The iconic "Wear Sunscreen" advice originally comes from an essay titled "Advice, like youth, probably just wasted on the young" by Mary Schmich, a Chicago Tribune columnist. It was published on June 1, 1997, and quickly gained popularity for its wise, straightforward, and often humorous life advice. Schmich's essay was later adapted into a spoken word song by Baz Luhrmann in 1999, called "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)," which further propelled it into global popularity.
The essay is filled with nuggets of wisdom on how to live a fulfilling, meaningful life. Some of the main pieces of advice include:
- "Wear sunscreen" – a literal and metaphorical reminder to protect oneself from harm and to think long-term.
- "Don’t worry about the future" – an encouragement to live in the moment and not be paralyzed by the unknown.
- "Do one thing every day that scares you" – a call to embrace challenges and personal growth.
- "Remember compliments you receive, forget the insults" – advice on self-worth and managing criticism.
- "Enjoy your body, use it every way you can" – encouragement to appreciate what you have and take care of yourself.
- "Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it" – a reminder to think critically about guidance, yet stay open-minded.
These tips cover everything from self-care, confidence, resilience, and mindfulness to handling relationships, seizing opportunities, and maintaining perspective.
The advice in "Wear Sunscreen" resonates well beyond personal life and can be applied to business too. Here’s how some of the key points relate to professional life:
- "Wear Sunscreen" – Plan for the Long Term: Just as sunscreen protects you from long-term damage, businesses need to think strategically about sustainability, reputation, and resilience. Protecting your company from market shifts or internal challenges is essential to enduring success.
- "Don’t worry about the future" – Focus on the Present Work: In business, while planning is important, constantly worrying about what might go wrong can lead to indecisiveness and inaction. It’s crucial to focus on what can be achieved now and adapt as changes arise.
- "Do one thing every day that scares you" – Embrace Risks: Innovation often comes from taking calculated risks. Trying something new, whether it’s a product launch or entering a different market, can push the business forward. Don't let fear of failure hold you back.
- "Remember compliments and forget insults" – Value Constructive Feedback: In the professional world, feedback (both positive and negative) is abundant. It’s easy to get discouraged by criticism, but learning to filter out unhelpful feedback and focus on constructive comments can drive growth and morale. Building a culture where positive achievements are celebrated helps boost team motivation.
- "Be careful whose advice you buy" – Listen Selectively: In business, you’ll receive advice from many sources, but not all advice is relevant or helpful. Seek mentors or consultants who understand your industry and business goals, and be mindful of advice that doesn’t align with your values or vision.
The wisdom in "Wear Sunscreen" offers a foundation for resilience and a healthy mindset. Applying these principles in a business setting encourages leaders and teams to:
- Take care of themselves and the company for the long term.
- Embrace change without fear.
- Focus on present actions to achieve future goals.
- Build a positive workplace culture that values growth and feedback.
- Seek meaningful mentorship and support.
Just like sunscreen protects your skin from damage, these principles act as "protection" for business, fostering longevity, adaptability, and success in a constantly changing world. ?????
