As a senior in college, I’ve always prioritized learning outside of the classroom to gain hands-on experience and had the opportunity to work at incredible places across various industries. I’m incredibly grateful for the chance to explore innovative and transformative settings, especially in the Big Apple.
I’m certainly not an expert in anything, most likely average at best, but I do have dedication, persistence, and am obsessed with consistency, traits that serve me far better than I could imagine. Habits > talent for sure.
This summer, through some luck and good timing, I got the chance to work at a top-tier investment bank. Going through several rounds of interviews knowing there’s less than a ~2% chance of getting in wasn’t easy. Imposter syndrome is real.
Fortunately, my personality, conversation skills, and EQ helped me get through the door more than anticipated.
Although hard/technical skills are usually known for getting one past the first stage, at places where competition is fierce and seats are prized, standing out can sometimes be based on how well you’re able to carry a conversation, easily get along with others, and your enthusiasm for the markets!
Being able to take any boring topic and make it the most thrilling story in the world is golden. After all, people remember us for how we make them feel. Being boring is boring and all too common. Good personality isn’t learned overnight so never deny the power of soft skills!
From startups to Fortune 500s, there are so many lessons, too many to count, I’ve picked up on that no matter how many books I could read on these topics, I would never be able to truly grasp them as well or barely touch the surface until I got to practice them hands-on.
For my audience of ambitious go-getters and personal finance enthusiasts, I thought it would be beneficial to share some life lessons I’ve picked up on along the way.
This is not an extensive list, only the ones I’ve needed to remind myself of lately and came across recently. If you’re looking for more nuggets of wisdom down the road, I’ll be adding to this list as I go! I’m convinced these insights cannot be learned through an online course or book, instead through real practice, sweat and tears, and countless hours of work behind the scenes.
They’ve helped me adopt a healthier mindset, become myself again, become more efficient, prioritize what’s most important, and ultimately open doors in ways I never thought possible. I hope they can help you in a similar light, regardless of age.
So in market-driven fashion, let’s get straight into it!
Moderation is Key In Life
Anything in excess, even the best things, will become unhealthy just like restriction leads to addiction.
Stay balanced, take some time to think, and prevent emotions from getting in the way of important decisions. Health is wealth after all.
Happiness Is 95% In Your Control
Imagine you have everything you could possible want but are still miserable. Don’t think it’s possible? Better focus on what you can control before it’s too late since it’s more common than we think. No external prize, vacation, etc. will heal the within. Over time, you must deal with yourself. There’s no one we talk to more of than ourselves.
No one can make you as satisfied and truly fulfilled than yourself. Happiness is like a muscle, you must strengthen it daily by working it out. Feeling joyous 24/7 is unrealistic too. It’s ok not to be ok but over time, don’t rely on anyone except yourself to feel appreciated, valued, and excited about what’s to come!
Happiness = reality — expectations
Build Your Brand NOW
No matter how much you know, someone always knows something you don’t. Everyone always has something to share that you can benefit from and so do you!
During the lockdown days of the pandemic, I finally tackled a few items on my bucket list which included creating my own IP (intellectual property).
I didn’t want some algorithm dictating where performance was headed and instead preferred to have full control over the scale of my future brand that took longer than expected to grow.
At the time as a newly minted 20-yr-old intrigued by the macho-dominated world of personal finance, I thought this would be a great outlet to tap into since the total addressable market is everyone but the creators in this space weren’t representing everyone. I found a market and filled it! Econ 101!
Although there are 8 billion people on earth, today I’m one of the few female young twenty-somethings writing consistently about personal finance topics online.
Building your brand doesn’t have to start with a blog or website. It could mean volunteering or launching an app to serve others.
Whatever suits your fancy get started on it since you won’t regret it.
Fast forward a few months after launching my basic blog, my brand started to take off exponentially. People online started reaching out asking me to help them with their own strategies and invited me to be on their podcasts!
It’s important to remember, the more you put yourself out there, the more rejection, criticism, and comments you will get. Of course, if you don’t do anything, no one will say anything but that doesn’t get you closer to your goals. Rely on yourself, no one else to diversify, scale, and build your brand.
Consume less, produce more daily.
Survival of the Friendliest — Strong Personality + Focus on EQ
By continuously working on your personality through strengthening your delivery and conversational skills, you will make your life easier in the long run. Becoming a solid, persuasive, motivational communicator only comes through practice. Every business is personal and revolves around people so the more comfortable you get working with everyone and getting along with them seamlessly, the greater success there will be for both sides.
On this note, make sure to focus on building your network daily. It’s not always about WHAT you know but WHO you know to get you through the door. As they say, a network is an insurance policy money cannot buy and referrals are currency! Make sure it’s not a transaction, a connection instead.
Accept Being An Amateur For a While And Probably Forever!
No one is expected to know everything right away and being an expert isn’t the goal. When starting a new role, it takes roughly 5–9 months to become pretty good at it. The real experts are those that adopt intellectual curiosity and never stop learning because that’s the real name of the game. Hire based on potential for long-term dividends, not short-term rewards.
“The Main Thing Is To Keep The Main Thing The Main Thing” — Stephen Covey
Diversification in life and in your portfolio is important but so is focusing on what’s important from the start. Distractions are everywhere these days, even in the pocket, and can get dangerous if there are no priorities set in place.
Your time is priceless and one of the most valuable commodities that cannot be replaced or purchased. Guard your time, KISS (Keep It Short and Sweet), focus on what matters, and block out the rest to heal your mind, influence, and energy. You may not be able to do everything, but you can do what you want to do! Less = More.
Become comfortable with vagueness, lack of direction, and asking lots and lots of questions.
Thank goodness we don’t receive a step-by-step manual on life when born. That would be overwhelming and boring! Part of the thrill of life is not knowing what’s on the other side. Figuring things out on your own means you’re trying and are at the right place at the right time. If you’re not learning, you’re not changing. Don’t waste your time doing things that are easy and not mind-bending.
Most of the time when it comes to the real world, there’s no perfect or right answer, just what you believe will best serve the team and help it flourish in the long run. There’s no grade book or missed points if something doesn’t fit. Use your best judgment, add a creative flare, and include your team.
Asking for help is a strength!
Success can be seen as a ‘lucky struggle’. Embrace the sacrifice!
Through unwavering commitment and dedication, anything is actually possible.
It’s not always the person with the greatest marks that gets ahead in the long run, instead it’s oftentimes those who are able to think outside of the box, get along with others and make them feel appreciated, takes calculated risks, “dreams big and fails well” — Ray Dalio, has unwavering persistent, isn’t afraid to mess up, and makes sure to thank others for helping them get there.
We can go fast alone or farther together. Life isn’t supposed to be easy. If it’s difficult, it means you’re chasing something worthwhile and meaningful.
Become better at handling the hard better. Delay your short-term attention span.
I’ll leave you with this. There are people out there working harder than you and I that aren’t nearly as far as we are. Appreciation keeps us grounded and a powerful reminder when times get tough.
Whenever you’re getting frustrated or feel like giving up, realize that pressure is privilege. Nothing lasts forever.
The moment you feel like breaking, may ver well be your breakthrough.
Stay in it for the long run and you will see the dividends come your way.