7 Tips for the New Graduates

Graduation “season” is well underway. So for the new graduate, let me offer the following:

As you begin your life’s journey, you will come across more things that you will not like before you find that one thing that “clicks.” That search is a good thing because you are learning a lot as you go.

You’re at a great time in your life and it’s time to “get in the game.” Here are several points to keep in mind :

Recognize that you alone are responsible for your life , career and future, and that you can create situations where you are the master of your circumstances and not a victim.

You can have whatever you want , but recognize that you must work for it and earn it. Vince Lombardi once said, “The dictionary is the only place where success comes before work.”

Far too many make the voluntary choice to perform below their full capabilities because they think it may be too hard to do otherwise. Don’t be one of them.

Regularly question the “status quo” and be open to finding or creating new opportunities.

See mistakes as an opportunity to learn something new so that you keep moving forward.

Don’t run from fear, confront it. Learn to take smart risks. Remember, turtle moves forward by learning to stick out his neck.

Try to learn something every day – stay sharp and keep an open mind.

Related: Where Does Wisdom Come From?

Many new graduates find it easy to follow the crowd, seek safety in numbers and then get comfortable in their world of “sameness or average.” However, when they see others outside of the crowd achieving success , they complain! As Yogi Berra once said, “Don’t always follow the crowd, a lot of people go there and it gets too crowded.”

It’s your time to strike out on your own. Don’t try to be perfect. Perfect is boring. Just give it your best effort on a consistent basis. Your future is out there waiting for you to create it.