The blog post you wait all month for is here-PR current and future pros reflecting on their careers and lives in a “letter to my younger self” format. This month we feature Jordan Punches, resident 834 public relations coordinator.
So here’s the deal, I already spend way too much time being introspective, but never take the initiative to do anything productive with it. Honestly, who has time for that? I had always thought that the vast assortment of random ideas that rush through my anxious mind were too convoluted to consider, but the older I get the more I have realized the value of sorting the jumble. Surprisingly, there are a few gems in there!
Below is a mini glimpse in the mind of Jordan (insert advanced apologies here). I hope what I have learned and done in my life thus far will be useful to someone out there. Enjoy?
Ok…Jordan,
Let’s get a few things straight right off the bat. You are capable of whatever you put your mind to. You will inundate yourself with work and always happily over-commit your time. Great for experience, not your health.
For our sanity, I have compiled a list (you love those!) to help you deal with…you. Read them, then go back and actually READ them because we both know you are about to skim this and miss all the important details. Deal? Deal.
Here you go:When everything is wrong…it’s not.
Motivation can be found in the most obscure places. Namely in your failures. Fall on your metaphorical face. Actually…fall on your metaphorical face, tumble down a steep hill and then lay on your back at the bottom staring into oblivion and contemplating what just happened. When you’re done doing that, get off your ass and get back at it! Believe me, you are going to come back at it in full beast-mode. As much as you hate failure, sometimes you need it to give yourself a reality check.
You do YOU!
People will continually remind you, “Don’t compare yourself to others.” You won’t listen, so try this instead. Realize comparison can be a starting point for motivation. Note: “starting point.” That means DON’T stop at comparison. People will be doing great things all around you because you surround yourself with all-stars. See them, learn from them and go do your own great things.
Humor and humility.
Practice both. Often. Your ability to laugh at yourself and smile in even the most stressful of times will be your saving grace. OFTEN. These are some of your strongest qualities. Hold them close, they will keep you grounded and “sane.”
Sleep more.
Even a little nap can and will make a world of difference for your productivity. Don’t feel bad
about giving your brain and body a break.Take time.
You have a lot of things going on all the time. Get used to it, it is your fault. But, learn how to separate your work life from your personal life. Your friends, family and colleagues will all thank you. More importantly, you will thank yourself.
Don’t stop learning.
You love to learn. Do what you can to always try new stuff. The internet is a glorious thing, but there are hundreds of books that are worth reading. Dwindle your reading list whenever possible.
Push yourself.
Challenges are complicated, yet rewarding adventures to pursue. Don’t hold yourself back. If you’re not stumbling over yourself at first you’re probably doing it wrong. If you are comfortable, it’s time to find a new obstacle to conquer.
Money.
Work hard to make it, but don’t make life about it.
Take help, you need it.
You barely know anything now. This is another thing to get used to. Your motivation will get you into trouble, but there will always be people behind you to catch you when you fall. Don’t push them away.
Give back; say thank you.
Remember the all-stars I mentioned above? NEVER forget about them or the value they add to your life. As hard as you work in your career, you would be very little without what they provided you. Support. Friendship. Laughs. You need these things. Your people will always come through. #SQUAD!
This could go on, but we both know you have things to do. Don’t forget to come back and re-read this. I didn’t write it just for fun and contrary to your belief, you do forget to do a lot of these things. Don’t do that anymore.
Now go get on with your bad self!
Later,
-JP
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