Career Advice I’d Give To 20-, 30- and 40-Something Year Old Me

Career Advice To 20-Something-Year-Old Me

Start that business. You have sufficient technical and business skills, and you can figure out what you don’t know. Take the chance now while you have little at risk.

You’re not the standard everyone else is supposed to live up to. Work on your own faults. They are legion.

Your boss is your boss for a reason. You’re not the boss for a reason too. When you understand and accept those reasons, you’ll reduce the workplace friction you keep experiencing.

Meritocracy doesn’t mean what you think it means. Being good at your job doesn’t mean you deserve a promotion.

More responsibility comes easy, because no one wants it. More compensation comes hard, because everyone wants it.

Business owners who cheat their partners and customers will cheat their employees too. Run at the first sign of dishonest business dealings.

Career Advice To 30-Something-Year-Old Me

Define your goals so you know when you’ve reached them. Otherwise, you’ll exhaust yourself with endless effort.

You are your own worst critic. Take yourself less seriously.

When you work for someone else, you are a replaceable component in a larger machine. This is by design.

You don’t matter as much as you think you do.

Hard work and success are not directly correlated. Hard work is important, but don’t overemphasize it. Develop emotional intelligence and make some friends.

Who you know is usually more important than what you know.

Big wins only come with some risk. Unsure bets are worth considering.

Relaxation is not laziness but a necessity.

Be honest about what you’re doing for the family vs. because you want to.

You don’t know your co-workers just because you work with them everyday. Don’t be naive.

Career Advice To 40-Something Year Old Me

Your spiritual life and your mental health are intrinsically linked. Ignoring one imperils the other.

You can influence others by your actions. Determine to be a positive influence.

Others will take everything you give them, and still ask for more. Learn how and when to say no.

Habits form with daily repetition. If you want to form a good habit, don’t skip days.

Don’t shift focus because a goal isn’t quickly achievable. Be patient while maintaining the long view.

Freedom is found in restraint, not consumption.

Your life is at least half over. Stop wasting time doing things other people think are important.