It’s been close to five years since I started working for this newspaper, but I can firmly say it’s been a fun and challenging Journey.

The beauty about doing what you love is that you give it your all. So that’s what has made my experience worthwhile-full of lessons, taking risks and mostly become eager to learn.

Here are some of the lessons I have learned;

Ask for help 

When it comes to learning, one’s ego should be thrown outside the window. There is no harm in asking people to assist you in areas that you don’t know or are weak at. Thankfully, I work with cooperative people that are present to provide any knowledge or information necessary to enable me to execute my work. I have come to notice that if you don’t ask, you may not know because people won’t assume that there is anything you need to be enlightened on. Don’t shy away from gaining wisdom. 

Push yourself 

The workplace environment is a bit unique. Unlike school where you are pushed around to deliver any assignment on time, work is different. You’re expected to submit on time about two days or one day before the deadline. This is something you have to know and do. No one has to be on your neck reminding you to do the work you signed to deliver or are paid to do. To gain the bosses’ trust, do yourself a favour and do what is required of you. People don’t want to work with lazy people. 

Use your skills to the maximum

Whether its communication, positive attitude, self-management, and willingness to learn, team work or thinking skills, they only add value to the company if used effectively. And the more I exercise my skills, the more I actually learn better in different aspects. 

Professionalism

The way I carry myself can affect the people I work with positively or negatively, which is why I have kept it professional. I am sure that my presence can’t affect anyone’s work experience. For instance, I value the workplace culture, I don’t mix my personal issues with work, I am accountable to my commitments, and don’t entertain conversations that demean my co-workers. 

Time management 

Working with a media house, it is imperative to be on time because you need to break the story before any other media house does. When you take your sweet time, you have lost out on that. As a reporter, there is that excitement that comes with being the first person to inform or educate the public about any issue that is taking place. But in whatever domain, time management is still key. Respecting time can save you from stress, poor quality work, missing deadlines, harming your reputation and so forth. 

Self-motivation 

You may not have people to push you to accomplish your tasks and meet your goals, but at least you have yourself. You need to push yourself to keep going until you succeed. Self-motivation answers the "why,” Why do I need to do this in the first place? Once you have the answer, you’re good to go. Self-motivation has boosted my productivity and there are days I have outdid myself and was proud of who I am. Setting achievable goals will assist you to fulfil your daily tasks. Try learning something new every day as well, it is very possible. 

Avoid stagnation

If there is anything that bores me, it is being in a position where I can’t learn anything new; a skill, talent, idea and so forth. Work can mean to be the same daily, which may bore you as an individual but taking the step to leave the comfort zone to better yourself is an amazing decision. You can take on a new course; apply for a promotion, or even volunteer in other departments to equip yourself with more skills.