One of the students I mentor just graduated and will be starting a job with a Big Four consulting firm. In our last conversation, she asked what advice I had for her as she begins her career. I thought about it for a second and told her what one of my early mentors told me: “Pay attention to what matters.” She asked, “What matters?” I was glad she asked as I shared this advice with her, and now I’m sharing it with you.
Friends Matter: True friends—not colleagues, workers, or buddies—are important. A true friend is someone who supports you, helps improve your self-confidence, is honest, and is there for you when things get tough. The best way to develop friendships is to be a friend yourself.
Giving Matters: As a marketer, you know that reciprocity is one of the keys to effective persuasion. However, I’ve found that it’s always best to go first; don’t wait for someone to do something for you. Give with no expectation of return, and you’ll be surprised how much comes back to you.
Learning Matters: I saw a recent study that said 42% of college graduates have never read another book after college. This is distressing to me. You need to keep learning and growing to succeed in your life and career. Lifelong learning will help you improve your skills, build your self-confidence, and help you get unstuck and remotivated when you’re feeling bogged down.
Values Matter: In “Hamlet,” Polonius offers this advice, among other things, to Laertes: “To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.” In other words, know your values and stay true to them. Be a person known for your honesty and integrity. Do what you say you will.
You Matter: This may be the most important piece of advice of all. Take care of yourself: mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually, and socially. If you don’t, no one else will. Self-care helps you cope with the daily problems, large and small, that life throws your way. You can’t perform well if you don’t take care of yourself.
There you have it—advice given to me over 50 years ago. I think it’s still very relevant today. I’ve put this advice to use in my life and career and have reaped the rewards. I urge you to do the same. Feel free to pass on this advice to any young people you know. It should help them get started on the road to a successful and happy life and career.
