What I’ve learned about success… is that 

Success, as I see it, is tied to one’s happiness and well-being. It’s a concept with many different meanings: for some, it’s reaching monumental heights like Elon Musk, for others it’s the quiet, hard-won triumph of greeting another sunrise amidst life’s hardships. Success is about achieving your goals and aspirations – having a positive and satisfying sense of fulfillment. 

However, life often presents comparisons with others who may seem more accomplished, smarter, richer, younger or prettier. In these moments it’s important to assess whether these seemingly ‘more successful’ people are really feeling happy. 

My advice is to avoid comparison. Aim to be your best self every day, define success on your terms and take consistent, small steps towards your goals. Remember, true success is feeling satisfied with your achievements, not how they stack up against others. 

What I’ve learned about communication… is that 

Communication is built on the ability to listen and empathise. You can nurture communication skills like plants in a garden, yet a high level of emotional intelligence is an inborn gift, much like having an intuitive ear for music.  

Truly listening to someone is like peeling back the layers to reveal what lies beneath; you hear not only their words, but also the unspoken emotions and the subtle nuances of body language. The same message, delivered in different tones, can change its impact as dramatically as a play with different actors. Taking the time to listen deepens relationships, whether with family, colleagues or customers. For me as a salesperson, effective communication and listening are the lenses through which I understand and meet customer needs. 

Remember that in a team, each member is a unique piece of the puzzle, coming from different backgrounds and with different communication styles. It’s like having a key for every lock – understanding the right way to communicate with each team member, tailored to the purpose of the conversation. 

What I’ve learned about personal growth… is that 

You should never stop learning new things and, whenever possible, put yourself in situations that push you beyond your comfort zone. To me, this is the essence of growth, much like a plant reaching toward the sun for nourishment and strength. 

Being flexible, going deeper than the surface, and avoiding rash decisions are like navigational tools in my professional journey, guiding me through the unknown sea. These practices have been the wind beneath my wings, helping me to reach new heights in my career. 

When it comes to changing mindsets, I firmly believe that nothing is random; everything has a purpose, like pieces of a puzzle waiting to reveal the bigger picture. Even if the reasons behind certain events are as elusive as shadows today, light will eventually shine and understanding will dawn. And remember – the best day is always today. If not now, when? It’s not about living for the moment without foresight. It’s more like planting seeds today for a garden you want to see bloom tomorrow. Don’t put off what’s important or desirable for an uncertain future; embrace it now, because time waits for no one. 

What I’ve learned about work-life balance… is that 

I see the balancing act between personal and professional life as a quintessential challenge of the 21st century. We’re living in an extraordinarily active and dynamic time, where societal narratives often create unrealistic expectations. It’s as if you’re supposed to have it all: a soaring career, be a devoted partner and parent, have a vibrant social life, excel at sports, quote Kant casually, speak six languages fluently, and look like Naomi Campbell in her heyday. 

But achieving perfection in all these areas is like trying to tune an orchestra single-handedly – a task that is both daunting and impractical. Stretching yourself to play so many roles can lead to a breaking point, much like overloading an electrical circuit. The truth often comes with experience: it’s about prioritising, not chasing every ambition. There has to be a balance, a way to move seamlessly from professional commitments to personal life, like flipping through different chapters of a book. 

My strategy for dealing with this is to put things into perspective. When I am faced with a problem, I compare its magnitude to the greater challenges faced by others. This often leads to the realisation that what I perceive as a problem is actually a situation with a solution, sometimes even several solutions. It’s about distinguishing between what’s really critical and what’s just a bump in the road. 

What I’ve learned about mistakes… is that 

Mistakes should be seen as valuable opportunities for growth, both in our personal lives and in our professional journeys. It’s often said that we learn best not from the mistakes of others, but from our own. Learning from our own missteps is like navigating a labyrinth; it’s a personal journey where we discover our limits, our preferences, and the boundaries we won’t cross again. Mistakes may not be our most treasured memories, but they are essential milestones on our path to self-discovery and authenticity. 

As I reflect on my career, I see each experience not as a mistake, but as a valuable thread woven into the fabric of my life, contributing to my growth and learning. These experiences, no matter how challenging, have helped shape me into the person I am today. They’re more than just events; they’re chapters in a book that tells the story of my journey to where I am now. 

— Olga Petrașcu