Things I Wish I Knew Earlier About Being a Professional

🎙️ This blog post is adapted from an episode of Ginger Biz the Podcast hosted by Katy Murray. 

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We often hear that hindsight is 20/20, and nowhere does that feel more true than in our professional lives. As we move through the years, building experience, confidence, and resilience, we inevitably find ourselves reflecting on lessons we wish we had learned earlier. Not because we regret the path we took, but because we recognize how much smoother—or simply more human—it could have been with a little perspective.

This post is a reflection and a guide. Whether you're just starting out or you're years into your career and still feeling like you're figuring it out (spoiler alert: we all are), I hope these lessons resonate with you. More importantly, I hope they encourage you to extend some grace to yourself—and maybe even pass along a bit of wisdom to someone else.

1. Productivity Isn’t Perfection

For years, I chased the feeling of a fully-checked to-do list. I measured the quality of my day by how many tasks I completed. If I didn’t get it all done, I felt behind, lazy, or ineffective. But here’s the truth I wish someone had told me:

You won’t finish everything every day. And that’s okay.

There will always be more to do. And some things will need to roll over to tomorrow. The real question isn’t "Did I finish everything?" It’s "Did I focus on what mattered most today?"

Action Item:

Each morning, identify your top 1–2 priorities. Circle them. If all else fails, make sure those get your attention.

And try the "Eat the Frog" method: tackle the hardest, most important task first. You’ll feel lighter and more accomplished.

2. It’s Okay to Slow Down

Our culture glorifies hustle. We reward those who stay late, answer emails at all hours, and wear busyness like a badge of honor. But over time, I learned something radical:

Slowing down doesn’t mean falling behind.

In fact, it often means catching your breath so you can move forward with clarity. Rest isn’t a reward for productivity. It’s a requirement for sustainability.

Action Item:

Take one 10-minute break tomorrow that you wouldn't normally take. Go for a walk. Stretch. Sit quietly without a screen. See how it feels.

Identify one boundary you need to protect (like no work emails after dinner). Then hold to it for one week.

3. Be a Lifelong Learner

When we finish school or get our first big job, it can feel like the "learning phase" is over. But the truth is:

Your ability to grow is your greatest professional advantage.

Curiosity is a leadership skill. Staying open to feedback, new technology, diverse perspectives, and changing norms will keep you relevant, humble, and powerful.

Action Item:

Write down one thing you’ve always wanted to learn but haven’t made time for.

Sign up for a webinar, read a new book, or schedule time to explore that skill. Learning doesn’t have to be formal to be transformational.

4. Your Reputation Is Your Greatest Asset

In every workplace, people are watching how you show up. How you treat others. How you communicate. How you respond under pressure.

Your work gets you in the room. Your character keeps you there.

More than your title or your resume, your reputation is what people remember. It’s what earns trust. It’s what gets you invited back, promoted, or recommended.

Action Item:

Ask a trusted colleague to describe how they experience you professionally.

Listen without defensiveness. Are you known for being dependable? Creative? Kind? Or maybe always late, overextended, or reactive?

Choose one small behavior this week that reinforces the kind of professional you want to be known as.

5. Embrace Change and Stay Adaptable

Change used to terrify me. I liked knowing what to expect, what was next, what the plan was. But life rarely sticks to the plan.

Adaptability is a superpower.

The professionals who thrive are the ones who can pivot without panic. Who stay curious in the face of disruption. Who see opportunity instead of obstacle.

Action Item:

Think of one change you’re currently navigating (big or small). Instead of resisting it, ask: What could this be making space for?

Lean into one small action that embraces the change, even if it’s just shifting your mindset.

6. Say Yes Early, Learn What to Say No To

In the beginning of your career, you might feel unsure about what you like or where you want to grow. Saying yes can feel risky, especially when you don't feel ready.

But here's the thing:

Saying yes helps you learn what you want—and what you don’t.

Eventually, you learn that saying "no" isn’t rejection. It’s alignment. But to know what to decline, you often have to try a few things first.

Action Item:

Say yes to one opportunity that scares you a little but excites you a lot.

Then, reflect on it: Did it energize or drain you? Did it teach you something new? Use that feedback to shape your future yes's and no's.

Final Thoughts: The Human Side of Professionalism

So often, we try to mold ourselves into a perfect version of a "professional"—buttoned up, polished, in control. But real professionalism includes grace, flexibility, humility, and honesty. It means learning from experience, leading with empathy, and recognizing that growth is never linear.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

• You can be driven and take breaks.

• You can be professional and still be learning.

• You can be successful and still have boundaries.

• You can be respected and still be human.

So instead of measuring your days by how much you get done or how perfectly you performed, try measuring them by something more meaningful:

• Did I lead with integrity?

• Did I listen and learn?

• Did I take care of myself?

• Did I leave someone better than I found them?

Call to Action: Make It Personal

You don’t have to implement every lesson at once. But you can start somewhere.

Try this simple 3-step reflection:

1. Identify: Which lesson from above resonates with you the most right now?

2. Commit: What small action will you take this week to live it out?

3. Share: Who in your circle could benefit from hearing this? Send them a message or simply share what you learned.

If you’re a leader, consider taking this one step further: Host a team conversation where each person shares one thing they wish they knew earlier in their professional journey. You’ll be amazed by the wisdom in the room.

Let’s stop pretending we have it all figured out. Instead, let’s grow together, honestly and intentionally.

Now it’s your turn. What do you wish you knew earlier?