Why are systems important?
GiphyBusiness is primarily conducted in Excel by default. There is no organization or company that is not based on a firm foundation, and constant motion of data. How an entity deals with their data, is the first indicator of organizational success. Can a company exist on solely Excel? While it's possible, it gets messy. There is no reason why departments in multi-million or multi-billion dollar companies should be existing merely by trading messy documents around in their internal structure. I would say even the same for a small company. Systems, or databases that are easily accessible by management, and provide stellar functionality, are a true game changer in business, for any industry.
Why software developers should take note:
GiphySoftware development is often treated like slave labor for major industries. Are big bucks in code? 100%. But so is a struggle, mental fatigue, and hard hours. Not that programming isn't rewarding, but different workloads are right for different people. Personally, I could never see myself doing back end coding for projects that were not in an environment that was supportive, and uplifting. There are an incredible amount of developer and system architect positions in Salesforce, that will exist in any company that uses the Salesforce software for their business needs. You may be working for a company that uses the system, but you'll be a software engineer or developer for that specific system. One that is so large now, your skills and experience are incredibly marketable. Not only that, but the only resources for performing every sort of developer, and architect task are extensive in Salesforce's online library. The salaries in Salesforce, regardless of the ease of the system, are incredibly competitive in the six-figure range. Many companies who hire Salesforce support at this level offer remote positions, which would mean you could be in Italy while you impact your corporate business in Dallas, Seattle, or wherever the headquarters is for your business. (Yeah, I know, goals).
Why computer lovers who hate code should take note:
GiphyCoding is not a necessary evil for those who find it evil in a Salesforce career. In order for Salesforce to run smoothly in any organization, administrators are necessary. While a comprehensive understanding of how moving parts work together, an ability to problem solve and a keen eye towards technological details are important as an admin, so are basic business skills such as understanding business processes and presentation skills. A Salesforce administrator career, with an average salary at 95k, is one that is incredibly rewarding for those who have technical skills but are not necessarily wanting to code their life away.
Why anyone who wants a future in any leadership role should take note:
GiphyWant to own your own chiropractic business? Going into healthcare administration? Want to work in the university sector? Perhaps 10 years from now you'll find yourself wanting to give back to the community and decide to volunteer for a local non-profit. Maybe you even dream of being a business owner, or an executive leader of another. Regardless of where your career takes you, data is the basis of business, and business is the basis of society. Profit may be the driver, but data will give you the leads necessary to get there. The business process in between is what makes up customer-relationship management. Without organization, it's impossible to make an improvement.
Salesforce, with an incredible product and outstanding company culture (which landed them #1 on Fortune Magazine's Best Place Work list in 2018 and #2 in 2019 after Hilton), will continue to lead the industry of data, so take note. But perhaps if you don't now, you'll definitely notice them when they build the highest skyscraper in the closest metropolitan area to you as they expand their "hubs", or primary workplaces for their large workforce. Building the tallest skyscrapers in every city possible happens to be one of their favorite pastimes.
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I Limited My Social Media Usage And I Challenge You To, Too
My worth is not defined by the amount of likes I get.
Every morning at 8 a.m., my alarm goes off, I roll over, and the first thing I do is check my Snapchat only to open a bunch of pictures of the top of someone's head, or the wall, or — my favorite — a black screen. This is something we're all guilty of, myself included. We all know that social media is becoming an addiction amongst us, so why do we still use them in an unhealthy way? Why are our friendships defined by who has the longest streak? Why are our perceptions of others based on the most perfectly posed presentations of people? Why is our self-worth dependent on the number of double taps or shares or comments?
My world used to revolve around social media.
Every time I posted a picture on Instagram, I would constantly refresh to see how many likes I had accumulated. The worst part about that is I would get upset if I didn't get any likes in the seconds between each refresh.
If I got bored or had some downtime between classes, I would spend hours just scrolling through the same posts, hoping to find something different.
So much of my life was wrapped up in the superficiality of social media posts to the point where I no longer knew who I was. I would see pictures of my friends who ended up at the same college and feel left out, I would see girls from high school joining sororities, I would see people looking so stunning and having so much fun, and I let that be the thing that influenced how I felt.
Social media consumed me. It made me forget all the wonderful things I have in my life. It made me value a photo opportunity more than just enjoying the moment for what it is. Let me tell you that a moment is no less valuable just because it isn't visually appealing.
I've recently started using the Screen Time feature on my iPhone. I set a two hour per day limit on my social media usage, and when that time is up, I can no longer open the apps. Since then, I've been spending more time face-to-face with the people I care about. I've reconnected with old hobbies. I feel less stressed. I stopped comparing myself to others. I learned to be happy with myself.
I limit my social media usage because all the time I've spent aimlessly scrolling through Instagram is time I could've spent going for a walk and enjoying the warmth of Spring.
I limit my social media usage because I value face-to-face interaction. I value hugs and laughter and all the other things you can't get from a screen.
I limit my social media usage because it hurts my feelings when other people are on their phones when I'm trying to talk to them so how can it be right that I do that to someone else?
I think about how dependent on social media we have become, and it makes me so grateful that the sun is too bright to see our phone screens outside and that the mountains raise too high to have good cell service. I'm grateful that my friends make me laugh so hard that I don't even think to check my phone.
So, I challenge you to separate yourself from your social media. Even if it's just for a day. See how your life changes.