However, I think I would have also wanted something more to specific to
apply to my day-to-day life. In the spirit of sharing more practical advice
based on what I’ve learned throughout my career, here is my best advice to my
20-something self:
1.Always show gratitude: If someone has done you a good turn, take a
moment to express genuine gratitude by mail, email, text, or a few words and
smile. It’s a gracious way to live. As old-fashioned as it seems, mailing a
hand-written card to a potential employer or dinner party host leaves a lasting
impression.
2.Remember: Whether
you’re riding high on good fortune or you’re wallowing in the dumps of tough
times, things move on and so will you. Be grateful when things are good. And be
grateful for the things that are good when other things are crumbling around
you.
3.Never expect someone
else to advocate for your best interest or to navigate major life decisions: While there are people who will want to help
you, you know yourself and what you need best. Take whatever time you need to
research, learn and to create your best options. From great options, make good
decisions.
4.Maintain your
professional reputation: Avoid
burning bridges with those you’ve worked with. If anything, invest a little
time to continue cultivating your past relationships with colleagues. You never
know when you might cross paths again in business.
5.Every night, think of
three positive things from the day :– no
matter how minor. This is another way experiencing gratitude, but it’s
more introspective. Gratitude has been documented to generate success in individuals.
6.Exude
confidence: You only have one body.
So be comfortable in it. Confidence in yourself will spur confidence
others will have in you. Don’t have the confidence? “Fake it ‘til you make it,”
as they say.
7.Surround yourself with
people who nurture you and encourage you: This
is true in both your professional and personal life. Anyone else can be a
distraction at best and an energy drain at worst.
8.Be generous with
yourself: I don’t mean that you should go on a
buying spree. Be more practical than that. For example, make your bed in the
morning as a small comfort for when you’re tired after a long day. You will
feel a little more cared for. In addition to investing in as much as you can in
your 401(k), set aside savings for the opportunity to advance your education.
Even if you don’t end up going back to school (graduate school or otherwise),
you will have a safety net if the economy goes south. Spend 150 minutes a week on yourself by incorporating
cardiovascular activity. If you don’t have your health, everything else falls
away pretty quickly.
9.Understand that job
interviews are a two-way street: View
them as career interviews. The company is as much of a candidate for you as you
are for them. After all, if you’re going to be spending 40+ hours per week
somewhere, it’s important to be fully informed about how much they will enable
your career growth. I always ask job candidates if they have any questions for
me. What
you ask is sometimes as important as what you’re answering.
10.Mistakes can be gifts: Whether a learning experience, a
happy accident, or a humbling experience, mistakes can serve us
well. Don’t be afraid to make them. Just try not to make the same one twice.
Source: http://www.forbes.com/
