| Technical: - Don't be afraid to try new things. (this is tech, jobs, locations, people, everything...) - Don't be hard on yourself if something you thought was going to be "cool" or "interesting" turns out to not be. - Don't be afraid to do the things that no one else wants to do. - Evaluate your work/life balance and DO NOT let your work over take your life in the long run. - Companies don't give a *$%# about you as a person, only what value you bring to them as a company. In a lot of ways that is a good thing but understand that when push comes to shove you are expendable. Personal: - Save for retirement, as much as you can (gentle voice, as this can be very challenging at times). Compound interest is an amazing beast that will set you up for life. - Every raise you get put a % in retirement, and keep the rest. You need a real time reward for your hard work as much as you need to save. "Treat Yo Self" - If you need help. ASK FOR IT. Don't sit around and wait for someone to hand you the answer. People are there just waiting to give you all the help you need. - If you ask for help and get a crappy response, file away that person's response and ask someone else. - Record milestones and keep them safe. Then when you need (in the low times) review those milestones and recognize how much you've accomplished. Essentially try to step away from the canvas and get out of the moment in time problem you are stuck in. Last and most important: - Help others, without ego, where you can. You got here by receiving help from so many people, pay that forward. |