When I look back on my career, I can see many decisions that could now be described as courageous. However, when I made them, they did not feel particularly brave. I have walked into job interviews with trembling knees and entered courtrooms feeling afraid.
Instead, I have always thought that if there is a problem in front of me, it needs to be solved, and if I am given responsibility, I need to take it.
The most significant step in my career was the moment I became an entrepreneur. For me, it was a way to solve the problem I was facing at that time. For some reason, I tend to believe that I will succeed rather than fail. I have also always had people around me who see everything that could go wrong. I believe this has been important too, because these people have made me reflect on and justify my decisions even more carefully.
However, I do not believe I would have become an entrepreneur without the entrepreneurial spirit and the "of course it can be done" attitude I grew up with at home, or without my first employers. I received positive feedback from my managers and customers, which strengthened my self-confidence. That is why I also make an effort to remember to express positive feedback out loud.
My business would not have continued for this long if I had not adopted a respectful and appreciative attitude towards my colleagues, who are also my competitors. I see the colleagues around me as professionals I can look up to, listen to, and turn to for help and support. I do not think of myself as competing with them.
Both in my own business and in my hobby as a floorball coach, I believe that each of us has our own strengths that are worth building on, and that there is a place for every strength. Even today, whenever I need help, I turn to the person I believe knows the most about the particular subject. And yes, I still ask for help.
I have made my best decisions when I have taken a moment to consider whether the decision aligns with the values that are important to me. Family and free time are important values in my life, and I build my working life in a way that allows their significant role to be reflected in my everyday life.
If you are currently reflecting on your own career choices, I would like to say this to you:
Do not close yourself off to opportunities before you have even tried to pursue them.
Reflect on what your personal strengths are and how you can make use of them in your career.
Appreciate and respect others, stay curious, and learn from people, even if they do not work in the same industry as you.
When facing difficult decisions, consider which choice best aligns with your values.
Kati Kynnäs,
Attorney, entrepreneur