Search Institute

I got back from my morning run today, poured a cup of coffee, and read this great article in the paper. [Advice: working out with a partner is a good idea for those of you like me who would rather stay in bed.]

The writer, Joe McCannon, reflects on his first 10 years of his career and shares 11 things about your new career.
[Advice: it’s good to stop every so often and write your reflections down on paper. You’ll forget your good ideas otherwise.]

Here are his pieces of advice for those of you who don’t have time to go read the article. [Advice: read things in their entirety. Nuance and voice are lost in abridged versions.]

1. Seek interesting problems, not prestigious positions.
2. Seek responsibility, not income.
3. Work is all about relationships.
4. It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.
5. Be good to people.
6. Competence can be a trap.
7. Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be.
8. Make things.
9. Find balance.
10. Find a mentor.
11. Stick around.

Hard to argue with those. I’d say he’s spot on. [Advice: be willing to say out loud (or blog about) the good things you’re thinking about others.] In fact there aren’t many that I would add to the list.

When I work with beginning teachers, I do give them this little nugget: “It’s okay to be well liked, but don’t try to be popular.”

How about you? What would you add? Are there any personal mantras you live by in work? [Advice: when you read blog posts and are asked a question, comment. Comments beget comments.]