12 Lessons About Work No Classroom Ever Taught Me

When I first started my internship in Canada, I thought I’d be learning the “how” of the job.

Instead, I learned how work really works — the unwritten rules, the quiet habits, the subtle shifts in thinking that make the difference between just doing the job… and growing from it.

Here’s what I discovered:

1. Do the work first, pitch later.

In my first month, I wanted to share all my fresh ideas immediately — I thought that’s how you proved yourself.

But trust comes from showing you can handle what’s already on your plate. Most managers already have a big picture in mind — they just need someone to take care of the puzzle pieces. When you do that well, they start asking for your ideas without you having to push for it.

Patience builds the door. Good work opens it.

2. The hardest jobs are hidden compliments.

One day my boss gave me a messy, high-stakes project. My first thought was: Why me?

Later, I realized it wasn’t a punishment — it was a signal: I believe you can handle this. Challenging assignments mean someone trusts you to figure it out, even if you sweat through it.

3. Ask better questions

If you’re unsure about something, absolutely ask your boss — but do it wisely. Collect the facts. Then ask with focus.

Instead of, “I don’t get it,” I learned to say, “I’ve tried A, B, and C — but part D doesn’t add up.”

The difference? One makes you look stuck. The other makes you look prepared.

It shows respect for their time — and makes your question more valuable.

Ask — but ask smart.

4. Never assume

In a job interview, someone once asked, “How would you handle working with difficult people?” I jumped in with my answer.

Later, when I shared it with my mentor, she asked, “What do you mean by difficult people?” That stopped me in my tracks. She reminded me: always clarify before you respond.

I saw the same lesson in action with a former boss. I once took longer than expected to complete a task. Instead of jumping in with criticism, he first wanted to understand my process and why it took so long. Only after that did we talk about whether my approach was right.

5. Good leaders don’t hand you answers

Sometimes I wanted a straight answer. Instead, my boss would give me a nudge in the right direction. It was frustrating — until I realized he was building my ability to solve problems independently.

Good leaders give you clues, context, and room to figure it out. It’s not laziness — it’s teaching you how to think, not just what to do.

6. “Balance” is a myth — it’s about priorities

Successful people don’t see hard work as a burden — they find joy in it. During my internship, I remember noticing my boss checking our shared file late at 11 p.m. That moment changed how I saw success. It’s not about perfectly splitting work and life — it’s about managing time, setting priorities, and choosing work you actually enjoy.

7. Breaks make you better

Flow state is great, but breaks keep you sharp.

I started using the Pomodoro technique — 25 minutes on, 5 minutes off. Stretch. Breathe. Let your mind reset. The pause made the work sharper than hours of “push through.”

8. Work smart and hard.

Working smart means knowing why you’re doing something and how it impacts others, your work naturally improves. Working hard means putting in the effort. The magic happens when you do both — you get better results, and the work feels more meaningful.

9. Reframe your “problems”

Some tasks are frustrating, yes. But some are the kind of “problems” that make you grow — the ones that stretch you, teach you, change how you think. I’ve learned to call them challenges instead of obstacles. The words you use shape your perspective.

10. Be a good follower first

Before you can lead, learn to take direction well. Showing up prepared, listening, and delivering without drama. Good followers make great leaders.

11. Life outside fuels the work inside

When the day’s done, actually be done. Go for a walk. Hit the gym. Meet friends. A clear mind makes the work better when you return. Without them, even the best job starts to drain you.

12. Invest in things that recharge you

For me, it was a $200 massage chair I almost didn’t buy. Now, more than two years later, I still use it weekly — sometimes daily. Cheaper than regular massages and worth every dollar for the simple message it sends: your well-being matters.