Learn them before it’s too late:
1. Your boss is not your friend
Your boss’s priorities won’t always align with yours – maintain boundaries
2. Effort alone is not enough
You need to work hard on the right things, and in a visible way
3. You’re replaceable at work, not home
In 20 years, the only people who will remember you worked late are your kids
4. Who you know beats what you know
Building a network, and nurturing it consistently, is critical to success
5. Careers aren’t straight lines
You will face setbacks and detours – and how you adjust is what counts
6. Degrees aren’t everything
Skills and attitude matter more than a degree – and that gets truer with time
7. Loyalty is rarely a two-way street
Don’t hold yourself back out of loyalty; in hard times, it won’t be returned
8. Burnout will find you
Set healthy habits or burnout will eventually get you, no matter how much you love work
9. Comfort kills progress
You grow when you take risks, not when you play it safe
10. You have to self-advocate
Speak up for what you need, because silence says everything is okay
11. You can’t ever stop learning
If you aren’t continuously learning, you’re continuously falling behind
12. The right feedback is critical
Don’t shrink from feedback – it’s necessary for growth; but filter out feedback from those you don’t trust or respect
13. Balance isn’t given, it’s taken
Set strict boundaries or others will control your schedule for you
14. Dream jobs are just dreams
Don’t wait for perfect – find a job that fulfills you and helps you grow
15. How people perceive you matters
Intentionally build your personal brand, offline and online – it makes a difference
16. Time is far scarcer than money
We can re-earn money, but never time – be much stingier with the latter
Don’t wait to figure these lessons out the hard way.
Use this sheet to learn from the mistakes of others,
And set yourself up to thrive.
Kenrick Vaz 