The Best Piece of Advice

Posted on November 21, 2008 by speakingofmbti from http://www.thembtiblog.com/

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I’m a bit reflective today because I’m formulating my Zig Ziglar inspired Wall of Gratitude (to be blogged later this weekend…stay tuned). It has me thinking about all of the pivotal moments and life-changing people I’ve experienced in my short professional career.

I presented the topic of MBTI preferences and Team Building to a group of HR professionals in Joplin, MO this week and received a really nice email from an attendee who wanted to know how to get my job! I love that kind of email! When I introduce myself as a speaker, the first thing I typically say is that I have my dream job. Most people roll their eyes and assume it’s all for show. Really, it’s not. Sure, I have bad days (and weeks), and there are plenty of things I would change about my role and my organization but when it comes down to it- I really dig my job!!!

Anyway, the attendee who emailed me asked for some advice on breaking in to the industry, and as always my advice is network, network, network. Oh- and never, ever, ever burn a bridge…never.

That got me thinking- is that honestly the best advice I can offer? I mean, I could go into details about whether or not a grad degree makes sense and how to rock an interview…but isn’t networking what it all comes down to? It seems so simple, logical, and natural to me. If someone told me that networking was the single best piece of advice they could offer me, I’d be annoyed. ”Yeah, dude, I already knew that!” Networking is what helped me score every single job I’ve held since I was 20.

Why is it that sometimes the best piece of advice is something you already know? Is it because no matter what the words are, it is always our responsibility to take the action? We all know networking is essential, but it takes work! It’s having the motivation and tool set to put the advice into practice that is key.

The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is simple, cheesy, and unoriginal. My dad reminds me of it all the time, though. Work Hard, Play Hard. That seems so insignificant, and yet for me it is a huge challenge. As an ISTJ, I cannot play hard until all of my work is finished (even work that doesn’t really have to be finished). My dad knows how I am. He knows when I have a specific project or goal in mind, I will put all fun and social needs aside until I’ve accomplished the task. That’s not healthy, and I’m aware of how damaging that approach can be…but overcoming my natural tendencies is a huge challenge.

Maybe there is no single best piece of advice for everyone. It depends on the person, their personality and what they need to hear.

So, for me- I have to remind myself to work hard and play hard- to find balance in all things.