I feel like I’ve been working since I was 16 – which is when I became a full time professional tennis player. It goes without saying that, my work rules, ethic and discipline came from wanting to be a successful one. Everything I did was towards that goal. I sacrificed a lot of fun summers, nights out with friends and girlfriends to try and become what I dreamed to be. But along the way, I injured myself and the road to recovery seemed too much to handle.
Back in 2012, I became a full time tennis coach – which is a natural path for tennis players. I moved to Dubai with my wife, girlfriend at the time, and we lived and worked there for a year and a half. It was a slow starting point, given that Dubai isn’t necessarily a tennis destination. But it helped me learn a lot about who I was and what coach I wanted to be. Before coming to New York, I also worked as a coach, back in Portugal, for almost a year. Coming here, really defined everything.
Throughout the years I’ve been working, we’re going on 4 now, I’ve set a few work rules. They honestly help me establish the basics of my career and keep me grounded, focused and motivated.
#1 Everyone deserves equal attention.
Whether we are talking about clients, projects or anything else work related, it’s important to know that everyone and everything deserves an equal amount of attention. I like to think that my clients deserve my best, at all times. Even though I have closer relationships with some more than others, I stir clear of preferences or differential behavior. At the end of the day, all people/things matter.
#2 Be proactive.
I’m a tennis coach, so this is more a “being active” thing. No one wants a slouchy, lazy guy on the court. But I guess it applies to any other job. It’s important to take initiative, make suggestions, excite people. If you’re presenting a project and you’re not very enthusiastic about it, whoever is watching your presentation won’t be either. The same happens with me. If my attitude and confidence show a guy who doesn’t want to be there, people will definitely feel it.
#3 Always try to know more.
Again, this goes for anyone and any job. When you’re working somewhere, in whatever field, you should always leave room for improvement. And even be humble enough to admit you don’t know anything and others have always something to teach you. Ever since I moved to New York, I’ve done more courses in my life than ever before. And I try to ask people for suggestions and opinions, just to find out if there’s a better and more adequate way of doing things. You should never not want to know more.
What are your work rules? Do you have any we should know?