First, welcome to the real world. It needs you. Its needs your energy, your enthusiasm, your fresh eyes. Your open ears. One of the first things you'll notice about this world, as opposed to the academic realm you leave, is this: it's easier in school because in class you get the lesson first then they give you the test. Out here, you get tested first. And then you're taught the lesson. But at least you're getting paid.
A few life lessons I'll share with you. First, remain a student. A student of whatever it is you do for a living. Keep learning how to do it better, faster and smarter. Stay apprised of what the best and brightest in your field do to keep setting the pace. And adapt whatever that is to what you're doing. Hey, some of the best ideas I've ever come up with I stole. But I gave credit.
Second, and this a variant of the first lesson, never give up the right to know more tomorrow than you did today. You'll be amazed at how many big-time people out there, in all fields, think they know it all. They don't, of course. Some don't even know what they don't know. Try to avoid having a boss like this. You will find that people who know it all are almost always the ones who know the least.
Third, and this is my most radical piece of advice, don't waste precious time and energy attempting to strengthen your weaknesses. Be aware of them, yes, but work on making what you do best become even better. If you're a good negotiator, work on becoming a brilliant one. If you're good at analysis, develop the reputation for being the resident analytical expert. Same for writing skills, quantitative skills, speaking, project management, sales, whatever. Obsess on your assets. Make them more valuable. People admire and remember one, prominent strength more than they admire a variety of skills that are simply OK.
Finally, look at the world through the eyes of the people you're trying to convince or persuade, not through the lens of whatever agenda you want to further. In sales and marketing, companies always do better when they're selling what people want to buy than when they're pushing what they want to sell. The only way to know this is by looking at things from the outside in. This is seldom done, as it turns out. It's part of why so many products, companies, and people aren't as successful as they thought they could be. Especially the know-it-alls.
Now go do it. Good luck!
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