Three Weeks Notice
A compilation of life thoughts & lessons from this week's edition of "Adventures in Post-Grad" (and, if you haven't noticed, a weekly feature):
1). It's okay to be wrong and to make mistakes. "The choice may have been mistaken; the choosing was not..."
2). The Universe blesses us all with talents, gifts, and abilities -- we are punished when we deprive the world of them.
3). Johnetta Betsch Cole and Beverly Guy-Sheftall are THE truth. Google 'em.
4). And speaking of "gender talk", while I am ever evolving into a welcome feminist consciousness, there is still internal work I need to do around addressing and reconciling my male privilege and oppressive behavior.
5). Friends are fleeting -- but that's not good reason to not take care of them. For as long as they're in your life, you should nurture each other as if it's forever.
6). Answering the phone means a lot. Sometimes (I dare say, MOST times), just showing up counts.
7). From my mentor -- never compromise any aspect of yourself to please other people. Be very clear of what it is you want, and seek that.
8). Reba, Linda, Martina, and Trisha can try, but Patti and Michael will always reign over them -- on their own.
9). Lesbians are really cool. Like, REALLY cool.
10). Happiness and community have at least one thing in common -- they both begin and end with you.
Showing posts with label lessons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lessons. Show all posts
6/7/09
5/31/09
Day 14
Two Weeks Notice
So, it's officially been two weeks since I graduated from Morehouse College. A quick compilation of the lessons I've learned thus far in the nascent stages of my post-collegiate journey:
1). Timidity and vague, meek behavior is no one's friend -- you'll never get what you want that way. Puff out your chest, get your mind right, and ask those difficult questions.
2). Yeah, you've got a degree now -- so what? The world is not going to come to you. You want something? You're going to have to put in some hard work and make it happen.
3). The first law of nature, at the end of the day, is self-preservation. For everyone. Never forget that the only person who has your unequivocal best interests in mind is you. So hold fast to it.
4). Nice guys don't always finish last, but they rarely finish first. You teach people how to treat you. If you let people fuck with you, they will.
5). Be a beast at everything you do -- it's the surest way to success. Sure, you'll make mistakes along the way, but they won't be from laziness or apathy.
6). Don't take everything so personally. It's not all about you. In fact, more often than not, its about them (still struggling with this one).
7). You are the master of your fate and the captain of your soul -- creating the world you want to live in is first a mental task.
8). The word "friend" is a very liberal concept -- it need not be.
9). Effective communication will take you far -- and help you keep your sanity.
10). Don't just take a chance -- have a plan.
So, it's officially been two weeks since I graduated from Morehouse College. A quick compilation of the lessons I've learned thus far in the nascent stages of my post-collegiate journey:
1). Timidity and vague, meek behavior is no one's friend -- you'll never get what you want that way. Puff out your chest, get your mind right, and ask those difficult questions.
2). Yeah, you've got a degree now -- so what? The world is not going to come to you. You want something? You're going to have to put in some hard work and make it happen.
3). The first law of nature, at the end of the day, is self-preservation. For everyone. Never forget that the only person who has your unequivocal best interests in mind is you. So hold fast to it.
4). Nice guys don't always finish last, but they rarely finish first. You teach people how to treat you. If you let people fuck with you, they will.
5). Be a beast at everything you do -- it's the surest way to success. Sure, you'll make mistakes along the way, but they won't be from laziness or apathy.
6). Don't take everything so personally. It's not all about you. In fact, more often than not, its about them (still struggling with this one).
7). You are the master of your fate and the captain of your soul -- creating the world you want to live in is first a mental task.
8). The word "friend" is a very liberal concept -- it need not be.
9). Effective communication will take you far -- and help you keep your sanity.
10). Don't just take a chance -- have a plan.
5/21/09
Day 5
There's No Business Like Show Business...and Politics
...everything about it is appealing. Particularly in Atlanta.
I remember one of my best friends telling my about a dream they had a while back: in the dream, he was looking out on to an expanse of all of the promise of his wildest fantasies -- every goal, every wish. As he looked out over the horizon of achievable possibility, he heard a voice. The voice said to him: "I will give you all of this that you see here -- everything you've ever wanted and more."
"What are you going to do with it?"
Five days out of undergrad and I'm well on my way to forging a professional life for myself. And I find myself in a similar situation.
Throughout my senior year, I was working part-time for a state representative as her aide during the 2009 session of the Georgia General Assembly. That gig has led to a "promotion" as her new Chief-of-Staff through next year's legislative session. From that opportunity I've also been extended an offer to work as finance director on a city-wide city council campaign and am quite possibly on my way toward getting hired on one of the local mayoral campaigns. AND I'm slated to start working part-time for a national school choice organization helping them plan their fall conference.
Point: I'm exactly where I want to be, with the tools and faculty to get where I want to go.
However, it would be disingenuous for me to pretend as if it's all clear skies. I mean, can I handle all of this? Do I really have the skills? Am I worth what I say am I? Can I make it in politics?
If nothing else, this past week has given me a mini-crash course in what it takes to make it in this town. Some quick lessons I've learned:
Lesson #1: Never commit until you've thoroughly considered all of your options.
I found myself in an almost-pickle when I committed to working on one campaign (out of sheer thrill that somebody actually wanted to hire me) right before another desirable opportunity came along. I'm still not sure if the latter is going to materialize like I want it to, but at least my options are open so that whatever comes along and whatever I want to do -- I have the freedom to do it.
Lesson #2: You are only as good as your actions.
Certainly we all know (or should know) that a person's integrity is the cornerstone of his/her/their character. What I've come to realize is that your worth is only as worthy what you do -- not what you say. This week I've found myself in a few situations in which I've mildly had to "show and prove". Sometimes I excelled, and maybe a few of those times I fell short. However, as I move forward I know one things is for sure: talk, in this industry, is cheap -- the only things that are important are what you know and what you can do.
Lesson #3: Be Prepared. Always be prepared.
Former Boy Scouts have a heads-up on this one. I've certainly learned the value of being bold this week. The meek and feeble get chewed up and spit out in politics -- if you want something, you've got to be gutsy and go for it, whatever it is. In the words of Jamal Simmons, the only ones without scrapes and bruises are those sitting on the sidelines. The upshot: you've got to know your stuff. When you move, you have to know where you're going, how to get there, and why getting there is important. Otherwise, you'll get lost.
From these lessons (and the bounty I'm sure to learn), I can confidently say that I know what I'm going to do with all that is given to me, and that I'll eventually find out how to get there. But I can't help but wonder:
Do I really have what it takes?
...everything about it is appealing. Particularly in Atlanta.
I remember one of my best friends telling my about a dream they had a while back: in the dream, he was looking out on to an expanse of all of the promise of his wildest fantasies -- every goal, every wish. As he looked out over the horizon of achievable possibility, he heard a voice. The voice said to him: "I will give you all of this that you see here -- everything you've ever wanted and more."
"What are you going to do with it?"
Five days out of undergrad and I'm well on my way to forging a professional life for myself. And I find myself in a similar situation.
Throughout my senior year, I was working part-time for a state representative as her aide during the 2009 session of the Georgia General Assembly. That gig has led to a "promotion" as her new Chief-of-Staff through next year's legislative session. From that opportunity I've also been extended an offer to work as finance director on a city-wide city council campaign and am quite possibly on my way toward getting hired on one of the local mayoral campaigns. AND I'm slated to start working part-time for a national school choice organization helping them plan their fall conference.
Point: I'm exactly where I want to be, with the tools and faculty to get where I want to go.
However, it would be disingenuous for me to pretend as if it's all clear skies. I mean, can I handle all of this? Do I really have the skills? Am I worth what I say am I? Can I make it in politics?
If nothing else, this past week has given me a mini-crash course in what it takes to make it in this town. Some quick lessons I've learned:
Lesson #1: Never commit until you've thoroughly considered all of your options.
I found myself in an almost-pickle when I committed to working on one campaign (out of sheer thrill that somebody actually wanted to hire me) right before another desirable opportunity came along. I'm still not sure if the latter is going to materialize like I want it to, but at least my options are open so that whatever comes along and whatever I want to do -- I have the freedom to do it.
Lesson #2: You are only as good as your actions.
Certainly we all know (or should know) that a person's integrity is the cornerstone of his/her/their character. What I've come to realize is that your worth is only as worthy what you do -- not what you say. This week I've found myself in a few situations in which I've mildly had to "show and prove". Sometimes I excelled, and maybe a few of those times I fell short. However, as I move forward I know one things is for sure: talk, in this industry, is cheap -- the only things that are important are what you know and what you can do.
Lesson #3: Be Prepared. Always be prepared.
Former Boy Scouts have a heads-up on this one. I've certainly learned the value of being bold this week. The meek and feeble get chewed up and spit out in politics -- if you want something, you've got to be gutsy and go for it, whatever it is. In the words of Jamal Simmons, the only ones without scrapes and bruises are those sitting on the sidelines. The upshot: you've got to know your stuff. When you move, you have to know where you're going, how to get there, and why getting there is important. Otherwise, you'll get lost.
From these lessons (and the bounty I'm sure to learn), I can confidently say that I know what I'm going to do with all that is given to me, and that I'll eventually find out how to get there. But I can't help but wonder:
Do I really have what it takes?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
