A Career Day List
“My sister said I wouldn’t keep the job for five days. I stayed for fifteen years.”
The retired Wal-Mart greeter with cerebral palsy showed me some of his favorite country music CDs today after a show, and I saw the framed article on his wall about his good work.
“I’d always joke with the customers. They loved it.”
Now I can’t grumble about “working too much” or being “too tired.”
It’s inspiring what people can do. It seems we’re built for load.
I’m talking with some local high school students tomorrow at their Career Day. I’m not quite sure what I’ll tell them, but I know we’ll get into some good conversations.
Driving home from Charlottesville’s book talk this evening (a shout out to 2nd Act Books, Daphne, Rich, and Bob), I lapsed into a reverie while the 80’s jams played.
What would I have liked to know as a young creative?
Here’s a brief list. I’ll be printing this out and giving this to ‘em tomorrow. (I’d love to hear your thoughts, too. Leave a comment if you’ve got a good idea to add.)
A Few Things I’ve Found Along the Way
Three books
How to Win Friends and Influence People (Dale Carnegie)
Rich Dad, Poor Dad (Robert Kiyosaki)
Steal Like an Artist (Austin Kleon)
A useful skill that’s surprised me
Photoshop (and other Adobe products, like video & audio editing, and layout software).
Sales are
Solving other people’s problems.
People are generally (and reasonably) concerned with their own problems.
Can you figure them out? Ask them! And then solve them if you can (or help in some way).
Something that’s surprised me
How much I enjoy working, and how it can make me better.
Something that annoys me
LinkedIn.
Limitations can be good
Famed conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein once said
“To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan, and not quite enough time.”
Deadlines make me do stuff.
A Life Hack
If you ask, most people will tell you how they did amazing things, especially over coffee.
Wolves often…
Won’t tell you what they’re up to. Honest people do. If someone refuses to share details with me, or won’t answer basic questions about a deal, I don’t stick around to see how they’ll cut me.
Beware advice
And unearned wisdom that isn’t yours. While I stand behind what I say, and consider it true, I currently drive a Kia. Make of that what you will.
Start Now
(See above.)
Why are you still reading this? Go build something! :)
- Josh
A darn nice evening at 2nd Act Books. I’m pictured with Rebecca Keese (center) and owner Daphne Spain.