02/03/2023
Oh man. Well at a certain stage of one’s career (note the word “age” is carefully crafted into the word “stage” in this context - I never noticed it before, now I do, daily), one is often asked about “career advice.” It’s become a regular appointment on my calendar, “### - career discussion.” I am always humbled and honored to try.
There’s no disguising I’ve been around a while. And the reality is my life experiences are based as much on time, place, and fate as they are on ability and capability.
But I do have a few observations so far. I still have miles to go, by the way.
So here we go:
Obstacles. Failures. Fears. Hardships. Bad people.
These are your true friends. These are the stones upon which you sharpen yourself.
Embrace lack of clarity; it’s called “life.”
Every job, every project, every relationship is your opportunity to be different…to shine.
And you do have a choice every time: Imbue whatever it is you’re undertaking with you, your style, your unique perspective…or, you can do what’s merely expected, generally accepted; and predictably, you will forever remain a commodity.
Trust yourself (yes I know how hard that is). Trust comes from failure - not success - becuase without failure you will not learn how to succeed.
Invest in your vision of you.
Learn how to listen well.
Do not be afraid of standing alone…of saying “I disagree”… or calling out mediocrity.
Be an expert, becuase thanks to the explosion of easily obtained general information, the world is swimming in generalists.
It’s not and never will be an easy path.
There’s breakage along the way, sometimes a lot of it. Bring enough emotional glue to try to fix it; but some things are beyond repair. Recognize that reality, accept it, apologize if warranted…and move on.
People generally lead the lives they choose. But there are some true victims in this world. Help them if/when you can. Empathy is a superpower.
And…when someone shows you who they really are, often in life’s toughest moments, you better believe them. Even if it breaks your heart.
You must stand up. You must speak out. You must say “yes” to hard stuff and “no” to short-cuts.
And understand that progress means stumbling towards happiness like the rest of us.
Trust yourself.
