Ignore this terrible advise your parents will give you

It's graduation time and the class of 2023 is about to enter the job market. Many economists say that coming times might be worse than the 2008 crises. Parents and well-wishers mean well and they are about to carry out a sacred ritual, which is to give terrible advise.

I have personally endured many crises, started businesses, advised companies to breakthrough successes, excelled in my jobs, and generally been ahead in the learning curve. I have written ten books and defied the norms of what job market and career graphs lay out for you.

The key for me was to ignore the norms, literally do the opposite of what majority feels, because the majority isn’t successful.

To the class of 2023 here is the worst advise you will get from others around you — IGNORE — and do this instead:

1- Find a Big, Stable firm, and Get a Secured Job: Facebook, Google, Amazon, Twitter??? What is common among them in 2023, They are laying off people who have been loyal to them since their founding years. Is that your dream company??

What will determine success of you going forward are the success stories you will create and be able to project. These success stories will depend on how well you were able to use your strengths and skills. So instead of logo shopping, find the right role. I have seen people make more money and succeed a whole lot more in smaller companies than in these big ones.

Even better take risks while you’re young. Start a business. What you’ll learn in 20 years in a job, you’ll learn in 3 doing your own business, even if it failed.?

2- Don’t put all your eggs in one basket, have a Plan-B: This is so opposite of what I know as success. Which is - you commit, persevere, overcome bottlenecks, and you succeed. When failure isn’t an option, you only have one basket.?

Academic research has shown that simply having a fallback plan reduces the likelihood of succeeding in Plan A.?

Believe and march. Trust your brains to figure out what to do if Plan A fails. Don’t do it now because you’ll ensure it fails.

3- Work your way up the ladder: My first ever corporate job was as VP, right after I did my own thing for a few years. Why? Why did I have to not work up the ladder. I added value to the top. Simple.?

Outread and Outlearn every single person you know. That’s not tough coz 99.99% of them don’t even read 25 pages in a year. You’ll have enough in your brains to add value.?

Your position in a company is not determined by your college degree. I had an insignificant Bachelors degree when I was VP, and this was $9B firm. Your position is navigated by you depending on the VALUE you add. Period.

Those who can’t add value, play politics, and remain depressed and static.

4- Don’t worry more opportunities will come your way: You’ll get opportunities now that will take you out of your comfort zone. New city, new country, unknown sectors, alien workplaces, remote locations. You’ll then get into a dilemma, “Should I move or stay put where I have always been.” Some wise soul will walk up to you and tell you to let it go, there is always something better.

Bullshit.

Say Yes to life. People opposed to relocate, or explore opportunities outside of comfort zone, will eventually be in the category of those who got laid off at FB, Google, and alike.

Don’t let opportunities pass by. Your fastest growth is where your greatest discomfort is.

5- you’re earning now, lets buy a home: Lastly the most important thing every young person should know - Cash is king. Money making opportunities interact with bank balances. You either cash them or you can’t.

Remain liquid. Don’t tie your future up in mortgages. Rent your way for a bit. Be mobile. Be ready to hop. Don’t tie yourself down early.?

Invest your cash in things that pay you back, not in things that you keep paying for.

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#jobs ?#graduation?#career #success #achievement

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