Why you should also work at a startup!- Here's what working at a startup for One year actually is ...

Introduction

I joined a tech startup a year ago!

At First, I thought I knew what to expect—fast-paced work, innovation, and endless opportunities. Now when I look back -

Man! that dude knew nothing 12 months ago!

Glad that I joined a early stage startup, as nothing could have prepared me for the rollercoaster I was about to board.

In this article, I want to share the 10 most important lessons I learned & whether you're eyeing a job at a startup or already in the game, these insights will give you a clear picture of what it's like to work in this fast-moving, high-pressure environment—and why it’s worth every challenge.

I worked at a small, early-stage startup focused on building SaaS solutions for a niche industry.

Well, How did Land there ?
Thats a whole another story— check it out here!

Let’s get going & here’s my first learning !

1. You Gotta be tough ! gear up baby—Its real world now

Starting off with the striking one , I mean why not!

One of the most important thing I learnt is that now you’re out of college or school life, where you were provided a protected environment and given all things in your hands !

But now your actions will speak for themselves and, in startups especially — One thing that you’re doing is creating opportunities for yourselves. In a way you’re learning to cook your own food when you even don’t know the ingredients yet.

That’s when you know that Now you need to gear up !

No shortcuts. No easy wins. It’s tough, but that’s exactly what makes it worth it.

2. Don't Wait for Permission—Be Proactive or Get Left Behind

When you’re working in a startup, especially in a early stage one. Its said that its like raising a child — You need to be extra attentive and proactive towards what you’re building.

Some small habits that builds proactive behaviour and it makes larger impact. ( These can be picked up and applies right away )

1. Offering Solutions Along with Problems - When you encounter an issue, bring it up—but don’t stop there. Always come prepared with at least one potential solution. You’ll realise you’re developing a solution oriented mindset in the long run.

2. Send a Status Update Before Being Asked - As a general rule of thumb, apply it every-time. I follow this - If someone has to chase up for a status update of anything, you’re already late.

3. Planning Your Day in the Morning - This small habit ensures that you don’t get lost in reactive work, and helps you proactively manage your time and energy.

   Remember -

“You need clarity to do great work, more than hard-work”

3. You’re gonna make mistake’s and that is okay !

   Listen , When I look back at my previous year, I feel like I can be awarded as the Epitome of Mistakes. - I’m not even joking!

   Seriously, if you’re not messing up a bit, you’re probably not trying hard enough.
   I’ve learned that the more you push yourself, the more mistakes you're going to make. And that’s normal.

   What matters is how quickly you adapt, learn from it, and keep moving forward.

Doing a mistake is okay, but beating yourself down for it is a bigger mistake!

4. You’re gonna wear multiple hats— that’s where growth happens.

   When I first started, I was just a Frontend Developer, focused on writing code. But soon enough, I found myself wearing multiple hats—leading projects, interviewing candidates, and managing the hiring process. Before I knew it, I had stepped into project management, and suddenly, I was responsible for leading a team of developers and designers—some with 5-8 years more experience than me.

   That can only happen in a startup. From this experience, I didn’t just gain multiple roles to handle; I also discovered my strengths and weaknesses. I struggled at times, juggling between tasks, but in the process, I found the courage and belief that I could manage it all. And through that, I rebuilt myself, emerging stronger than ever.

Embrace the chaos—juggling multiple roles will reveal your true potential, and that’s where real growth happens.

5. Over communicate if you need to— Clarity Beats Assumptions

   When my team suddenly expanded and I found myself leading a team of 10 developers, I quickly realized how critical communication truly is. Ineffective communication, or even a lack of clarity, can easily waste days—sometimes even weeks.

   You simply can’t afford to lose time on misunderstandings that could have been avoided with just one small question or clarification.

   So, how do you avoid miscommunication and gain clarity?

   • Listen attentively. Make sure you’re really absorbing what the other person is saying.

   • Clarify. Explain your interpretation of what you understood to check if you’re on the same page.

   • Give and receive consistent feedback – Regular feedback loops keep everyone aligned and moving forward.

Clarity is key—ask, clarify, and check in frequently to keep things on track and prevent costly misunderstandings.

6. Lesson 6 - Adaptability

As I mentioned earlier, I found myself wearing multiple hats, often juggling various responsibilities simultaneously. At the same time, I was still in college, balancing assignments, giving vivas, and preparing for exams.

There I learned a crucial lesson: “Adaptability is essential”

Sometimes, projects shifted gears overnight, or priorities changed in an instant, and I had to be ready to roll with the punches. Embracing change rather than resisting it allows you to thrive.

Being adaptable isn’t just a skill; it’s a mindset. Embrace change, stay flexible, and you’ll navigate through any storm that comes your way.

7. Momentum matters

Huh ! This was hard to learn for me!

When I was grinding - I still am. Sometime’s every day felt like a setback! Sometimes everything I was doing looked like a mistake.

It reminded me my third learning - “You’re gonna make mistake’s and that is okay” But also this —

Everyday counts , whether you crushed it today or it was a bad one. There is something that you can take out from the day.

Keep the momentum alive

8. Time management is your best friend!

Deadlines at a startup aren’t suggestions—they’re lifelines.

Again a cliche thing - “You’ve got 24 hours the same as anyone else”

I had to learn to prioritise fast. There’s always more to do than time allows, so figuring out what’s essential became critical. Time management wasn’t just about working fast; it was about working smart.

All the thing about time management is already been said for ages! What did i learn different ?

I learned - Time management is like any other skill, you’ll get better at it by practicing it more often. Honestly, I was terrible at it a year ago—and who knows, I might feel the same way about myself a year from now!

9. Build Systems - Importance of a routine.

When I first joined my startup, I found myself overwhelmed with endless to-do lists and shifting priorities.

Umm, yeah ! I was overwhelmed- I do get overwhelmed often!

To combat this, I started implementing a daily routine that included specific time blocks for coding, meetings, and personal development. I also introduced systems for my team to avoid distractions and make their routines as productive as they can be.

This simple system transforms your work , saves your mental energy and allows you to channel it to the important tasks you have to do.

10. When you believe in people , they do wonders !

I’ve seen it happening for real!

Building a startup is a team sport which means every setback is a team’s setback and every win it team’s win. Thus, any startup or a team , is the people it has.

Believing in them and encouraging them to do things which they might not have thought they’ll be able to do , boosts them.

I’ve got developed a strong belief in this now.

When you believe in people, they do wonders !

---

If you’re reading till this point, I highly appreciate your time & hopefully I was able to provide some practical value from my own experiences.

I’m learning and trying to share my experiences along the way, If you got some value out of this small effort please “like the article” and “comment” - about your key takeaways, or share your own lessons learned along the way!