Advice Id Give To My Twenty-Something-Self Entering the Workforce -

Advice Id Give To My Twenty-Something-Self Entering the Workforce - I’m at a point in my life when I think I can  fairly  claim to know a few things.    I’ve had many years of  work experience spanning restaurant,  legal,  academia,  pharmaceuticals and the publishing/film  industries. And there are things  I wish I’d known when I was starting out.  So, here’s a shot at bestowing some of that wisdom on upon the next generation.         Reputation is  Everything.     Reputation â€" people’s  perceptions of you  arent  hard to create, but theyre tough  to change.    A big part of reputation is  likeability.    So be cool, catch bees with honey, and for goodness sake, smile.     Speed is Important, But Quality Matters.   You want to get work done quickly, but taking a break  and coming back later,  or  even  the next day,  can  significantly  improve quality.    Pausing to  sense-check  your work  vis-à-vis new information of environmental factors is  a smidgen slower and a ton  smart.   Keep Secrets.   Keep Promises.   There’s a Fine Line Between a Groove and a Rut.     In a groove you’re confident, you  know the niches in which you excel.    It’s  a good place.    In a rut you’re  bored and possibly  stuck.   People might want you stuck.    The only way out of  a rut is through change.   Save Money.     Having a chunky savings account can make you less afraid of change.     YOU  Own Your Future.     Don’t let others dictate where you go, they’re motivations may not be aligned to yours.   Accept That  You WILL Have Bad Days.     Many days you’ll rush to work excited to pick up on yesterday’s work, but  many days you won’t.  Working hard can feel really good,  maybe even give you a rush,  but  it’s hard  and  it’s work.   It’ll All Work Out.   You might eat crow,  you might get  embarrassed, you might be tired, you might fail, you might be wrong, you might get fired,  you  might  get laid off. It might not feel like it will, but I promise, it will all work out.   Maybe not today, maybe not next week.     Make Friends at Work…with everyone.     Here’s the  thing about people you meet through work… they’re  more likely to be different than  you  than the friends you  meet at your kid’s school or  your neighborhood and you’ll ultimately be richer with a diverse group of friends.    You don’t know it now, but some of them will be  forever friends  who can help you on those bad days  and convince you that it’ll all work out.   Take Feedback Seriously.     It’s easy to brush off  or  defend  criticism.    But, when it  comes from a good place, which is not uncommon,  it’s  better to unpack it  with careful consideration regarding changes you may make.     Principles are Worth More Than a Paycheck.   If it doesn’t feel right in your belly, it’s probably wrong.   Thank  yourself for that  aforementioned  savings fund, because  it  may give you  the confidence  you need  to say  â€œno.”   It’s Okay to Not Know.     No one knows everything, except that guy who  thinks he knows everything.   Most people don’t like that guy.   Most people enjoy sharing their knowledge when you ask: “Can you explain it to me?” There are  those  who like the extra power of knowing more than you do;  I call  them  â€œBad Witches.”   Learn to Tell the Good Witches from the Bad Witches.   I hope you make friends and you’re likable and  people answer your questions, but here’s the reality:  There are plenty of Bad Witches.   The first step is recognizing them.   The second step  is believing  that others will see it too,  eventually.   Eventually may be  a long time.   In the meantime…   Do a Good Job and The People Who Matter Will Notice.   You’ll work for a long time,  and most of that time it’s rewarding and fun and exciting.   You’ll learn and experience, maybe travel.     My wish for you, 20-something-Cindy, is that you’ll come out  of this work thing smarter, savvier, financially secure, with a pack of friends and colleagues  who hold you in high regard and that one day you’ll be able to help the next one in line.   This guest post was authored by Cindy Callaghan Cindy Callaghan is the author of the middle grade novels  Lost in London,  Lost in Paris,  Lost in Rome,  Lost in Ireland  (formerly titled  Lucky Me),  Lost in Hollywood, the award-winning  Sydney Mackenzie Knocks ’Em Dead,  Just Add Magic  (which is now a breakout streaming original series), and its sequel  Potion Problems. Her newest novel,  Saltwater Secrets, is coming April 28, 2020. She lives in Wilmington, Delaware.   Photo credit to: Lighteous Photography Do you find yourself saying there are things I wish Id known more often than youd like?   Tell us about them!