What Will You Tell Yourself in 20 Years?

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Graduation time is upon us - so much has been learned, so much learning awaits. Some things are cool to learn, some not ~ I wish I’d learned more from others and spared myself a lot of pain. So, to my students (and friends & clients of all ages), here’s some advice that those of us who graduated in the 20th century wish we’d learned upon entering the ‘‘real world.” Please add some and share them with me!

  • Show, don't tell;

  • Know what you can, and can’t, control;

  • Show up!! Be Present!! Don’t wait around for things to come to you!

  • Use your skills & interests (you have more than you think) - the more you say it, the more you become it! Volunteer! Engage!

  • Be your own best advocate - don’t wait for someone else - talk about your talents & victories;

  • Don’t be afraid to fail - it’s a form of learning & applying … and it means you tried;

  • You may be able to have it all - but not all at once;

  • Just because you get along well with your peers, doesn’t mean you’ll be a good manager;

  • It’s good to feel out of your depth - it means you’re learning;

  • Talk to people, ask them about their stories, meet them where they are - and say Thank you!

  • Be willing to take time ‘off’ your career path for a sabbatical if you want;

  • Change on a dime by putting in a nickel;

  • Experience!

  • Love yourself and those around you;

  • Be joyful - it’s more meaningful and lasting than being happy;

  • Ask for help! Not knowing takes guts, courage and it’s how we learn;

  • Say yes to more hard things than you want to do - grow your comfort zone;

  • If you believe it can be awesome, it can;

  • Don’t be surprised by your successes!

  • Always do something for someone else, always give back;

  • Be curious, open and skeptical;

  • …