Advice to Son on jobs and time management

Not sure how to get started in this medium....so I will begin with a comment made to a question from a young 20something yesterday on time management and his excitement and frustration getting his career started. He has just started his first 'real' job and having a hard time finding time to do what needs to get done.

To some degree welcome to the real world. My son just graduated from school and also started his first job. If he came to me, with your question on first job and time management....here are a few things I might share:

First it is natural to have this tension. You just left the old world and entered a new. To some degree you are going through a transition, and you just need to weather it. If you look at any of the books (better yet an article - since it is shorter and will take less time) that describe dealing with change it might fortify you. If reading something helps do it....but know that in any event....
You will survive this!

Stay positive for yourself...you just graduated from school. You found a job (not an easy thing to do today's world) and you like it. Even if you are feeling somewhat down (and we all do from time to time....no matter how old we get, it still happens now and then), try to put a positive spin on the days activities. Recognize your successes, don't forget about them just because that goal is accomplished.

If you are putting in too many hours (and that is not clear from your message), what can you let go? Half of our day is often spent doing busy work (things that don't matter). If it is not clear to you where your time is going.....track it in a simple way for a few days. You can get detailed doing this or high level (different people need varying levels of detail to understand). Every 30 minutes (was I largely productive (doing something you feel is meaningful) if yes...couple key words about what it was.....or were you unproductive (doing something you think was largely not meaningful) again a couple of key words. Then take the 3 biggest wasters and try to minimize them over the coming weeks.

If you are feeling overwhelmed. Try to put some words to it. Don't stay at the high general level. Ask your self "why" five times (a common problem probing model) and keep digging down to get specific, where you have identified something you can act on. See if that sheds some light. It may help.

What Andy (my son) and I did recently discuss is - 3 important things you (he) need to do over the next two to three years at the start of your career:

1. Over deliver. What ever you are asked to do, go the extra mile. But don't just over deliver anything. Try to understand the context of what you are being asked to do. How does your assignment fit with other things underway in the business/organization. Make sure you understand the expected deliverables before you start, to cut down on false starts. seek input from those around you to learn. The Carlos Goshen book "turnaround" is one of my favorite on "execution."

2. Stay focused on what is important. Over the next three years you are building a base for the rest of your career. It is a wonderful learning opportunity. Very different from school learning. Your first job though is still very much like school and that it is about "you." You need to be learning, you need to raise your hand (metaphor only) and say yes I can do/know that. And you need to deliver. If you are working with good leaders they will help you develop.

3. If you are an introvert (my son is to a degree). You are going to have a tougher life succeeding in business. That does not mean you need to become a type "A" personality. But you do need to find a way to let the world see the capability that is inside you. People just will not take the time (for all the same reasons you are stuggling with time) and probe to learn about you. Let people know what you are thinking (or that you have a thought) by asking good questions (open ended), by being enthusiastic (not in a gushy way...but that you do care), and that you want to learn and contribute.

Later when you become the leader, your role changes. Then it it not about you...it is about them...the people who work for you....you are then responsible to help them develop and excel. So for the monent....you are the learner....seek out (just like you did on this list) people whom you trust and who can help you in work and in life.,

The beginning of a career is a very exciting time of life. Full of possibilities! Many paths to choose! And great learning opportunities....remember to have fun...along the way. You will fail at somethings. Learn from them, don't make the same mistake twice...and don't be defensive about any errors. Maintain integrity in all that you do and don't waste a lot of time judging others (what happens to them, over the course of your life, will not be meaningful).