Hi Gareth. As you know, I am someone who is in the later stages of my career, though you've known me since I was still trying to make a mark as a younger man and looking for 'validation'!
Is there such a thing as a normal life? My experience leads me to believe that one of the greatest dangers lies in comparing yourself to others. Once we realise that we are all on different journeys in life, we can value the benefit of living in an ordinary way.
What I mean is that we all meet amazing people from all walks of life. Some posh. Some not. Some big characters. Some more introverted. Some financially successful and definitely some who are not!
I have come to the view that to forge a career in 2023 can be really hard for those starting out and starting up. Nigh on impossible for some despite working really long hours. Is there a magic ingredient? Probably not. Though I do think enthusiasm and caring about your colleagues / clients is important.
One of our MDs here at Resource says the secret is to "Give a f@ck and don't worry about the salary - that will come". Not bad advice really.
An anecdote: I recall that in 1997 when I was in the catering & hospitality phase of my career with Glamorgan Cricket, I was asked if I would cater for a Christening in Ferndale Leisure Centre on a Summer Sunday. I agreed to because the person asking was a great supporter of the Club.
So come the day, we had finished about 7pm after an early start - knackered but our client was really chuffed. Having packed the van, we began the weary drive back to Sophia Gardens, Glammy's HQ. The sun was till shining, and as we drove back down the valley, I was stunned to see dozens of people with their respective sofas and arm chairs on the pavement outside their terraced homes, drinking their beers and enjoying life to the max. You could see that they were squeezing the juice out of life.
I said to my colleague in the passenger seat "Have you ever seen a bunch of people happier than that?". We both knew the answer. It was life stripped down to its most basic. And those friends and neighbours in the heart of the Rhondda valley knew the value of authentic, honest relationships, regardless of the wealth, or lack of it around them.
A good lesson for me to learn at that time in my life.
Thanks Andrew, I think you're on to something here. So much of this about that validation. There have been too many of those summer evenings spent at a screen rather than sat out enjoying the beer!
Hi Gareth. As you know, I am someone who is in the later stages of my career, though you've known me since I was still trying to make a mark as a younger man and looking for 'validation'!
Is there such a thing as a normal life? My experience leads me to believe that one of the greatest dangers lies in comparing yourself to others. Once we realise that we are all on different journeys in life, we can value the benefit of living in an ordinary way.
What I mean is that we all meet amazing people from all walks of life. Some posh. Some not. Some big characters. Some more introverted. Some financially successful and definitely some who are not!
I have come to the view that to forge a career in 2023 can be really hard for those starting out and starting up. Nigh on impossible for some despite working really long hours. Is there a magic ingredient? Probably not. Though I do think enthusiasm and caring about your colleagues / clients is important.
One of our MDs here at Resource says the secret is to "Give a f@ck and don't worry about the salary - that will come". Not bad advice really.
An anecdote: I recall that in 1997 when I was in the catering & hospitality phase of my career with Glamorgan Cricket, I was asked if I would cater for a Christening in Ferndale Leisure Centre on a Summer Sunday. I agreed to because the person asking was a great supporter of the Club.
So come the day, we had finished about 7pm after an early start - knackered but our client was really chuffed. Having packed the van, we began the weary drive back to Sophia Gardens, Glammy's HQ. The sun was till shining, and as we drove back down the valley, I was stunned to see dozens of people with their respective sofas and arm chairs on the pavement outside their terraced homes, drinking their beers and enjoying life to the max. You could see that they were squeezing the juice out of life.
I said to my colleague in the passenger seat "Have you ever seen a bunch of people happier than that?". We both knew the answer. It was life stripped down to its most basic. And those friends and neighbours in the heart of the Rhondda valley knew the value of authentic, honest relationships, regardless of the wealth, or lack of it around them.
A good lesson for me to learn at that time in my life.
Thanks Andrew, I think you're on to something here. So much of this about that validation. There have been too many of those summer evenings spent at a screen rather than sat out enjoying the beer!