolled your eyes and sighed dramatically at the time and were all, You dont get it, you still call Twitter, Tweeter. But, its never too late to put that advice to work. Here are five sentiments from dear old Mom and Dad that are more applicable than you ever believed they would be. And dont worry- you dont need to tell them that they were right. 1. You Catch More Flies With HoneyPreaching kindness must be on the first page of the parent handboo k, as theyre always quick to remind you that thoughtfulness is the way to go. Obviously, there are occasions when you need to be a bit more himmelskrper and direct in the workplace- like when your intern comes in late for the umpteenth time. But, in general, you cant go wrong with being polite. Its human nature, really. When people are kind to us, we feel inclined to be kind to them. Plus, being more friendly and upbeat in your office not only impresses your team and does wonders when it comes to fostering better work relationships, but its also likely to improve your attitude toward your daily work. So, bring in bagels and donuts every now and then, compliment your co-worker on a job well done, or perform a completely random act of kindness. Youll be surprised how much your entire work environment- and mindplatzdeckchen- will change by just being nicer.2. Never Burn Your BridgesWe all know the far too catchy Disney song, Its a Small World After All. Annoying as it may be- and I do apologize that its now stuck in your head- the sentiment definitely holds water. Lets face it the business world is actually pretty darn small- especially if youre in a more niche industry. So, you always need to be mindful of maintaining positive relationships with co-workers, supervisors, and peers. Keeping this advice in mind is especially critical when resigning from a position (yes, even if its one you hated). Its important to turn in your notice in a way thats respectful and professional, regardless of how much you want to throw both middle fingers in your anfhrer face. After all, you never quite know who your boss is connected with, which former co-workers youll encounter in the future, or wholl get called for a back-channel reference.3. Its Not Always About What You Know, But WhoOh, the undeniable power of connections. Does this scenario sound familiar? Youre being considered for a job you know youd be amazing at, and youre confident you completely nailed the interview. A fe w days later, you receive the dreaded thanks, but no thanks email, letting you know that the companys moved forward with a different candidate- and then, just when youre moving on from the rejection, you discover the boss neighbors cousins daughter landed your dream job.Chances are, that rude awakening was soon followed by this little pep talk from one of your parents. Unfortunately, its true. The most qualified person isnt always the one who gets the job.So, how can you apply this to your professional life today? Continue building your network- work on it every single week. Join industry associations and attend local networking events. Set up informational interviews with companies you love and people you admire. Putting yourself out there can be scary (and even feel unnecessary when you like your current position), but assembling a powerful set of contacts will give you a leg up on the competition when you need it. 4. Rome Wasnt Built in a DayWe all know that your first job likely isnt going to be your dream job. (Or even your first few.) No, it takes your fair share of grunt work before you even get close to where you want to be in your career. But, theres nothing wrong with working your way up the ladder.It can be frustrating to feel like youre going nowhere in your position and youre not directly contributing to the bottom line- especially when you know youre capable of doing much more important work. But, as your parents loved to remind you, progress takes time. Its not an overnight transformation. Plus, theres an upside Youre immediately likable if youre the one who brings the coffee. At the very least, youve got that going for you.5. Actions Speak Louder Than WordsNot only was this bewertung likely printed on a poster hanging in your kindergarten classroom, but you probably heard it plenty from your parents, too. Well, Mom and Dad were right- again. Saying something and actually doing it are two completely different things. Anybody can state on his or her resume or in the interview that he or shes a skilled team builder or a Photoshop expert. But, the proof is in the pudding, and youre going to need to be able to put your money where your mouth is. (Like that? I squeezed two bonus parentisms in here for you)The same applies to office relationships and conflicts. Its easy to apologize to your boss or a co-worker for a mistake you made. If you continue to repeatedly make that mistake again and again? Now youve got problems. Follow up everything you say at work with a real, live corresponding action. Dont have time? Then dont tell someone otherwise- its as simple as that. Sure, your parents probably didnt actually trudge three miles to school, uphill both ways, barefoot in a snowstorm. But, once you move past the exaggerated stories and eyeroll-worthy parentisms, youll likely see that they actually know what theyre talking about. After all, you might as well take the advice from someone whos been through it all before.Photo of fathe r and son courtesy of Shutterstock.