Continuation.. Take Responsibility for Your Mistakes– You should be making lots of mistakes when you’re early on in your career. But you shouldn’t be defensive about errors in judgment or execution. Stop trying to justify your F-ups. You’re only going to grow by embracing the lessons learned from your mistakes, and committing to learn from those experiences. You Should Be Getting Your Butt Kicked– Meryl Streep in “The Devil Wears Prada” would be the most valuable boss you could possibly have. This is the most impressionable, malleable and formative stage of your professional career. Working for someone that demands excellence and pushes your limits every day will build the most solid foundation for your ongoing professional success. A New Job a Year Isn’t a Good Thing– 1-year stints don’t tell me that you’re so talented that you keep outgrowing your company. It tells me that you don’t have the discipline to see your own learning curve through to completion. It takes about 2-3 years to master any new criticalskill, give yourself at least that much time before you jump ship. Otherwise your resume reads as a series of red flags on why not to be hired. People Matter More Than Perks –It’s so trendy to pick the company that offers the most flex time, unlimited meals, company massages, game rooms and team outings. Those should all matter, butnot as much as the character of your founders and managers. Great leaders will mentor you and will be a loyal source of employment long after you’ve left. Makea conscious bet on the folks you’re going to work for and your commitment to them will pay off much more than those fluffy perks. Map Effort to Your Professional Gain– You’re going to be asked to do things youdon’t like to do. Keep your eye on the prize. Connect what you’re doing today, with where you want to be tomorrow. That should be all the incentive you need. If you can’t map your future success to your current responsibilities, then it’s time to find a new opportunity. Speak Up, Not Out– We’re raising a generation of sh-t talkers. In your workplace this is a cancer. If you have issues with management, culture or your role & responsibilities, SPEAK UP. Don’t take those complaints and trash-talk the company or co-workers on lunch breaks and anonymous chat boards. If you can effectively communicate what needs to beimproved, you have the ability to shape your surroundings and professional destiny. You HAVE to Build Your Technical Chops– Adding “Proficient in Microsoft Office” at the bottom of your resume under Skills,is not going to cut it anymore. I immediately give preference to candidates who are ninjas in: Photoshop, HTML/CSS, iOS, WordPress, Adwords, MySQL, Balsamiq, advanced Excel, Final Cut Pro – regardless of their job position. If you plan to stay gainfully employed, you better complement that humanities degree with some applicable technical chops. Both the Size and Quality of Your Network Matter– It’s who you know more than what you know, that gets you ahead in business. Knowing a small group of folks very well, or a huge smattering of contacts superficially, just won’t cut it. Meet and stay connected to lots of folks, and invest your time developing as many of those relationships as possible. (TIP: Here is my Networking Advice) You Need At Least 3 Professional Mentors –The most guaranteed path to success is to emulate those who’ve achieved what you seek. You should always have at least 3 people you call mentors who are where you want to be. Their free guidance and counsel will be the most priceless gift you can receive. (TIP: “The Secret to Finding and Keeping Mentors”) Pick an Idol & Act “As If”– You may not know what to do, but your professional idol does. I often coach my employees to pick the businessperson they most admire, and act “as if.” If you were (fill in the blank) how would he or she carry themselves, make decisions, organize his/her day, accomplish goals? You’ve got to fake it until you make it, so it’s better tofake it as the most accomplished person you could imagine. (Shout out to Tony Robbins for the tip)
Posted on: Sat, 27 Jul 2013 06:23:12 +0000
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