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Recently had the opportunity to connect with an impressive group of rising stars from Year Up in Washington, D.C. to talk life, career and education. As many of you know, I love sharing tips, insights and frameworks that have had a positive impact on my personal and professional journey. Below are the 5 pieces of advice I gave to these incredible students. And if you’re reading this, I hope these tips help you too! 1. Your uniqueness is your superpower…“blending in” is a comfortable and easy default to slip into especially when you’re in a new environment, feeling unsure of yourself and your abilities, or not clear on your vision. Remember that your perspective, your story and your opinion is what makes you unique. Use these things to innovate and bring that missing piece to the puzzle.? 2. Confidence and competence go hand in hand…no matter what you do, do it confidently…but make sure you’re prepared. Confidence is like a muscle; the more reps you put in, the stronger it gets. Do things regularly that build up your skill sets, and in turn you’ll gain the confidence AND competence you need to excel.? 3. Stack good days…do at least one thing each day that will help you hone your craft, or become more knowledgeable about the things you’re passionate about. You’ll be surprised how quickly the benefits compound. 4. Proactivity is your competitive advantage…if the opportunity you want doesn’t currently exist, do everything (within your control) to go create it. Ask for help, come up with a plan, observe the attributes, behaviors and mindsets of the people that are successful in your field and TAKE ACTION. Slow progress beats no progress 10/10 times. 5. Be a Ruppell's Griffon Vulture….in other words, take a bird’s eye view approach with most things. Get clear on your vision, your goals and what the “big picture” looks like for you. From there, let that be the guide for all of your decisions. Go slow, be intentional and always make choices that will put your future self in the best position possible to succeed. *Fun fact – the Ruppell's Griffon Vulture is the highest flying bird in the world*
