Graduation Redefined
Graduation Redefined
Spring is a time of renewal; it’s the cusp of summer- when textbooks are closed, and new pages are turning.
Congratulation on your graduation! It's a milestone on many levels. Some of you may be graduating high school, some are just getting ready to land, literally, of course, we all know those seminary girls take a while, and some are graduating from certificate programs, college and even work opportunities. (According to statistics January is the most “popular” time for employees to leave their jobs, but if you asked me I’d say June, it seems easier to be lax and “take a break” come summertime 😊)
I’ve realized that graduating isn’t something that happens by default, but rather something you can strive to achieve. If I were to write a letter to myself, circa May 23, 2017, this is what graduating truly entails.
Analytics: Before you take an opportunity, do your homework. My mother often quotes Rabbi Avigdor Miller who said: “Look before you leap, but once you do make the most of it." Otherwise, it will lead to...
Bounce Rate: Millennials are infamous for staying at a job for a short period and thinking they gave this position “the best years of their life.” Sometimes it’s okay to leave a job or a challenging situation.
Content: No, not creative content...Learn to be content. Trust me, I shun complacency, and I try to be healthy and - I call it realistic with a smidge of delusions of grandeur - content in every aspect of my career.
Dynamic: Keep things interesting, don't stay stagnant, learn new skills whether they pertain to your field of career or interests. It's not about finding a job that's interesting to others but finding something that interests YOU.
Engagement Rate: Ladies, this ones for you :) I hear this term All.The.Time., whether it's in a work capacity and we're discussing keeping customers engaged and interested and of course amongst my peers. Marriage is not a race. And it's not a competition either! Everything has to happen at the right time, there's no “winners or losers” so long as your being true to yourself and what you're looking for.
Friction: You know what they say “Small children small problems, big kids big problems…” Growing up lends insight to situations we only read about, events that we could never envision until it's you. I think maturing is all about overcoming new challenges with as much control, and grace as possible. The ability to be objective and diplomatic is one of the greatest graces we can bestow challenging situations.
Google: Learn IT. IF YOU CAN CRACK THE GOOGLE ALGORITHM - PLEASE REACH OUT, I WANNA BECOME #BFFS!
Lifetime value: In seminary, I had the mentality to grab opportunities by the horns, because I knew I would regret it after the year is over. Add some of that energy to your everyday life. Don't stay home, go places and it will take your places.
Qualified Lead: If something sounds like it's worth pursuing, don't hesitate. One of the hardest things a person will have to face is the realization of how differently their lives could've been had they taken specific opportunities. Don't limit yourself to the confined spaces we create for ourselves. Best case scenario, you get what you want and then some. Proverbial worst case? You face rejection, and that only builds character. #WinWin.
ROI: Your network of connections will yield the highest Return On Investment. Maintain a retainer, with your friends, colleagues, anyone that enters your network.
SEO: Seek Every Opportunity. If opportunities don’t seem to be coming your way, build the inertia so that it can find you.
Smarketing: In any field, but marketing specifically. It can take a while to find your niche. Don’t be hard on yourself; it’s okay to learn on the job and gauge whether you want to become more proficient in different aspects. Don't hesitate to ask for help; a smart person isn't someone who knows it all but preferably someone who learns to know what to ask.
