Always be watching for work or play that you'll love, enjoy,
or that will fascinate you.
Learn how to get to your creativity.
Know how you learn best. Look up the nine intelligences by
Howard Gardner.
Some work you can no longer do, or won't want to do as you
age. You probably don't believe that if you're young. Ask
some old timers.
Changes will happen that are beyond your control.
that can't be outsourced or sent overseas
that uses your creativity
that requires empathy
that is hands-on
that can't be automated
Take time to try different things.
Be open to trying(almost)anything.
Talk to those who are doing or have done different work.
Old
timers are the grand prize here, talk to them.
There can be discoveries about things you never knew you
liked.
You'll be picking up different skills. You can't have too
many of those.
They're the only real way to learn.
Don't make the same one twice.
Don't beat yourself up for making them.
You'll end up dissatisfied, sad and alone.
Know how, when and where to save and invest
Be allergic to debt.
Don't borrow for fun, borrow only to make an investment in
your future.
Look for ways to avoid boredom.
Amaze yourself with what you actually can do.
Watch for skills you can use and then learn them.
Watch for your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and
threats.
Find the risk to reward ratio you are comfortable with.
Know that it's all about how well you take care of others.
Always do the right thing.
Solve the problem, get the result.
Don't whine, complain, make excuses, blame others or behave
badly. These are not acceptable and they will cost you
dearly.
There are the only four answers that those who will pay you
want to hear:
Yes
No
I don't understand
Sorry, my mistake, how can I fix it?
You're being watched to see if you're worth spending the
time and effort on to teach you the more advanced stuff.
Don't take offense too easily, but don't tolerate unethical
or abusive bosses.
Know that your patience, attitude and willingness to
cooperate will be tested.
You can do the work at your own pace and get it done
quickly.
You must have at least a high school diploma for most decent
paying work now.
The social skills you learned mixing with a lot of different
people will be very valuable.
Social skill will do you more good than intelligence.
You have a very clear goal that you're burning to accomplish
and no other way to get it done. Note: There's often
another
way if you get creative.
You try getting some hands on experience in that kind of
work before taking on the debt. See #2, "may lose it's charm
over time" up above.
You have done the math. You know how much paying back
student loans will drop your income over the years. This is
OK compared to the increase in lifetime income. You realize
that the income is never guaranteed. It is guaranteed that
you will be paying back the loan.
You think that college may be the best way for you to learn
something. Sample a few classes first, just to be sure.
A smart, skilled tradesperson will make more in lifetime
income than many college graduates.
No student loans to pay back
Get paid from day one to learn the trade.
There's usually a shortage of those who can do this work
well, so, if you're good, it pays well.
It's easier to have your own business once you're skilled.
It's a portable skill. You can go almost anywhere and do it.
Re-read #3 about "hands-on" and "can't be outsourced or sent
overseas"
Wars traditionally make rich men richer and everyone else
pays the terrible price.
We do need a good national defense.
In trade for a large risk of being injured or killed, the
military will train you well.
Many employers value military training over schooling.
Military recruiters have been known to lie. Get any promises
in writing.
Look for the big picture, the long view (how will it roll
out over time), try to see things from other peoples
viewpoints.
You don't need absolute goals but be clear about where you want to go. Write that down
Trust yourself, particularly your intuition.
90% of success is just showing up.
Being there IS the best experience.