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if I were 23 again

the journal of Michael Werneburg

twenty-seven years and one million words

Toronto, 2013.05.20

On an Internet forum, someone asked what advice I'd give my 23-year-old self if I could. This is what I wrote.

Find mentors who can guide you to the sorts of things you think you might want to do & be. This is in every field, not just work. Look at people who are doing/living those things and talk to everyone you meet. Learn everything you can from those people. This will never stop.

Build a reputation for hard work, talent, and integrity. Become natural at networking. I don't know too many people who didn't hit a rough patch at some point. A network that values your skills, personality, and work ethic will make all the difference. Over the last twenty years and on three continents, I've landed seven jobs through networking. I can't tell you how many people I've referred for jobs.

Constantly learn. Read, study, take qualifying exams for new qualifications. Be prepared to retrain from scratch at some point. I'm 42 and planning to head back to school in September for a master's degree as I start what amounts to a third career.

Take your time figuring out what you want. I've found that opportunities tend to come up for those who are ready for them.

rand()m quote

One day you will take a fork in the road, and you're going to have to make a decision about which direction you want to go. If you go one way, you can be somebody. You will have to make compromises and you will have to turn your back on your friends. But you will be a member of the club and you will get promoted and get good assignments. Or you can go the other way and you can do something [...] for yourself. If you decide to do something, you may not get promoted and get good assignments and you certainly will not be a favorite of your superiors. But you won't have to compromise yourself. To be somebody or to do something. In life there is often a roll call. That's when you have to make a decision. To be or to do.

—John Boyd, US Air Force