Lessons From Mobile Matters: Having a Healthy Relationship With Your Career
by Lilly Thuma | Last Updated: Aug 28, 2020
Balancing your career and life is a challenge. I don’t think there is anyone out there who would disagree with that statement. It is especially hard in the society we live in, where everyone puts so much pressure on being successful and surpassing your goals. But here’s some advice: your success does not define you as a person. Yes, being successful is great, but it is not everything. And it is possible to be successful and meet your career goals without completely sacrificing your personal life. Ryan Bonnici, CMO at G2 , is a huge mental health advocate and offered a ton of advice about how to have a healthy relationship with your career on the Mobile Matters podcast. He talks about how to move up in your career, while still taking care of your mental health.
Always Be Open to Opportunity
When you are settled into your job, it can be easy to block out recruiters. Many people think, “I already have a job, why would I talk to them?”, but that is the wrong mindset to have! Not every conversation with a recruiter needs to lead to a job change, but you never know which one could lead you to your dream job. That is how Ryan got to be a CMO by age 30. He was always open to new opportunities and had conversations with recruiters rather than becoming too comfortable in his career. He even encourages his team to do the same thing.
“It’s Not Just You”
I don’t know about you, but the phrase “it’s not just you” is one of the most comforting things to hear. We have all been in situations where you think you are the only one feeling a certain way, and then to find out others are in your same boat is the biggest sigh of relief. Well, I have some good news. Most of the things you feel as a marketer, other marketers feel too. One of the biggest hurdles that many marketers have to overcome is imposter syndrome. That feeling you don’t belong in your position, you aren’t experienced enough to be there, or you aren’t as good as other marketers. This is something every marketer has felt. Ryan shares the best way he has found to overcome is to allow yourself time to get to know your new company and new position. No one will walk into a new role as an expert. Once you feel life you fully understand the company (if this takes multiple months that’s okay!) then it is time to focus on your work and your goals, not other people’s work and other people’s goals. And if imposter syndrome feeling ever starts to creep up, just remind yourself, you’re not the only one that feels this way.
Your Goals Don’t Define You
I need everyone’s attention for this… your goals do not define who you are. Yes, hitting your goals is important, but it isn’t everything. The reality is there will be multiple times in your career when you fail. And that is okay. In fact, some of the biggest lessons of your career will come from failure. So yes, you want to work hard to hit your goals, but you shouldn’t put the entire success of your career on achieving or surpassing every goal you set. That is not realistic, and in the long run will not help you move your career forward.
Inbox Zero Isn’t Realistic and That’s Okay
In the past couple of years, the world has gone through a complete digital transformation, especially in business. These days it is so easy to contact anyone you want, no matter what time of day it is especially with all of the mobile messaging options out there. While technology does make it easier to do business with others, it makes it harder for us to find a work-life balance. We have become obsessed with the idea of achieving “inbox zero”, but for a lot of people inbox zero isn’t possible, and you shouldn't have to work day and night to achieve it. If you don’t get back to someone’s email the same day they sent it- don’t worry! Let’s face it, there are hardly ever marketing emergencies, and most things can wait until tomorrow. So go ahead and turn off your notifications in the evening, Slack, email, chatbots, etc. and take time to yourself.
Following Ryan’s advice will not only help you advance your career, but also help you find balance. Your career is important, but it is equally important to find self-worth in other aspects of your life. Listen to Ryan’s full Mobile Matters episode here, and listen to him talk more about the importance of maintaining your mental health.
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