No matter how talented you are, if you do not apply it, it is a waste. Find a way to make an impact on the world, no matter how small.
Only you have your best interests at heart. Don’t be selfish, but do not be selfless.
Don’t worship people or companies, Like them or their work, But be ready to move on. This will save you a lot of dissapointment and will also open you up to trying more things instead of sticking to the one.
Limit your drinking and don’t get fat.
Just because somebody is older or in a position of authority doesnt mean they are right. (Aimed at the careers advisor at school who told me to forget about being a coder as computers are a passing fad)
Don’t be scared to limit (or stop if you are in the position) your contact with people who are toxic to you, That includes parents and siblings.
I’m sure I will think of loads more but it’s time to eat :)
More generally, the grownups don’t know better than you. They are just repeating what they’ve been told by someone else who also didn’t know any better. More to the point, adult life is like high school, only more so.
The careers advisor was about 70 and this was back in the late 80’s when home computers had started getting really popular, I became a coder eventually but it was a setback. But yes, When it comes to what you want, You yourself know beter than anyone.
When worrying about things, assess them using the rule of fives - i.e. Will this still matter in:
- Five minutes
- Five hours
- Five days
- Five weeks
- Five months
- Five years
Gauge the right level of temporal impact and adjust your level of concern accordingly. Few things are as bad as they first seem once you’ve properly assessed them using this rule of thumb 🙂
parents are idiots.
True. Source: am parent.
Adults are just kids who got older. There is no magical wisdom in being an adult. Most adults are dumb and as long as you are very confident, you will go very very far (qualified or not - it doesn’t matter).
Intelligence does not protect you from stupidity.
Confidence is one of the most important traits you can have/develop.
Uncomfortable or difficult things are generally temporary. Many times I avoided doing something, but had I accepted that it was temporary, I could have set up my future to be more comfortable.
