While searching my blogger news feed I came across a blog referencing this post on Forbes by Jason Nazar listing 20 things that 20-year-olds don't get about their careers. It is honestly such an amazing article that deserves some recognition. Although I am still under 20 I believe this article applies to and is useful for any age group. Here are some of my favorites from his list:
Time is Not a Limitless Commodity – I so rarely find young professionals that have a heightened sense of urgency
to get to the next level. In our 20s we think we have all the time in
the world to A) figure it out and B) get what we want. Time is the only
treasure we start off with in abundance, and can never get back. Make
the most of the opportunities you have today, because there will be a
time when you have no more of it.
We’re More Productive in the Morning – During my first 2
years at Docstoc (while I was still in my 20’s) I prided myself on
staying at the office until 3am on a regular basis. I thought I got so
much work done in those hours long after everyone else was gone. But in
retrospect I got more menial, task-based items done, not the more
complicated strategic planning, phone calls or meetings that needed to
happen during business hours. Now I stress an office-wide early start
time because I know, for the most part, we’re more productive as a team in those early hours of the day.
Don’t Wait to Be Told What to Do – You can’t have a
sense of entitlement without a sense of responsibility. You’ll never
get ahead by waiting for someone to tell you what to do. Saying “nobody
asked me to do this” is a guaranteed recipe for failure. Err on the
side of doing too much, not too little. (Watch: Millennials in the Workplace Training Video)
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.
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 to fake it as the most accomplished person you could imagine.
(Shout out to Tony Robbins for the tip)
Spend 25% Less Than You Make – When your material needs
meet or exceed your income, you’re sabotaging your ability to really
make it big. Don’t shackle yourself with golden handcuffs (a fancy car
or an expensive apartment). Be willing and able to take 20% less in the
short term, if it could mean 200% more earning potential. You’re
nothing more than penny wise and pound-foolish if you pass up an amazing
new career opportunity to keep an extra little bit of income. No
matter how much money you make, spend 25% less to support your life.
It’s a guaranteed formula to be less stressed and to always have the
flexibility to pursue your dreams.
These few clips from the article don't even do it justice. Reading this has honestly been such an eye opener and I think that everyone should take a minute to skim if not read the whole thing
Click here to view the original: Forbes
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
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