Top 10 List of Things Learned Over Way Too Many Years

Before Stephen Colbert, David Letterman hosted The Late Show with David Letterman from 1993 to 2015. One of the signature segments was the “Late Show Top 10,” where he would pick a topic and put a humorous spin on the top 10 items regarding a particular theme.

At the almost halfway point through the schoolyear and having lived through some stuff in the past few years, here’s a Top 10 that I would share with early career me if I could.  

From the Home Office in Wahoo, Nebraska, the Top 10 things that would have saved 24-year-old me some grief if I had listened early in my career. Odds of my listening? Not great. But here we go!

10. Change happens; nothing will stay the same forever. Adapt or perish. Looking back, I had years professionally that were high times, and sometimes I was somewhat aware and sometimes not. Presently/professionally, I think I’m in a good place, and I know I’m working with many unique, funny, and talented people, and now I remind myself of that on trying days. 

9. Rescue an animal or a few. Sounds melodramatic but save a life. Pets are expensive, see #2. 

8. Recreation, continue this. Do not give up what you enjoy, although scaling back will be necessary. Life becomes more complicated, and you will have less time. Do NOT give up what is fun. However, when certain things are no longer fun, find new things. Injuries, changing circumstances, and aging can impact how well you can do things. Be ready to let go of things when the fun is gone but be open to trying new activities. Being new at something and seeing rapid improvement can be a blast. 

7. Relocation, you will be ok. Things happen in life; moves are sometimes needed. Starting over may mean loss of professional capital and a job you think you loved (see #10, nothing lasts anyhow). In the next job, be nice, work hard, and find opportunities to share what you know without being a tool about it. There will be unexpected positives along the way. Make sure you are open enough to see those. Be patient but also see #5 if it's not working out right away.

6. Find professional interests in your career and dedicate time to developing some expertise. Become a resource in an area where people learn to come to you for insight and advice about a topic. If you can find something interesting AND useful, jackpot!

5. Jobs- you are not required to stay anywhere forever, and nothing stays the same. Be careful of job hopping, but if you have more bad than good days at a job, LOOK. Everyone should quit at least one career-type job. The feeling when you have had it, have a new job lined up, and give notice is incredible. BUT...be respectful and professional throughout your departure. Leave with integrity and knowing you did your best until the minute you walked out. I’ve had jobs where I think I left a lasting mark on the organization and others where the only mark I left were tire tracks on the way out of the parking lot.  

4. Opinions, have strong ones (personal and professional), but hold them loosely. Use evidence and don’t worry if you change your mind. Your opinions are not you and don't use your opinions to be a jerk.

3. Maintain fitness. This is similar to saving; it’s easier to maintain and build when you start young and continue. Don’t wait, you have way more time than you think (shut up, you do). 

2. Start saving for retirement immediately and as much as you can. Top out the tax-sheltered annuity and open a Roth IRA. Max out the best you can. Your 50s will be here before you know it. Pay for financial advice (fiduciary - early on, workplace advisors are ok but ASAP, hire someone after doing some research and finding the right person).

And the #1 thing I would tell 24-year-old me. 

Don’t forget or take relationships with your spouse/partner/significant other and friends for granted. It’s much easier when you are young and have more time than you think you do. It’s really easy to let things slide when life gets busy. It’s never too late to try harder. But right now, you have way more time than you think (shut up, you do). Be appreciative (same goes for old me too).