I recently got a message from a 22-year-old reader asking for career guidance.
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As you can think of, I get a lot of these messages and demands at this point, but I still do my best to react, particularly when I feel I have a differentiated point of view or value contribute to give the conversation.

Career advice is a topic location that I have always found interesting, most likely because I feel it so frequently misses the mark.

As Atlantic author Derek Thompson once properly mentioned, "With employees across countless occupations in hundreds of markets, saying anything that is of usage to all of them is virtually difficult. The most common counsel is usually too personal to be broadly relevant."

So, of course, being wired the way I am, I take this as a difficulty.

In response to my reader's demand, I sat down and manufactured the guidance I would have wished to get early in my career (or what I would inform my own kid if he were simply beginning).

Importantly, all of the products on the list are:

- Applicable throughout domains and profession paths
- Useful and appropriate throughout all seasons and stages of your career
Here are the 7 pieces of profession recommendations I shared with my 22-year-old reader ...

# 1: Swallow the Frog

" If it's your job to eat a frog, it's best to do it very first thing in the early morning. And if it's your job to eat two frogs, it's best to eat the most significant one initially." - Mark Twain

For Mark Twain, the "frog" is the thing you don't want to do. By eating it first thing in the early morning, you build momentum from doing the toughest thing first.

This "knowledge" provides among the biggest hacks to get ahead early in your career: Swallow the frog for your boss.

1. Observe your employer and find out what they hate doing (their "frog").
2. Learn to do it.
3. Take it off their plate (swallow their frog).
This is a clear method to include worth, installed a win, and develop momentum.

# 2: Do the "Old Fashioned" Things Well

In a world that has actually forgotten the fundamentals, there are basic things that still stand out.

Some examples:

- Look individuals in the eye
- Do what you state you'll do
- Be on time (or early!).
- Practice good posture.
- Have a positive handshake.
- Hold the door.
- Be kind (never ever gossip!).
It may sound ridiculous, but these things are all totally free, completely within your control, and will never ever go out of style.

# 3: Strive First (& Smart Later)

Over the last several years, it has become very stylish to say that hard work is overrated-that working clever is all that matters.

Wrong.

If you want to achieve anything meaningful, you have to start by working hard.

Build a track record for hard work-take pride in it. Then you can begin to construct take advantage of to work smart.

If you have actually been a reader for a while, you know that I'm a huge believer in balance. But I'm an even larger follower that the early years of your career are the perfect time to do hard, unscalable, out of balance things to construct a structure for future balance.

Leverage is earned-not discovered.

When you're beginning out, you should not be focused on utilize. You ought to be focused on creating value anywhere and everywhere.

Hard now, smart later on. Earn your take advantage of.

# 4: Build Storytelling Skills

An observation from having the privilege of hanging out with some amazing leaders:

World-changing CEOs aren't the most intelligent individuals in their companies.

They are extraordinary at:

1. Aggregating data, and.
2. Communicating it merely & effectively.
Data in, story out.

If you can develop that storytelling skill, you'll constantly be valuable.

# 5: Build a Reputation for Figuring It Out

At every step of your career, you'll be offered a great deal of jobs you have no idea how to complete.

Imposter syndrome will inevitably set in-you'll question how you can possibly be expected to do this thing that you have actually never ever done before (not to mention do it well!).

There's nothing better than someone who can just figure it out.

- Do some work.
- Ask the crucial questions.
- Get it done.
If you do that, people will contest you.

# 6: Show Up Early (& Stay Late)

Appearing early and remaining late is a complimentary method to materially increase your luck area.

In my experience, the most fascinating side conversations and opportunities came up before conferences started or after they ended.

When you remain in the space, you're most likely to get pulled into a follow-up call, coffee, or conversation. At worst, you gain from observing the off-camera interactions.

Remaining in the space pays off handsomely in the long run.

Note: This is harder to do in a fully-remote or hybrid setting. Look for luck-expanding scenarios as much as possible (in-person group get togethers, optional workplace days, in-person coffee chats, and so on).

# 7: Dive Through Cracked Doors

Saving my preferred piece of advice for last: If somebody cracks open a door that might present an opportunity, dive through it.

I recently had 2 experiences that bring this to life ...

These two young guys (18 and 22) were attempting to deal with me on a project, but my schedule was proving hard for a call. They stated they needed to remain in NYC for a fulfilling the next day and offered to fulfill personally. I agreed, because it was more convenient for me (and I always prefer in-person to a call). We fulfilled, struck it off, and agreed to start interacting on the project.

They later on told me they didn't need to be in NYC at all. They had actually scheduled it after I stated yes to the conference! I split open a door, they saw the opportunity, and dove headfirst through it.

Another example occurred simply last week when I met the young reader who had reached out to connect. He said he would fulfill me anywhere I wanted, so I sent him a coffee shop near my home. We chatted for an hour and as we were leaving, I asked how far he lived.

Turns out he had driven in from Pittsburgh (7 hours!) for the coffee. I cracked open a door, he saw the opportunity, and through it.

I 'd bet the house on all 3 of them.

Career Advice That Doesn't Suck

In your career, there will always be a lot that feels annoyingly out of your control. But just like all things in life, if you focus your attention and energy on what is within your control, you'll always be much better off.
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