It's Your Career, Be Smart
Your career is important, and whether you realize it or not, it is more important than the most important thing in your life; and your career is in your hands. Career is either underrated or just managed or let go of, and only a few people consider it to be their life and they are, without a doubt, the most successful people in this world, and most of them are "happily" successful too. These aren't necessarily the people with the highest net worth, but are the ones who have optimized their life's time, focus and activities.
There are many ways and approaches and counselled "steps", but it's actually pretty simple, although we all know how difficult it is to be simple right. Before you plunge into a career, take a deep breath, think and Plan; Study the market and the resources to get there - academic, corporate and Humans; have alternate options or plans as contingencies, because this is life and this life is on Earth, not some paradise or Heaven.
Stay focused, focused on your dreams and interests, and work towards them, and no matter what happens in your life, stay true to your goals and dreams and keep building towards it every single day, despite infinite distractions you may face. Yes, of course take breaks and have some creative interest, or athletic activity, to refresh and reboot your brain every now and then; but keep a timer and always keep an eye on the real prize.
If you have a strong creative passion and want to pursue it as your career, then keep at it with an unwavering zeal, and your bond with your craft should be so strong that any challenge, failure, personal or family issue, or socio-political problem should not affect your bond.
Be realistic, stay focused, and remember, in any field, people are the key. There are key stakeholders and mini influencers in your organization, craft and/or family, and always maintain your calm, patience and persuasive support and alliance with all of these stakeholders with a smile and an emotionally encouraging attitude, at any point of time; if you need a release or to let go, do so in solitude within your allotted time for creative mental reboot and/or any scheduled athletic activity.
Study/prepare for your subject/craft/goal very well, maintain your human alliances very well with conviction, keep working hard and keep challenging your intelligence at the same time, and, above all, there is no place for pride, 100% frankness, or misplaced empathy, and if you want to be charitable, do it on the side and without compromising your resources or time, eye on the prize remember. Work your way up steadily with a determination of steel and the unnerving focus and calm of a monk.
Be Smart, cognitively and socially.
