As You Prepare to Launch

To my dear daughter…and countless other outstanding young people…as college graduation draws near.

As the day quickly approaches when you will don the cap and gown, I’ve been thinking back to my own college graduation. And remembering things I wish I had known as I entered the “real world.”  Every parent wants to spare their child the pain of learning life lessons the hard way!

 
In an effort to support your successful launch, here are 10 of my top nuggets of wisdom (many of which I have learned the hard way):
                         

1. Boundaries are important. When you care about doing your work with excellence, it’s easy to keep saying “yes” to your employer. (Generally, there is an endless supply of new projects for a capable employee.) And to feel guilty about ever saying “no.” Learn to exercise your “no” muscle. You won’t lose your job. And you’ll be able to have a life outside of work. 

2. Everyone has a story. People can clean up pretty well and look as though life is perfect. No one’s life is perfect. And giving even the most challenging co-worker the benefit of the doubt is wise. You never know what burden someone is carrying.

3. Don’t compromise your ethics. Ever. If you thought the gravitational pull of “everyone’s doing it” applied in your high school and college years, it’s even worse in the business world. Prepare to be shocked. Applying the “sunshine test” is an easy way to evaluate a decision: if what you were doing or saying became public knowledge, would you feel good about it? If not, don’t!

4. Keep a “lessons learned” log. For every job and assignment, keep notes. Record the positives and the negatives. Observe your leaders: the things that you find inspirational and motivational, and the things that get on your last nerve. It will provide a wonderful source of wisdom as you move up the ladder. 

5. Write thank-you notes. Not just thank-you emails or thank-you texts. Pen on paper, with a stamp affixed to the envelope. It doesn’t take much time, and will truly set you apart. It’s a way of saying to the recipient: “You matter.” 

6. Treat everyone with kindness and respect. So many people are chameleons, treating those above them reverentially, and those “under” them as lower class citizens. Ugh. That’s not who you are. 

7. Keep “the main thing the main thing.” Start your day with God. (Even if you have to sacrifice a little sleep.) Remember that He is your true source of strength. And ultimately, life is about bringing Him glory. Your worth comes from being a child of God, not based on the job you have. Easy to know in your head but forget in your heart. Avoid the trap of becoming a human “doing” instead of a human being. 

8. Give others a hand up. Remember the kindness and support that has been generously extended to you. Do that for others who are starting out.

9. Embrace your failures. Yes, even all-stars fail and make mistakes. And when that happens, don’t endlessly flog yourself. Learn from your mistakes. They will provide some of the best career development you can imagine. Learn from them, and then move on.

10. And last but not least…don’t forget to call your momma! And please remember: I’m always here for you.