Developing the Proper Attitude Toward Feedback
Feedback is an almost universally praised tool for growth, yet it’s still incredibly hard to give and take. There’s a lot that goes in to making it easier, but that starts with developing the proper attitude towards feedback. When you understand what feedback is and exactly why it’s important, it becomes easier to give and take when […]
In Your Daily Routine, Are You Making Room for Thought?
I interviewed the founder of a Praxis business partner recently and he said something unexpected. He’s a high-energy, type A kind of person and incredibly productive. When I asked any tips or habits he employs to get so much done he said “I make time to think.” He went on to describe large chunks of time […]
Ditch Your Resume – Build A Pitch Deck
I have never seen a resume that I remember, and I have seen plenty of resumes from great and qualified candidates. This sentiment is echoed by businesses with whom I speak and the people who do the hiring. The reality is, a resume is much like a business card — it won’t ever get you […]
How to Get a Job Next Week by Doing Highly Valuable Free Work (Email Templates Included)
For some reason, there exists this trope that “there are no jobs available” or “businesses are not hiring.” I consider this part of the epidemic of entitled young people expecting to be handed a job simply because they exist and sat through classes for 4 years. The reality is that businesses are desperate to hire. […]
Kill Your Resume: Why Professional Side Projects Are the New Resume
Two young professionals are applying for the same job at a startup. Person one, a graduate from a respected university, has a resume he got professionally edited through a service online. The resume lists his education, competencies, and relevant work experience during some summer internships while he was in school. By all accounts, it’s a […]
Why a Professional Apprenticeship is Better than More School
Assumptions about college are being turned on their head. Real world experience is providing a better context for learning and a more direct path to life and career opportunities. College has value, but not the universal value most assume. The worst thing you can do is go as a catch-all or backup plan or default. […]
The Faces of Resistance
“Most of us have two lives. The life we live, and the unlived life within us. Between the two stands Resistance.” This quote comes from Steven Pressfield’s book The War of Art which explores what keeps creators from actually creating. There are a lot of things that can keep us from doing what we have […]
How to Navigate Being on Thin Ice at Work
One of the biggest issues a young person in the workplace will experience is developing a strong sense of judgement when running on thin ice. Even the best and most competent young worker can mess up and will be forced to prove to supervisors and mentors that they can step up to the plate and […]
Don’t Rush to Careerify Your Interests
There is nothing wrong with turning your interests into a career. In fact, it can be one of the most wonderful and fulfilling ways to live. Doing what you love for a living is great if possible, and it’s a lot more possible than people realize. Don’t mistake me for saying it’s a bad thing. […]
When to Stick with Something and When to Quit
Here’s a simple heuristic that has been monumental for me: If you love something you don’t need any reasons for doing it. If you hate something you’d better have damn good reasons for doing it. This is about the burden of proof. If you’re doing what you love and what makes you come alive, you […]
5 Things I Learned Traveling Solo at 18
Ever felt unsatisfied with college? Many young people have. Ever felt unsatisfied enough to drop out, buy a one-way ticket to Guatemala, and travel for four months without a cell phone? 19 year-old author and traveler Jake Heilbrunn is the only person we’ve met who can say “yes” to that question. Jake wanted more than […]
How Can I Do This Faster, Better, Cheaper?
The number one question you must ask yourself if you want to think entrepreneurially is: How can I do this faster, better, and cheaper than the standard options? That’s it. All of the best products out there are able to do something the other people are doing but do it better, faster, and cheaper. Uber […]
You Could Have Tried Harder: Thinking Differently About Effort and Responsibility
“At least I did my best.” This is the most common and the most effective excuse in the world. It’s very dangerous. There are two important things we need to know about this statement: There is no such thing as doing our best. There is always something we could have done better. We have to know when to stop […]
How to Land an Interview Without the Credential
It turns out that people applying for a job care more about their own credentials than the people who are hiring them. source You’ve been on the job search for a while, sending out resumes and cover letters to a few positions here and there that pique your interest, but nothing that has really made […]
Work Harder To Appreciate Life More
“You’ve got to stop and smell the roses more, James!” I laughed when one of my coworkers gave me this advice. As with most cliches, there’s wisdom in this saying. Usually the people repeating the cliche miss it. Many of us view hard work and the appreciation of life as two opposite things. I’ve come to see things differently. […]