Sam Balaji’s Post

If You Were A Late Starter, Here’s How To Catch Up In Your Career  by Jack Kelly We are regaled and inundated with the success stories of those who experienced a meteoric rise to the top. A young Mark Zuckerberg built Facebook out of his dorm room and became a billionaire tech titan. As an immigrant from South Africa, Elon Musk found himself at the helm of multiple companies, which helped him to become the wealthiest person in the world. Jeff Bezos began his entrepreneurial journey in a suburban garage and turned his online bookstore into the biggest online retailer in history. Often overlooked in the recounting of these success stories are those who are in ordinary jobs and careers. Being a late bloomer in your career is common, as most people don’t succeed right away. If you could not get on the first rung of the corporate ladder, didn’t get that coveted Wall Street internship or come from a wealthy family with connections, you will likely feel left behind compared to your peers. If you find yourself in this situation, don’t despair. There is ample time to catch up or even exceed those who got off to a quicker start. A career is like a marathon coupled with a Tough Mudder race. It's long, complex and fraught with obstacles that you must overcome. Time can be on your side. As people live longer, you may be working until your late 60s or even into your 70s, giving you ample time to turn yourself into a winner. If you put your mind to it, you can compensate for the lost time. Take an inventory of your innate gifts and tap into your passions. Prioritize embracing your unique strengths that set you apart and make you special. Remain patient, build a strong network and be open to learning.... #careeradvice #jobsearch #careercoach #hiring https://lnkd.in/eqUep7iq

Lessons For Forging A Unique Career Path In the ever-evolving landscape of career choices, I'm one of those individuals who broke free from traditional molds and forged my unique path to success. My journey stands as a testament to the power of determination and the pursuit of one's passions. For those seeking to chart their own path to success, here are some insights I've gained along my career journey.

"Life is just always mysterious and surprising, and you never know what’s around the next corner." In this short segment from a 60 Minutes interview, Steve Jobs reflects on the unpredictable nature of life, a theme that resonated deeply throughout his career. Despite the highs and undeniable lows, Jobs' journey underscores a powerful narrative of resilience and rebirth. His reflection on being ousted from Apple at 30 and later returning to transform the company encapsulates the essence of his resilience. Jobs remarks, "Life goes on and you learn from it," a sentiment that not only shaped his approach to business but also his personal growth. It’s a great reminder that our greatest setbacks can set the stage for our most significant comebacks. Sometimes, the most profound lessons and opportunities come from the most unexpected places. Reflecting on my own career, an unpredictable twist occurred when I transitioned from a Swedish startup to joining IBM. It was quickly evident that big corporate life was not for me. This realization set me on a rocky, yet exhilarating path through startups and scale-ups - far riskier but infinitely more rewarding. What’s an unpredictable twist in your career that turned out to be an opportunity?

1 month into my sabbatical and I'm 'climbing the walls'. Literally. Here's what my career can teach you about reaching the top: Last weekend, I faced a wall with my daughter — a climbing wall, to be exact. She returned to an old love; I braved new heights. 🧗♀️ Her climb resonated with me. Each grip, each step, felt like my career moves. From the unpredictable to the planned, it's always onward and upward. I've journeyed from Tokyo thesis-writing to Swedish startup coding, to embracing sales. Not planned, just driven by curiosity. Yet, each choice was a stepping stone.   Even finding my passion in sales didn’t make things linear. From thriving startups to demanding corporates, I've seen it all. Those peaks and valleys molded me and defined my path. Life lesson? Embrace the unknown. Even a fall holds a lesson — if we're receptive. 😅 In climbing and careers, the route isn’t always obvious. It takes guts to explore, to keep pushing. Because that's where we find our true calling, our zeal, our potential. Career insights? ✅ Lateral Moves = OK: It’s not always about the vertical climb. Horizontal shifts can be game-changers. 📚 Experience Over Titles: Chase skills and experiences. Titles fade; skills compound over time. 💪 Stay Tenacious: A firm grip isn't guaranteed. Adaptability and persistence are key. Careers, like climbing, can feel chaotic. Yet, the suitable strategy can have you soaring higher than your wildest dreams. PS. Did you ever do something unexpected to progress in your career? Share below! _____ → If you like this content, follow me Mats Uddenfeldt → Repost this post ♻️ #sales #leadership #growth

One year ago, I began my #INSEAD journey alongside a group of full-time professionals. Fast forward 12/13 months and many find themselves in a unique transitional phase. This phase, which I like to call 'the in-between,' includes career breaks, side ventures, startups, and non-traditional employment opportunities. We're no longer where we were, yet we haven't quite reached our ultimate aspirations. Surprising? Not really. Many of us have deliberately charted new paths in different industries, changed functions, switched companies, and moved countries or continents. Some have embarked on new business ventures or deep-dived into new areas of interest. After 18 years of continuous work, I've come to appreciate the value of a ‘sabbatical’ or a 'career/study break.' Why? 🔸 It's nearly impossible to tune into your true desires while juggling a full-time job, family commitments, and advanced degrees 24/7. 🔸 Switching off from previous roles and opening up to new way of thinking takes time. 🔸 Establishing new networks, researching new industries, exploring career options, studying unfamiliar subjects, and preparing for change is hard work and a lengthy process. 🔸 New opportunities seldom enter our lives when we're swamped with tasks, and our minds are preoccupied. What does it take to embrace this 'in-between' opportunity? In my view, it requires: ✨ An appetite for #risk to cross over to the other side. ✨ #Resilience to navigate uncertainty while making life-changing decisions. ✨ #Courage to pursue new ideas and directions. ✨ #Self-confidence and belief in your ability to succeed. ✨ Supportive partners, friends, and family to brainstorm and encourage you. It's not an easy space to be in, but it's gratifying. In today's world, where constant pressure to achieve and demonstrate success prevails, taking time to reflect, shift your thinking, and embark on a new journey is a significant step forward. As we shift to making a more meaningful #impact and pursuing our passions, it's natural for our overall happiness to increase. Setbacks and failure are always possible; however, we can never truly discover our potential unless we take that leap of faith. I'm confident that in just a few months, 99% of us will be busy once more—juggling full-time jobs and running new businesses while advancing INSEAD's mission of business as a Force for Good.' To my dear #INSEADGEMBA24 friends, embrace and enjoy this 'in-between' time—it's the best time ever." #inseadmoments #growthmindset #careerbreak #executivemba #careertransition #personalgrowth

A post about how VCs take the summer off recently blew up. Here’s why (and how) I think many founders could benefit from the same strategy. It has to be done a certain way to thread the needle. Before I get started, know that everyone is in a different stage of their career arc. Each stage requires its own strategy. Some context: I’m 24 years into my career. Stage I: I spent the first 10 years searching for meaning in my work. Stage II: Once I found it, I spent the next 10 years relentlessly building my purpose. Stage III: But over just the last ~4 years, I am finally actually enjoying my work and its purpose. Here’s what I’ve learned in each stage: Stage I: In the first stage, it’s all about learning. The best way to learn is through discovery and exploration. How? → Be an apprentice of a company or person you greatly admire. Do whatever it takes to put yourself in a position to learn from THE BEST. The last part is key. Learning from the RIGHT people is more important than almost anything else. → Travel the world. Find an employer that will let you combine your love of learning/discovery/travel with the skills you offer. Work whatever hours they need and even take a pay cut if necessary, but be able to work from anywhere whether it’s the month of July or January! Figure out what gives you drive. This is crucial for Stage II. Stage II. Once you’ve found your passion or purpose - this period in your career is about going all out. Does that mean working 24/7 - never taking time for family or recovery? I can tell you from experience that even if you don’t burn out physically, this pattern leads to something worse–“creative” burnout. You’re always so deep in the weeds that you don’t get the broader perspective you need to lead from above. You live in the minutia.   Take the Summer to evaluate and evolve your approach to your team, to your strategy, to your vision. An athlete who trains hard 7 days per week will perform worse than one who varies their efforts and allows time to recover. Stage III. Even now, I love to be in the details. I prefer to operate whereas many leaders prefer to envision. For a long time, this was my greatest strength – until my company reached a certain stage and it slowly, but surely became my greatest weakness. Now I work with my executive coach on how to elevate my impact by doing LESS. For many, maybe most, founders - you would benefit more by: 1. Building awareness about your company’s mission 2. Hiring the absolute best people possible 3. Being an incredible “editor”, not a maker Inspiration comes in all forms, but it comes more often when you vary your routine and discover something new. So yeah, take July and do some traveling. Get out of the office. Spend time with your family. But don’t worry–you don’t need to go totally ‘hands off.’ I prefer to stay in the loop, while still recharging, by working at 20-30% speed. This helps me stay on top of urgent items. I’ll then “edit” them as needed.

🔀 Switching careers? Yeah, it’s huge. It messes with your head, your sense of who you are, especially if you’ve spent forever in one field. Suddenly, you’re stepping into the unknown, juggling excitement with a ton of “what ifs” and thinking about all you’re leaving behind. That was me two years back. I ditched my safe zone in the public and private sectors, where I was the go-to person for all things administrative, and decided to dive headfirst into the tech world of software development. The kickoff point? Helsinki Business College Oy. That’s where I took my first real step toward a goal that seemed more dream than reality. Ever found yourself up at 3 AM, wrestling with thoughts like, “Is all this effort really worth it?” or “Where’s this road even taking me?” That was my life. Doubt became my unwanted roommate, making me question my whole career makeover. But fast forward to today, two years down this winding path, and I’ve hit a milestone I gotta talk about. Just three days ago, I started my gig as a software developer at Virittämö Helsingin kaupunki – Helsingfors stad – City of Helsinki. It’s not just any job; it’s proof that sticking it out through the tough times, daring to change, and dreaming big can really pay off. If you’re standing on the edge, wondering whether to take that leap into a new career, I get it. The uncertainty is real. But trust me, it’s also packed with chances to grow, learn, and find fulfillment in ways you never imagined. All those experiences you’ve racked up? They’re not just background noise. They’re the launchpad for what’s next. Looking ahead, I’m pumped for what’s to come and grateful for the road that got me here. From navigating the corridors of public and private sector offices to coding away at a desk in Helsinki, it’s been one heck of a ride. This journey’s taught me that our career paths aren’t straight lines—they’re sprawling adventures, ripe with chances to start fresh and discover new passions. So, to anyone thinking about chasing a new career dream: jump in, embrace the uncertainty, and remember it’s never too late to go after what you love. The future’s wide open, and your past experiences? They’re the palette you’ll use to paint an incredible new chapter of your life.

🌟 Embracing the Entrepreneurial Journey 🚀 We've all been there - starting with that first part-time job, stepping into the world of work. It's where our professional journey began, filled with valuable lessons and small yet significant milestones. Then came the full-time roles, the 9-to-5 routine. It taught us discipline, responsibility, and gave us a taste of what it means to be part of the workforce. But now, it's time for a new chapter. It's time to move beyond the traditional work schedule, to break free from the 9-to-5. It's time to start working for ourselves! 🔥 This is more than just a career shift; it's a lifestyle change. It's about taking the reins of our destiny, turning passions into professions, and dreams into reality. If you're on this path, or even just considering it, know that it's a journey worth embarking on. Let's celebrate the courage it takes to make this leap and support each other in our quests for independence and fulfillment. Start Your Journey Today: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/e_sWgbhY #EntrepreneurGoals #LifeBeyond9to5 #SelfEmployedLife #CareerJourney #MakeYourMark #DEDJ

🌟 Embracing the Entrepreneurial Journey 🚀 We've all been there - starting with that first part-time job, stepping into the world of work. It's where our professional journey began, filled with valuable lessons and small yet significant milestones. Then came the full-time roles, the 9-to-5 routine. It taught us discipline, responsibility, and gave us a taste of what it means to be part of the workforce. But now, it's time for a new chapter. It's time to move beyond the traditional work schedule, to break free from the 9-to-5. It's time to start working for ourselves! 🔥 This is more than just a career shift; it's a lifestyle change. It's about taking the reins of our destiny, turning passions into professions, and dreams into reality. If you're on this path, or even just considering it, know that it's a journey worth embarking on. Let's celebrate the courage it takes to make this leap and support each other in our quests for independence and fulfillment. Start Your Journey Today: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/e_sWgbhY #EntrepreneurGoals #LifeBeyond9to5 #SelfEmployedLife #CareerJourney #MakeYourMark #DEDJ

🌟 Embracing the Entrepreneurial Journey 🚀 We've all been there - starting with that first part-time job, stepping into the world of work. It's where our professional journey began, filled with valuable lessons and small yet significant milestones. Then came the full-time roles, the 9-to-5 routine. It taught us discipline, responsibility, and gave us a taste of what it means to be part of the workforce. But now, it's time for a new chapter. It's time to move beyond the traditional work schedule, to break free from the 9-to-5. It's time to start working for ourselves! 🔥 This is more than just a career shift; it's a lifestyle change. It's about taking the reins of our destiny, turning passions into professions, and dreams into reality. If you're on this path, or even just considering it, know that it's a journey worth embarking on. Let's celebrate the courage it takes to make this leap and support each other in our quests for independence and fulfillment. Start Your Journey Today: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/e_sWgbhY #EntrepreneurGoals #LifeBeyond9to5 #SelfEmployedLife #CareerJourney #MakeYourMark #DEDJ