I asked my personal and professional network this question yesterday:
What is one lesson you've learned in your career that you wish you could tell your 22-year-old self?
And wow, people had a lot to say! I received close to 50 responses in just 12 hours, and they’re still coming in.
I’ll start sharing many of these ‘notes from the field’ on Instagram, but here are a few that stood out:
Table of Contents
On owning your journey:
Live a great story and invest in your relationships with people. All else works itself out.
Jack
Your first job won’t be your last job. Focus on your values, what you’re good at, what you want to learn, and who you want your work to benefit in that moment. Don’t think that the first job will in any way make or break your future career. I also love this quote because I spent way too long in work situations that were toxic or unhealthy for me early in my career: “If you don’t like where you are, move. You are not a tree.”
Briana
Don’t feel like you have to specialize early. Bring past experience to every new role and be able to explain how this is an asset.
Katherine
You’ve got this! Believe in yourself and take your time. Everyone’s journey looks different and that’s more than okay.
Elise
Pick your battles.There’s no single right answer.
Deborah
So many opportunities to have a positive impact will present themselves if you show up and put in the work.
Eduardo
Success doesn’t happen overnight so roll up your sleeves, do the work, stay humble and good things will come when they’re meant to.
Elina
It’s ok not to have everything all figured out. Focus on the next best step and let life take you where it does. Things you can’t conceive of will impact things, so not stressing the big picture will make it all the easier.
Jennifer
On exploring options:
Go live and work overseas.
Frances
Try things early in your career. I also want to note that many of us have privileges that others don’t. There’s no one path. There’s no one right way.
Abigail
Go get a blue collar trade job, you’ll make just as much money in the long run and you won’t lose your soul behind a desk.
Greg
You’re never stuck.
Peter
Don’t be afraid to quit a job if it’s not the right fit. Instead, follow your gut until you find the right one.
Jennifer
On finances:
Never accept the first salary offered – negotiate since that’s what future raises are based on.
Grace
Start saving for retirement EARLY!!
Tracey
On speaking and listening:
Sometimes it is good to just listen and not be heard. It is not necessary to live out loud all the time. If you approach work in this fashion, look for the passion in your work and the mission that drives you.
Charles
Ask others for help and have them share with you their journey of how they got to where they are today. Good people do really want to help.
Mattias
Talk slower!
Emily
You know more than you think you do.
Steve
On mistakes:
Do the work – shortcuts make bad habits that are hard to undo later. Own mistakes and learn from them. Follow through and then follow up.
Mike
On risk taking:
Don’t let fear of making mistakes stop you from taking risks. When you make mistakes, own them and learn from them. Also, don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good
Lara
Risk can never be eliminated… It can only be managed well. Perfection is the enemy of creativity and genius.Take care of your people and let your people do their jobs and take care of the work.When people show you who they are, believe them the first time.
Jackie
On balance:
Have more fun.
Vijay
No one tells you your 20s can be as tumultuous as adolescence. It took me until 30 to realize we’re all just faking adulthood. I hope the myth that you have to have your life figured out in your 20s has been debunked since I graduated 23 yrs ago. Lots of unnecessary stress.
Elisabeth
Make your mental health more important than your bank account. It will lead to a more peaceful and enjoyable existence
Colin
What advice would you share? Let me know in the comments!
