The early years of a budding career or working life can be a very exciting time for a young, ambitious, and hard-working man or woman. Indeed, for those inciteful ones that “get it,” these can and should be foundational years for the building of one’s working future and eventually a comfortable retirement.
As the old saying goes, “Make hay while the sun shines.” In other words, seize the day and this particular time of your life to be the most productive you can be, not only for yourself, but for the people in your life that your future might affect, namely your family and perhaps your own employees.
It does not matter if you have your own family and/or employees now or think you might someday. These early days are the time to start homing in on a place just for you in your working life, and the beginnings of a nest egg of savings from the fruits of your labor, where the beauty of compound interest over decades can do its magic.
“O.K., I get it,” you say. “Seize the opportunity you currently have, to make it the most productive for your current and future life.”
EXACTLY.
“And exactly how do I do that,” you ask?
Just read on to learn some basic principles of turning on your mojo in the early years of your working life, to not only make the most money you can (which should never be your sole objective in pursuing any worthwhile goal, including career goals), but ideally to pursue a passion or interest while getting paid well for it, for decades; and along the way, becoming the best person you can for yourself, your family, and the world.
In that way you inadvertently contribute to the greater good and become an integral part of something much larger than yourself; that is a productive society that serves its people well and efficiently. Use that understanding to fuel your drive to succeed in whatever it is you do. Even better, use your own well-thought-out and crafted motivational fuel to drive yourself to succeed.
Succeed? “What does that mean?” you wonder.
The simple answer is that it means something different to everyone. Universal to all however, is the truth that if you consistently do your very best at whatever path you have chosen for your working life or are currently pursuing, then you have already succeeded, and you can rest comfortably letting your results speak for you.
I have an acquaintance in Florida whose father founded and built two multi-national, public companies, and went on to co-own several other large companies and organizations such as Blockbuster Video and even sports teams such as the Miami Dolphins (football), the Florida Panthers (hockey) and the Florida Marlins (baseball). The two companies he founded and built are Auto Nation and Waste Management. His name is Wayne Huizenga, Sr.
Wayne, Sr. built and acquired all the above by starting out his career as a…
…trashman! A garbage collector!
However, Wayne was not just any garbage collector with a truck. He was the best garbage collector of all the subcontracted “trashmen” in the fast-growing Florida city of Fort Lauderdale, and it wasn’t long before people that mattered began to take notice.
That resulted in more and more lucrative contracts, and his business exploded. The rest is history, and if you want to read a great business book with a lot of take-aways, then get your copy of Wayne Huizenga’s fascinating biography, The Making of a Blockbuster, by clicking here, or on the image below.
The point in bringing Wayne’s story to light is that, early on in his career, he embodied (among others), one very important trait critical to achieving his phenomenal, career success. Wayne would tell you that trait was “grit.” It is the willingness to do whatever it takes and stick to it until you achieve your goal, whatever that goal may be on your career journey.
Now that I slipped in one of the important aspects of making the most of your early career, let’s explore all the basic steps and tips along the way that will be most helpful in boosting your career and your earnings, up the ladder of success.
11 Things to Be and Do to Make the Most of Your Early Career Earnings:
1. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!
I put this one at the top of the list because if you do not believe in YOU, then no one else will, and you will be forever bogged down, like a weight on your shoulders, in your efforts to build your career value and experience.
In addition, you will likely have many of what I call, “non-supporters” along the way. These are the people you will easily recognize in your life as the righteous ones who think their plan for your life is better than your plan for your life. DON’T BELIEVE THEM, BELIEVE YOU!
In other words, they do NOT believe in you. They may call it “friendly advice,” or they may not be that subtle, as were many of the non-supporters throughout my own early career.
To make matters worse, often, your personal non-supporters will be those closest to you (old friends and family), as they realize they can use that power of relationship to manipulate you to serve their own needs of insecurity, naivete, narcissism, or a wicked combination of all three.
So be careful. Guard your dreams and ambitions! God put them inside you for a reason, and that reason is not just to think about them, but also to act upon them!
Go for it! Follow your (God’s) plan for your success and you will surely be rewarded more than you can presently imagine.
And remember, it’s not about the money, it’s about the gift you can give to the world by creating that money. The Universe is calling You… “Please help,” it begs!
Your early career is not a white-collar crime investigation. Don’t follow the money! Instead, follow your God-given passion or interest with vigor as you begin and pursue your working life, and the money will follow you!
Answer the universe’s call for help in your own unique way, your way, God’s way. Go for it!
To paraphrase the infamous Napoleon Hill’s words regarding success, IF YOU CAN VISUALIZE YOURSELF DOING SOMETHING AND BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART OF HEARTS YOU CAN DO IT, YOU CAN ACHIEVE ANYTHING!
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!
2. THINK BIG!
This one seems simple, but not many people can do it, perhaps because of the environment of their past, their present circumstances, or other reasons.
So, if you want to get the full perspective on just how important this trait is, and how you can acquire it regardless of your past or present, read “The Magic of Thinking Big” by: David Schwartz –You can get it here.
Elon Musk did not become the richest man in the world by just thinking about being an electrician, an auto mechanic (Tesla), a physicist (The Boring Company and Space X), a brain surgeon (Neuralink), an astronaut (Space-X), or lately, a media mogul (Twitter).
He acted upon those super-BIG dreams, ambitions, and goals, and pursued them with BIG energy. Elon is a “BIG” and iconic person in history. Study him! He personifies the Magic of Thinking Big, and it made him the richest man in the world at a relatively young age.
“I think it is possible for ordinary people to choose to be extraordinary.”
-Elon Musk
THING BIG!
3. KEEP AN OPEN MIND
I have often said that those who receive their calling in life early on, are blessed with the good fortune of not having to spend precious moments of that life figuring out a path that will sustain them, and perhaps a family until the day they die.
If that is not you, however, don’t dismay. Not knowing your exact path in life early on is not necessarily a negative, and it can actually help you fully explore your limitless options in what the world has to offer you.
Early in my college years, I was studying to become a doctor in a rigorous, 4-year, pre-med program. During that time, I occasionally visited New York City, often spending some fun times with good friends of the family, and the man who would eventually become my mentor of sorts.
Although I had several years of studying advanced sciences in high school and college behind me already, I always had an open mind, consuming all around me like a sponge and processing it regularly.
Howard, my “mentor”, was a Wall Street, municipal bond trader and though not much on mentoring advice, he was an excellent example of what I knew I wanted to become; a hard-working, hard-playing, smart guy who everyone liked, and who knew how to have fun, and make money; lots of it.
More importantly, and what impressed me the most, Howard never let his success go to his head. In other words, pretty much the opposite of a doctor; and I know doctors well, having grown up around them.
Needless to say, my path changed, and I never looked back. While still in college, the world of finance became my passion and has been my passion for decades.
Now, my gift to the world is only what I have learned of the subject in a broad and comprehensive career of roughly 40 years, in the hopes it can guide, help, and add value to the financial life of those I reach.
4. ASK QUESTIONS – DON’T BE AFRAID TO SAY, I DON’T KNOW.
Without a doubt, the smartest people I have known in my life are quite humble and proficient at saying, “I don’t know.” That is one way they learn! Then if you add in good listening, the world is your oyster. We’ll explore that a little further below.
The raw honesty and vulnerability of being able to say you don’t know something, especially when asked, places you in a category above so many. That is the category of credibility and trustworthiness.
Then, when you say something emphatically, and with a background of knowledge and experience, people will listen to you and be confident that what you are saying can be relied upon as truthful, valid, and actionable. You create a feeling of comfort and security that your words can be relied upon enough to act upon them, perhaps putting big money in motion in the process.
5. BE A GOOD LISTENER
The old saying, “God gave you two ears and one mouth for a reason,” is useful to help remember this important lesson: Listening is far more important than anything you have to say!
Why? Because, if you are not listening to others, even when you think you are, when in fact you are just thinking about what you want to say next while someone else is speaking to you, then chances are excellent that you are not being listened to when it’s your polite turn to speak!
Basically, the fewer your words, the greater will be their impact. Pure logic. Force yourself to speak less and listen more! Then, watch what happens!
6. PAY ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS
In the early part of my career at the venerable and iconic, Wall Street, investment research and management firm, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., I was part of a team of institutional, equity traders who were a colorful group of financial professionals, to say the least.
We were all very fortunate to be there, period; but also, fortunate to be there at that particular time in the firm’s history, then just 16 years old since its founding.
It was a time when “The Big Man,” (“Mr. ‘B,” or just “Sandy” as we called him when with him), was still walking the halls of our entire 17th floor of Manhattan’s GM building, puffing on a fat Cuban cigar.
Mr. B. had a tendency to pop in quietly on the plush, carpeted floor of our trading room and show up over your shoulder observing you, and the days action, without your knowledge.
He did just that many times to this author, for one of my jobs was quite important; making sure all of the huge block trades that were flowing across the trading desk were being processed accurately with correct amounts of dollars and shares, and then adding up the trades to determine daily volume.
I can remember times, as I sat at my desk drilled-in to the action of large block trades being “scaled” into the market by our desk traders coordinating with our floor traders on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, all on behalf of our institutional clients, when suddenly, I would feel a very large and strong set of hands on my shoulders from behind me as I leaned into my screen.
Except for the first time, I would always know it was Mr. B., and instantly engage in market action conversation, as I turned to greet him. We were always moving fast on the desk.
Mr. B. always had a positive thing to say to you or about your work, and if you needed it, some subtle encouragement to do better.
Much like the time I remember we crossed paths in the hall for a brief moment, and in a quick greeting, before going on his way, Mr. B. said something to me which I will not only never forget but have applied to my own working and personal life ever since.
The venerable and iconic Sanford C. Bernstein himself softly said to me these 7 magic words, “John, don’t forget to shine your wingtips.”
Instantly, I knew he was not trying to be picayune or insulting. Mr. B was never that way, and I wasn’t even wearing wingtip shoes. So, I thought he must be just suggesting I get my nice cordovan leather loafers a quick shine downstairs or from the guy who came to our desk weekly.
When I looked down at my shoes, I was not surprised to note that my shoes did need a bit of a shine. They certainly were not shining as if recently attended to, but they really were not that bad and certainly not something someone would take notice of, or at least I thought not. But my employer and friend “Sandy” B., did notice.
Still, I did not believe that the intention of this amazing man’s words to me that day were to spruce up the wardrobe of one of his employees. As I speedily continued down the hall, I could not help but wonder just what Mr. B. was trying to tell me, and, as close as I was to him, I certainly was not going to make it a point to ask the very busy CEO.
It took me many years of thinking back on that moment in time, pressing through the early years of my career, and it was not until long after Mr. B. was gone, that he seemingly gave me the answer from above.
Mr. B’s words were, “Don’t forget to shine your wingtips,” which was simply a metaphor.
What I realized many years later and what I am sure he did as well when he said it, was that his real meaning in those words was, “John, don’t forget to pay attention to the details.”
My loafers that day were just a prop the very wise Mr. B., in an instant of time, used to give me the gift of a life lesson I have carried with me for 40 years, and I will be eternally grateful to him for taking that instant of his time on this earth to impart that valuable wisdom on me.
Pay close attention to the details…show up early, not on time; always look your best, always have good manners, and of course always know your stuff (which is not really a detail; it’s a basic tenet; but you get the idea)!
PAY ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS!
7. ALWAYS BE LEARNING (GROWING)
“If you’re not growing, you’re dying,” is a common, though a bit morbid, expression, but one that has real value in heeding it.
If you get excited about learning, great! You will find this tip easy to implement. If you do not enjoy learning, then you can learn how to enjoy it, to your own advantage.
Start with a subject you love, whatever it is, and immerse yourself in it. Become an expert in the subject. Invest your time in learning whatever is you can, not only of your passion or interest, but all the world has to offer. If you do, I promise you that you will reap valuable returns for the rest of your life.
Side Note: The richest (Elon Musk) and the 12th richest (Warren Buffet) men in the world, and very smart men as well, say they spend as much as 5 hours a day, reading = learning!
8. ALWAYS BE LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO FURTHER YOUR SKILLS, THEREBY ADDING VALUE TO YOURSELF AND YOUR COMPANY
Do this by constantly learning more about your field or craft and do it by your own initiative. Do not wait for opportunities to come to you. Be prepared first, then create your own opportunities. I can assure my readers that the more you learn, the more skills you acquire, the more opportunities will open up to you for you to pursue, while using the tips above to do and be the best you can.
9. COMMUNICATE THAT VALUE IN A DIPLOMATIC, POLITE WAY TO THOSE ABOVE YOU THAT MATTER –
Learning and acquiring new skills is always a good idea, whether you do it just for your own enjoyment and self-improvement, or to add to your marketable value in whatever you working life finds you doing.
However, if you are trying to improve your marketable value and you have, you are not done, but just beginning. You have merely laid the foundation, (and that is always a necessity to success), now you have to build the house.
You do that by reaching out to the world to tell them who you are, what you know, and what you can do, for them.
Reaching out to sell your skills is a broad subject of marketing, and a bit beyond the scope of this article, but you can study the subject of self-promotion and implement what you learn. I highly suggest it.
COMMUNICATE YOUR VALUE!
10. PLAN YOUR PATH
GOAL-SETTING – You would think this tip would be further up the list, but it is here for a reason. You must get traction first, becoming somewhat proficient in the tips and steps above. This then gives you a solid foundation of time, experience, (and if you’re smart. some discretionary funds /savings to create some flexibility).
Then you should work backwards from your ultimate dream to your 10-year goal, 5-year goal, 1-year goal, then monthly, weekly and daily goals, and finally your daily tasks to reach that ultimate dream.
This is a basic process, but one that works. Try it!
PLAN YOUR PATH – SET GOALS!
11. JOURNAL YOUR PROGRESS
LIST YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS – It is always important to track your progress on any voyage you undertake, including your own personal voyage to financial freedom and security.
Do this not only for yourself so you can review your accomplishments and successes, but use it as a tool to add to your professional resume and/or portfolio to share with future employers, etc.
RECORD YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS….and….
ENJOY YOUR JOURNEY TO PERSONAL CAREER SUCCESS, WHATEVER THAT IS TO YOU!
