I’m going into a new job. Here’s what I’ve learned these past few years that I want to give to myself as advice.
Work hard, but not constant pedal to the metal. The most successful people are hardworking, like mom says. The most hard-working people are not typically the most successful. Work hard, but know how to work smart.
Always be kind to others, and respectful to yourself. Use FAST skills when you need to stand up for yourself. Be courteous, respectful, and kind to others, but don’t be a pushover. Be generous but set boundaries.
Make time for the people who matter the most in your life, and the pets. Make time for yourself too; treat yourself as you would treat your family.
Life is worth living, even with painful events and moments in it.
Listen to others. People like to think about their own problems. When working with others, listen to their concerns.
Focus on what you can control. Show up and work hard. You won’t get everything you want, but you’ll sure as heck maximize your odds of getting it.
Work on radical acceptance for some things that are difficult. Accept it with your whole spirit and body.
Remember that you are not your past. You are not your thoughts or your emotions. You are not a single action. You are a whole person, and you will keep making mistakes. Learn from them. You aren’t a good person or a bad person. You’re a person. You’re perfectly imperfect. But you have the best of intentions when you stick to your values.
Dialectical reframes. Keep doing them.
Think big picture. When you’re doing little nitty gritty tasks, don’t forget the larger purpose.
Remember your values. From your past, you learned that the things that are most important to you are compassion, integrity, kindness, and courage (the ability to keep going, even when you feel scared and hopeless).
Don’t lose your adventurous spirit. Try new things. Travel to new places. Take on new hobbies. There’s so much to explore in this world that you’ll never get through it all.
Stay curious. Curious to learn more about the job. Curious to learn about new industries. Curious to learn about other people and the context that has shaped them. Curious about yourself. Curious about your emotions. Curious about who you will become.
Think about all the dreams you had as a kid. If it scares you, it’s worthwhile.
Don’t waste time reinventing the wheel. Ask for help. Don’t take on more than you can chew. Quality over quantity.
Be honest and yourself. The fit will become apparent. This is true for romantic relationships, friendships, and professional positions.
Vienna waits for you.
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