Why Should You Not Burn the Candle at Both Ends?
How this idiom can be helpful if you are starting a new project
In one of my early jobs as a Marketing Engineer, I was also beginning a course in Sales and Marketing. My boss gave me a piece of sound advice during my first few weeks on probation with the company. He advised me not to “burn the candle at both ends”.
He was correct. I need to learn new skills quickly and possibly work a little later. I had to postpone my course until I settled into my new job. Not many of us are good at multitasking, although I cannot say this of everyone.
Some can; some can’t. You need to understand your working style and energy level throughout the day. While a task is easy for one person, it may be stressful for another.
We need to be very focused when working on a new project, and this idiom serves as a good reminder. Why can’t the candle be burned from both ends? There are at least three possible reasons:
1. A new task requires extra time to learn
In doing any new task, we need time to set up, explore and learn. Simple things may take a little more time. For example, if you are new to writing on Medium, you need time to read what others are writing. Finding new writing topics could also be challenging for any new writer.
2. The new task needs our ability to focus
Some processes require your attention to write down, remember and execute. For example, if you are a new sales engineer, you must read and understand your products’ specifications. It would be beneficial if you also discovered what your competitors are offering and know your product’s unique selling points. Hence, you must concentrate.
3. The new task needs a unique skill set
No two jobs are the same. For example, if your company promotes you to be a designer from a previous customer service position, you need to learn new skills. The skills you developed as a customer service person will not be the same for a designer.
Hence, if you are now developing a new project or a personal endeavour, you should do one thing at a time. Avoid multitasking.
Do not try to burn the candle at both ends. Any new task requires time and lots of attention.
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