The Art of Intentional Endings: Using Planned Obsolescence as a Life Tool

Posted on May 13, 2026 by memoriesandsuch

Planned obsolescence usually makes us roll our eyes. It’s the reason our phones die mysteriously right after the warranty period ends. It’s why laptops are slow to the pace of a sleepy turtle for no good reason. It’s why appliances that once lasted a decade now last three years if we’re lucky. Companies love the idea. Consumers don’t. And honestly, fair enough. But somewhere along the way, I started wondering if this annoying business tactic had something useful to teach us. Not about products, but about ourselves.

Because if we’re being brutally honest, we cling to outdated versions of our lives far longer than any company ever could. We hold on to relationships that expired quietly years ago. We stay in roles that no longer fit simply because they used to. We keep beliefs and habits like old software: patched, buggy, slow, but still running because we haven’t bothered to upgrade.

So here’s the twist: What if planned obsolescence is actually a brilliant life strategy, just misbranded? What if the same principle companies use to keep products moving forward can help us keep ourselves moving forward? Today’s life requires versions of us that yesterday’s logic can’t always support. Just like tech, we evolve. And yet, unlike tech, we resist updates. It’s time to rethink that.

Let’s pull the idea apart. In business, planned obsolescence is designed to trigger action. Not because the product suddenly collapses, but because a better version exists, or will soon exist. You replace, upgrade, and refresh. But in life, we tend to upgrade only when we break. Burnout. A painful ending. A major life shake. A decision that comes too late. And that’s what makes the concept worth rescuing. What if we didn’t wait for collapse?

What if we practised intentional, thoughtful obsolescence: letting go of what has completed its purpose, even when it’s still working, just not working well? Businesses use planned obsolescence to keep profits flowing. We can use it to keep growth flowing. It’s not manipulation. It’s maturity.

Every phase of our lives comes with a toolkit. The version of you in your twenties needed certain beliefs, behaviours and patterns to survive and make sense of the world. You needed energy, flexibility, endurance, and the ability to say yes to almost everything.

But decades later, when priorities shift and emotional bandwidth tightens, those same habits don’t serve you. Yet you keep them out of loyalty, familiarity, or plain inertia. It’s like insisting on using Windows XP in 2025. Sure, it opens, but that’s not the point.

The point is: Your life upgrades faster than your habits do. When the mismatches pile up, you start feeling the symptoms: resentment, exhaustion, confusion, restlessness, stagnation, the sense that something is “off” but you can’t put your finger on it. That’s your internal software whispering: “This system is outdated. Please update.”

Planned obsolescence gives you a neat way to frame this. Not as a failure. Not as loss, but as natural succession. There are parts of you that carried you through tough chapters. They were necessary. Even heroic. But they’re retired staff. Not meant to be dragged along indefinitely. Let’s name a few:

The People-Pleaser: She helped you survive group projects, complicated families, messy workplaces, and fragile friendships. She protected you through silence and over-compromise. But now she’s draining your energy faster than a five-year-old smartphone battery. She needs to go.

The Over-Responsible One: This version handled everything. Emotional labour, logistics, crises, expectations. She took pride in doing the work of three people. Now? She’s exhausted, brittle and quietly resentful. She has served enough lifetimes for ten humans.

The Perfectionist: This one thinks life is a checklist where every box must be ticked neatly with the correct pen. She stops you from experimenting. She edits your work before it even exists. Her contract has expired. She doesn’t know it yet.

The “Safe” Dreamer: The one who thinks small, stays within predictable boundaries, and believes stability comes from avoiding risk. She means well, but she’s holding back the version of you who’s ready to live more boldly.

These versions aren’t wrong. But they’re outdated. They belong to older chapters, the ones that shaped you but shouldn’t confine you.

Planned obsolescence says: Thank them. Retire them. Upgrade yourself.

You’d think we’d be quicker to let things go. But no, humans cling like cling wrap. Why?

Familiarity feels safe: Even if the pattern is draining, at least you know it well. We rarely fear discomfort as much as we fear the unknown.
Identity gets tangled into everything: If you’ve spent 20 years being “the reliable one,” letting that version expire feels like losing a limb.
We worship longevity: Friendships should last forever. Jobs should last decades. Beliefs should stay unchanged. That’s the message we grow up with. But longevity is not proof of relevance.
Hope keeps us stuck: We tell ourselves things will improve. Just wait. Just tolerate. Just be patient. Hope is lovely, but sometimes it’s a velvet trap.
Endings feel like failure: If something ends, we assume it means we messed up. But endings are often the most responsible choice we can make.

Planned obsolescence reframes endings not as failure, but as lifecycle completion. Just because something doesn’t last forever doesn’t mean it wasn’t meaningful.

How to spot when something has quietly become obsolete? The signs are subtle at first, and then suddenly not subtle at all. Here’s what to look for:
You have to overwrite your instincts to stay.
You feel small in a space that used to excite you.
Your conversations feel repetitive.
You’re learning nothing new.
You’re staying out of loyalty, not alignment.
You fantasise about detaching, but feel guilty.
You’ve outgrown what the situation can offer.
The most telling sign? You feel yourself shrinking instead of expanding.

Obsolescence, in life, isn’t about usefulness. It’s about fit. And fit changes as we do.

How do we practice planned obsolescence in life? This is where the idea becomes practical. Not philosophical, not abstract, actionable. Here’s how to use planned obsolescence as a life tool.

Introduce Review Dates for Your Life: Jobs come with appraisals. So do products. But we rarely review our lives with the same discipline. Choose a date each year to ask: Is this still working for who I am now, not who I was? Careers, relationships, habits, commitments, all fair game. It’s not harsh. It’s honest.

Retire Beliefs That No Longer Fit: We don’t question our beliefs enough because we assume age equals correctness. But beliefs also expire. Examples include, “I have to do everything myself.” “I can’t disappoint people.” “Everyone will be upset if I change.” “I’m too old to try something new.”, and “Success must look a certain way.” These are old operating systems running on modern hardware. They cause more glitches than growth. Replace them with beliefs that match your current bandwidth, values and aspirations.

Let Relationships Evolve Instead of Forcing Them to Stay Frozen: Not all friendships need to maintain their original frequency. Some shift into seasonal contact. Some gently fade. Some stay but change shape. This isn’t betrayal. Its lifecycle. Planned obsolescence doesn’t mean ruthlessly cutting people off. It means recognising when a dynamic needs to upgrade or downshift. You can love someone and still acknowledge that the form of the relationship has expired.

Upgrade Your Coping Mechanisms: Overthinking, overworking, avoiding, shutting down: these coping tools belong to past versions of you. Instead of patching them, replace them. Old coping mechanisms may be to avoid conflict; the upgrade is to communicate early, clearly, and calmly. The old coping mechanism is to overprepare; the upgrade is to prepare enough. The old coping mechanism is to say yes automatically, while the upgrade means to pause, assess, and decide. Every upgrade frees emotional bandwidth.

Stop Treating Your Goals Like Museum Artefacts: Just because you once wanted something doesn’t mean you must carry that desire for the next 40 years. It’s fine to outgrow dreams, it’s fine to replace ambitions, it’s fine to retire goals that belonged to earlier versions of you. Life isn’t a museum where everything must be preserved untouched. It’s a living space. And living spaces need refreshing.

Version Your Life Like Software Updates: This is the simplest and most liberating idea of all. Think of yourself as a series of versions. Version 1.0 is learning the rules, version 2.0 is testing boundaries, version 3.0 is building stability, version 4.0 is rewriting definitions, and the current version is stronger, clearer, braver, and more intentional. Every version ends, not because it failed, but because you grew. A new version doesn’t erase the old one. It builds on it. That’s the beauty of planned obsolescence: retirement, not rejection.

What happens when you start living this way? Things shift, quietly at first, then dramatically. You stop dragging emotional clutter around. You notice what genuinely matters. You become more present. Your decisions sharpen. Your relationships clarify. Work feels more aligned. Life feels less chaotic because you’re not trying to maintain expired systems. You create space. And space invites possibility. Most people are so busy holding on that they forget life isn’t a storage unit. It’s a flow. Things come in, things go out. Nothing needs to remain forever to be meaningful. Planned obsolescence teaches you to honour the exit as much as the entry.

Next, let’s talk about the fear of letting go too soon. This fear is natural. Endings carry weight. But letting go intentionally isn’t rash. It’s incredibly mindful. It requires clarity and honesty, two things we rarely extend to ourselves. Letting something expire early isn’t failure. It’s stewardship. And here’s the truth: Most of the things we fear losing are already half-gone. We’re just pretending not to notice. When you release them, you’re not being irresponsible. You’re being real.

Planned obsolescence isn’t about discarding everything. It’s about recognising lifecycle, respecting timing, creating room for growth, not forcing permanence, and allowing evolution to happen smoothly instead of chaotically. It’s about gently closing chapters instead of dragging them until they fall apart. When you start doing this, something surprising happens: Your life becomes lighter. Not empty. Just uncluttered. Clarity comes. Momentum comes. Energy returns. Curiosity replaces dread. You become someone who adapts instead of someone who endures.

Life isn’t a forever project. We’re taught to value longevity as if the length of something is the best indicator of its worth. But some of our most important moments are brief. Some of our most transformative relationships last only a season. Some of our boldest decisions appear “too soon” to outsiders. Longevity is not the goal. Alignment is. Everything in life has a natural expiry: habits, jobs, routines, connections, identities. Instead of fearing that truth, planned obsolescence invites us to work with it. It encourages us to evolve gracefully instead of reacting desperately. Life doesn’t move in straight lines. It moves in cycles.
And each cycle deserves a clean beginning, not a leftover ending.

The best part, you get to choose what expires next. That’s the quiet power in this idea. Businesses dictate the expiry date of their products. But you get to dictate the expiry date of the parts of your life that no longer serve you. You choose what stays. You choose what retires. You choose what gets upgraded. It’s intentional, freeing and strangely calming. And once you start treating some things as temporary: beliefs, roles, patterns, you also start treating other things as possibilities. New habits, new relationships, new dreams, and new versions of yourself. Planned obsolescence, when translated into real life, simply means this: Stop waiting for things to fall apart. Choose your endings. Shape your transitions. Own your upgrades. It’s not a corporate trick, it’s a life skill. And it might just be the one thing that helps you move more lightly, more honestly and more courageously through the chapters waiting ahead.

Que Sera, Sera: Embracing the Flow of Life

Posted on October 2, 2024 by memoriesandsuch

“Que sera, sera, whatever will be, will be. The future’s not ours to see.” – Ray Evans and Jay Livingston

This song was a favourite while growing up among my friends and myself and we would sing it frequently when we had time in class and when we went on picnics and camps. The phrase “Que sera, sera” (pronounced “kay sair-uh, sair-uh”) is Spanish for “Whatever will be, will be.” It gained widespread popularity in the 1950s through the song of the same name, written by the legendary songwriting duo of Jay Livingston and Ray Evans.

The song was first featured in the 1956 Alfred Hitchcock film “The Man Who Knew Too Much,” where it was sung by Doris Day. Although Day initially disliked the song and only recorded one take, it went on to become her signature song and a massive hit. The lyrics reflect the philosophy of accepting the future as it unfolds:

“When I was just a little girl, I asked my mother, ‘What will I be? Will I be pretty? Will I be rich?’ Here’s what she said to me: ‘Que sera, sera. Whatever will be, will be. The future’s not ours to see. Que sera, sera.'”

However, the phrase “Que sera, sera” actually predates the song. It was found carved in stone in the 1954 film “The Barefoot Contessa,” where it was translated by the character played by Rossano Brazzi as “What will be, will be.” Livingston and Evans recognised the potential of the phrase and crafted the now-iconic song around it.

The philosophy behind “Que sera, sera” is one of acceptance and letting go. It suggests that worrying about the future is futile, as it is not ours to control or predict. Instead, we should focus on the present moment and trust that whatever happens is meant to be.

The concept aligns closely with existentialist philosophy, which emphasises individual experience and the inherent uncertainty of life. Existentialism posits that life lacks inherent meaning, and individuals must navigate their existence amidst this ambiguity. So Que Sera, Sera reflects the acceptance of life’s unpredictability, resonating with existentialist themes of embracing uncertainty and the limits of control over one’s fate. This perspective encourages individuals to focus on the present and make choices despite the unknown future, embodying the existentialist belief in personal agency within an indifferent universe.

This concept is closely related to the Serenity Prayer, which asks for the wisdom to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference. It is also reminiscent of the Buddhist teaching of non-attachment, which encourages letting go of desires and expectations to find peace and contentment.

In a world that often emphasises goal-setting, planning, and control, the idea of “Que sera, sera” can be a refreshing and liberating perspective. It acknowledges that life is unpredictable and that we cannot always predict or control the outcomes of our actions. By accepting this uncertainty and trusting in the flow of life, we can reduce stress, anxiety, and disappointment.

Adopting a “Que sera, sera” attitude can bring numerous benefits to our lives. When we let go of the need to control every aspect of our lives, we free ourselves from the burden of constant worry and stress. By accepting that some things are beyond our control, we can focus our energy on what we can influence and let go of the rest. By embracing the unpredictability of life, we build resilience and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. When we face challenges or setbacks, we can approach them with a mindset of flexibility and openness rather than rigidity and resistance. By not fixating on the future, we can fully engage with and appreciate the present moment. We can savour the joys and pleasures of daily life rather than constantly looking ahead to the next goal or milestone. When we let go of expectations and attachments, we reduce the risk of disappointment. If things don’t turn out as we had hoped, we can more easily accept the situation and move forward, rather than getting stuck in regret or bitterness. Embracing “Que sera, sera” can foster a sense of trust in the larger forces at work in the universe. Whether one believes in God, fate, or simply the natural flow of life, trusting that things happen for a reason can provide a sense of comfort and security in the face of uncertainty.

Adopting a “Que sera, sera” mindset doesn’t mean abandoning all planning or goal-setting. It simply means striking a balance between taking action and letting go of the need to control the outcome. Here are some ways to incorporate this philosophy into your daily life:

Practice Acceptance: When faced with a situation that is out of one’s control, consciously practice acceptance. Acknowledge the reality of the situation, let go of any resistance or resentment, and focus the energy on what one can influence.
Cultivate Gratitude: Regularly expressing gratitude for the good things in one’s life can help shift one’s focus from what one lacks to what one already has. This practice can foster a sense of abundance and appreciation, even in the face of uncertainty.
Embrace Flexibility: Be willing to adapt and change course when necessary. Rigidly clinging to a specific outcome can lead to disappointment and frustration. Instead, approach life with a flexible mindset, ready to pivot and explore new possibilities as they arise.
Trust the Process: When working towards a goal or facing a challenge, trust that the process is unfolding as it should. Have faith that even if the outcome is not what one expected, one will learn and grow from the experience. Celebrate the small victories along the way.
Seek Balance: Strive for a balance between taking action and letting go. Set goals and make plans, but hold them lightly. Engage fully in the present moment while also keeping an eye on the future. By finding this balance, one can make the most of their life while still embracing the unpredictability of the journey.

The song “Que Sera, Sera” has endured for over 60 years, with covers by artists ranging from Sly and the Family Stone to The Carpenters. Its enduring appeal speaks to the timeless wisdom of its message. In a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain, the idea of accepting and embracing the flow of life can be a powerful antidote to stress and anxiety. By letting go of the need to control every aspect of one’s lives, one can find greater peace, joy, and resilience.

Of course, adopting a “Que sera, sera” mindset is not always easy. It requires practice, patience, and a willingness to step outside one’s comfort zone. But by making small steps towards acceptance and flexibility, one can gradually transform one’s relationship with uncertainty and embrace the adventure of life.

In the end, “Que sera, sera” is not just a catchy song lyric, but a profound invitation to live with greater presence, trust, and resilience. By embracing the uncertainty of the future and focusing on the beauty of the present moment, one can find a sense of freedom and joy that transcends the ups and downs of life.

So take a cue from Doris Day and her mother in the song and let go of worries about what the future may hold. Instead, trust in the flow of life, embrace the journey, and sing along with the chorus:

“Que sera, sera, whatever will be, will be. The future’s not ours to see. Que sera, sera.”

Life Lessons I Wish I Knew When I was Younger

Posted on December 11, 2023 by memoriesandsuch

As someone who has recently completed five decades, I have been thinking a lot about what I have and have not achieved in life. There’s a lot I wanted to do but for some reason, did not. So, there’s a lot I want to accomplish in the next few decades.

Plus, it’s the end of the year and this is a time of contemplation and retrospection so I thought I would post about this topic so others can learn from my life. So here are twelve pieces of life advice I would give my younger self.

Don’t take yourself too seriously. Life can be tough, but it’s important to remember to have fun and not take yourself too seriously. When you learn to laugh at yourself, you’ll find that life becomes a lot more enjoyable. You’ll also find that people are more drawn to you when you have a good sense of humour and don’t take yourself too seriously. So, the next time you make a mistake or do something silly, don’t beat yourself up about it. Instead, laugh it off and move on.

Embrace your uniqueness. Everyone has quirks, and that’s what makes us unique. Instead of trying to hide them, embrace them! You’ll find that people will appreciate you more for being yourself. Don’t seek to blend in; celebrate what sets you apart. Your quirks and idiosyncrasies are what make you, well, you, stand out from the crowd, and they’re what make you interesting. In a world that often encourages conformity, it’s the outliers who bring innovation and fresh perspectives. Be confident in your individuality.

Travel as much as you can. Traveling is one of the best ways to broaden your horizons and learn about different cultures. It can also help you gain a new perspective on life and appreciate what you have. When you travel, you’ll learn about different customs, foods, and ways of life. You’ll also meet new people and make new friends. So, whether you’re travelling to a new country or just exploring a new part of your city, make sure to take advantage of every opportunity to travel.

Don’t be afraid to fail. Failure is a natural part of life, and it’s important to learn from your mistakes. Failure is not the end; it’s a stepping stone on the path to growth and achievement. Every setback carries lessons that will serve you in the future. It’s not about how many times you fall; it’s about how many times you rise. When you’re not afraid to fail, you’ll find that you’re more willing to take risks and try new things. You’ll also learn more from your failures than from your successes. So, the next time you’re faced with a challenge, don’t be afraid to take a risk. Even if you fail, you’ll learn something valuable that will help you in the future.

Be kind. The world can be a challenging place, and it’s easy to become jaded. But always remember the power of kindness. Be kind to others, and equally important, be kind to yourself. It’s easy to be hard on yourself, but it’s important to remember to be kind to yourself. Treat yourself with the same compassion and understanding that you would offer to a friend. When you’re kind to yourself, you’ll find that you’re happier and more confident. So, whether you’re dealing with a difficult situation or just having a bad day, remember to be kind to yourself.

Don’t compare yourself to others. Everyone has their own journey in life, and it’s important to remember that you’re on your path. Comparing yourself to others will only lead to disappointment and frustration. Instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on your progress and growth. You’ll find that you’re much happier and more fulfilled when you’re not constantly comparing yourself to others.

Cherish your health. Your health is your most valuable asset and your body is your lifelong companion, so treat it with the respect it deserves. Make sure to eat well, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep. When you take care of your body, you’ll find that you have more energy and feel better overall. You’ll also be less likely to get sick or develop health problems in the future. Health is a treasure too often appreciated only in its absence.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Don’t be afraid to reach out to others when you need support or guidance. Whether you’re dealing with a personal problem or a work-related issue, there’s no shame in asking for help. You’ll find that people are often more than willing to lend a helping hand.

Be open to new experiences and remain curious. Life is full of surprises, and it’s important to be open to new experiences. When you step outside of your comfort zone, you’ll find that you grow and learn more than you ever thought possible. Whether you’re trying a new food or learning a new skill, be open to new experiences and opportunities. Never let your curiosity wane. It’s the engine that drives personal and intellectual growth. Ask questions, seek answers, and remain inquisitive.

Cherish your relationships. Your relationships with family and friends are some of the most important things in life. Material possessions, though enticing, pale in comparison to the richness of meaningful relationships. Make sure to cherish them and make time for the people who matter most to you. Whether you’re spending time with your parents or catching up with an old friend, make sure to prioritize your relationships. Cultivate empathy and be there for those who matter most to you and life becomes so much richer and more fulfilling.

Be resilient. You are stronger than you realise. Resilience is a remarkable human trait and in moments of hardship and adversity, you realise that every challenge is an opportunity to learn, adapt, and grow. In the face of adversity, you will discover your inner strength and emerge wiser and more resilient.

Keep learning: Education is not confined to the walls of a classroom. Commit to a lifetime of learning and personal growth. Even in failure, there is a lesson to be learned. Seek knowledge, explore new interests, and challenge your preconceptions. The more you learn, the more you realize how little you know. Embrace this journey of intellectual discovery.

Wisdom comes as you grow older and learn life’s lessons. The younger me would have perhaps dismissed these lessons had they come from someone else, and I guess that’s the thinking of a younger brain. But hopefully, those who read this post will learn from my life and won’t make the same mistakes. Every life experience, good or bad, happy or challenging, contributes to us as individuals. Each step, each choice, and each lesson are part of the incredible mosaic that is your story. Embrace it, learn from it, and treasure every moment, for they are the chapters of the remarkable book of your life.

2022 Week 37 Update

Posted on September 18, 2022 by memoriesandsuch

The highest spiritual leader and former head of state of Tibet, the 14^th Dalai Lama is the author of this week’s quote. The Dalai Lama reminds us of something so basic, but something we don’t see that often. He asks to choose to remain optimistic because it feels better. Being optimistic means seeing a glass as being half full rather than half empty. So when one sees the good in every and any situation, we automatically start seeing the good as opposed to seeing the bad when we are pessimistic and this opens up our hearts and our lives. And for me especially, this quote spoke to me this week as I grapple with seeing some things happen and taking it positively as opposed to my usual pessimism.

This weekend, we celebrated BB & GG’s 19^th birthday. Because they have different sets of friends, BB’s friends came yesterday and GG’s friends will come later today. And because the bulk of the children coming wanted Indian food, that’s what they got. We had a lot of fun yesterday and will do so today also.

According to the World Health Organization chief, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the world has never been in a better position to end the COVID-19 pandemic. Though we are not there yet, the end is in sight according to him, the most upbeat assessment from the agency since the start of the pandemic. It has also been reported that deaths from COVID-19 last week were the lowest since March 2020. We’ve moved beyond the emergency phase of the pandemic and today most governments are now looking at how best to manage COVID-19 as part of their routine healthcare and surveillance.

Lessons I learnt from the Corporate World

Posted on June 18, 2021 by memoriesandsuch

We have been spending some time recently talking about work and the working life, especially since GG & BB will start their six-month industrial attachment next year and I thought that some of what we discussed could be of use to others, especially someone who is either just entering the corporate space or are a few years in and want to succeed in their careers.

In no particular order, here’s what I have learnt:

Be good to those below you more than those above you. Treat everyone with the respect you expect from them for yourself. Be nice to everyone, you never know when you are being judged.

Be careful when you work with friends, it may sometimes end badly

Keep your opinions about others to yourself and never share it with anyone else at work

Don’t Gossip! Especially in the pantry and public spaces, you never know who could be listening

Office politics is a fact of life and you can’t escape it. Learn to play the game

Network, network and then network some more. As you grow in your career, your networks will become more and more useful and informative.

Make your boss look good. That’s the key to success because they are the only ones who will battle for you and promote you. Make sure you know what your boss needs to accomplish and do your best to help them accomplish it.

Document everything! Your wins, commendations, compliments and learnings.

Train someone else to do your job and do it well. Because if you are irreplaceable in your position, you will never move up because there is nobody else to do what you are doing and doing best.

Any organisation you work for is not running a charity, they are here to make money and you have also been hired for that reason. You are hired because you have something that the organisation needs and any employment is a two-way process, one where both parties benefit.

Be reliable, be punctual and if you give someone a deadline, make sure you stick to it and in fact try to finish your work before the deadline.

Under promise and over deliver. It’s very simple actually. If you think you need 2 days to get a task done, ask for three days. This way, you have an extra day for any unforeseen circumstances that may come up and you are prepared and if all goes well, you get the task done ahead of your deadline, making you look super-efficient.

Become friends with all the secretaries, PAs and other co-ordinators. They will help you in tight spots and are also a good source of information that may not be found elsewhere.

Stay calm, cool and collected even if you are a withering mass inside. Be like the swan who looks calm and placid above the water, but is furiously paddling below it.

Leave your emotions at the door when you enter your place of work. Always think twice when you send emails or make phone calls when you are angry or upset. One tip I use during these times is to type your email first without typing in the email address and keep it aside for a while. Then when you are in a better frame of mind, edit the email, add the email address and send it.

Be well-dressed at work. Stand out, but not in the wrong way. If your work environment is conservative, then don’t wear outlandish clothes and vice-versa. Discreet jewellery, perfume and clothes which are classic will be better than fast fashion.

You are your own brand, so everything you do, say, write, dress, behave showcases the brand. So, create the brand that resonates with your work environment and maybe a couple of steps above your current role and stay true to your brand image at all times.

Have a life outside the office. You are not just a corporate drone, you should and must have a life outside of work. Have a hobby and do something that is totally unrelated to what you do at work.

Ask and encourage feedback from your managers because sometimes there may be something that you don’t see, but someone more experienced may instantly see.

Share successes, especially when you work as a team. When you do this, you let others share the glory and they will feel part of the successful project. Also, it never helps to have people think positively about you and your ethics. Giving others a chance to claim credit is an easy and effective way to magnify results.

Never stop learning. Every opportunity, good or bad teaches you something, even if it is what not to do, so don’t stagnate and become too comfortable in your job.

Always look at the bright side, and the positive side of things. Don’t get bogged down by pessimism. When days, weeks or even months are difficult, take heart and the hardest times will pass.

Focus on what you do best and try to compensate for your weaknesses. Nobody is perfect and everyone has some areas they are not good at, so amplify your strengths and work on the weaknesses.

Procrastination is something all of us are prone to, but procrastination has clear repercussions in the workplace resulting in challenges such as falling behind tasks. So, make sure you have clear daily goals which you tick off before you start slacking.

Failure is not the death kneel of your career. You will fail and multiple times in your career, but don’t stress about them. With no mistakes, there would be no opportunity to learn. Every failure gives you the chance to grow both personally and professionally.

Speak up. In meetings, in discussions and anyplace where you may have some input. This is not the time to be shy and refrain from speaking. If you have something to add to the discussion, make sure you put your point across. It may not be accepted, but for every ten points you put across, maybe one will be the one that is what was needed. But also ensure that when you speak, you understand what is being said and don’t speak illogically and nonsense.

Proactively seek new responsibilities, but only if you can handle. Conversely, don’t take up anything and everything that is thrown your way. Learn to say no to those above you if you are unable to manage or are hitting way above your weight and expertise.

Learn that everyone is expendable. If you don’t go to work, your organisation will not shut down, they will move on. But if you are not around, your family will be extremely affected and will find it very hard to move on. So don’t prioritise your job over your family.

Never burn bridges. You never know when you may have to go back to someone you have fought with, bad-mouthed or just generally been unpleasant to. People remember and will take their revenge when its their turn.

Work hard when you are at work, and when you leave the office, try to turn off. Most importantly have fun doing what you are doing and the eight or nine hours you spend at work won’t feel very long.

Stay two steps ahead. No matter what we do, success is less about any given moment and more about the next. Learn to anticipate what your manager or customer needs before they know how to ask for it and that’s one of the quickest ways to distinguish yourself in the workplace. Take initiative and don’t wait around to be told what to do, but at the same time, don’t make any assumptions, either.

Don’t take anything personally. Be professional, even when you think someone is out to get you.

Don’t trust anyone, especially at work. Everyone is looking out for themselves and a someone you consider a friend can easily throw you under a bus to save themselves. And at the same time, there’s a well know saying which is apt here to keep your friends close and enemies closer and is 100% true in a corporate setting.

Listen more and speak less. We have been given two ears and a mouth for a reason. So listen more than you speak and actually listen instead of rehearsing what you are going to say. At the same time, pay attention to what is happening around you and you will never be caught off guard.

Never betray anyone’s trust. Keep other people’s secrets as well as your own, and don’t share information that was given to you in confidence

Keep your social media to your social circle. Don’t ever add your co-workers and bosses to your social media platforms. You wouldn’t want them to know what is going on in your life which can give them ammunition to hurt or harm you. This doesn’t include LinkedIn as that is a work social platform.

Be flexible. Have an opinion, but don’t have hard opinions.

Don’t run after money. No doubt having money in the bank and being financially independent is important, but don’t let money dictate what you are in life and what you want to do in life. Let money be an accessory, not the focus.

Go the extra mile. Nobody ever achieved success by doing the bare minimum. Go above and beyond and you will be rewarded in one way or another.

Last, keep your goal in front of you and remember that whatever you do, you need to be true to yourself

So, there you have it, 40 lessons I learnt while in the corporate world. I am going to share it with BB & GG and their friends. Hope this was useful to you too. If you have more lessons from the corporate world, please share in the comments below.

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Memories of a very ordinary life

Tag Archives: Life Lessons