Divnick's Marketplace Realities

Gathered, overheard, or authored by Steve Divnick (www.divnick.com)

1. Experience is the WORST teacher because it gives the test before it gives the lesson.

2. If your education and/or experience doesn’t make you different than the average, it won’t get you a better job than the norm.

3. You must find a way to distinguish yourself from others competing for the jobs you want. If you begin that at an early age, your advantage will grow exponentially.

4. Read, listen, observe, think, and challenge continuously. Be thirsty for knowledge and a repository of tested experience that sets you apart from the rest of society.

5. Write a resume about your education and experience as it relates to today's marketplace. Then, write another imagining what you want it to be five years from now. Repeat this for every additional five year period until your retirement. This will help you create a plan to reach each of these resumes. Are you willing to do what it takes to make these resumes come true?

6. If you knew today what you will know when you are 50, you would make different choices—guaranteed. So, imagine you are 50 and look back on your life. See if today’s activities look good to you.

7. The marketplace is ALWAYS the ultimate boss. Your employer’s allegiance must be to the marketplace, not to you, your security, or your future. If you learn that rule, you will become invaluable to your employer.

8. Every adult in America should consider him or herself a one-person self-employed company whose job is to serve the marketplace. The era is gone when you could depend on an employer for long-term security. You MUST be willing to continually retrain yourself and match what the marketplace wants from you.

9. NEVER think that someone else owes you any freebies when it comes to your career—not the government, not your parents, not your wealthy uncle, and not your employer. Your success is YOUR responsibility.

10. Earned equality is the only kind that satisfies, whether it be race, gender, or career performance. Legislated equality destroys one's drive.

11. Life isn’t fair. Some people have it harder than you, and some have advantages. Neither matters.

12. Successful self-employed people have the most demanding employers.

13. If you work for someone else, you will never receive what you think you are worth.

14. If you work for someone else—especially an institution or large company, you will CONTINUALLY be frustrated with the politics and lack of appreciation.

15. Don’t make stupid choices that follow you for life. Some things can’t be undone. Being young, having unreasonable parents, or facing strong peer pressure is not an excuse for stupidity.

16. Don’t live beyond your financial means. Don’t borrow what you can’t pay for.

17. Be curious. Ask, “Why?” and “Why not?” Be creative. Experiment. Challenge your perceptions and beliefs. Don’t settle for someone else’s agenda.

18. Don’t be afraid of failure. Attempt things you are pretty sure you can’t do. Those experiences will teach you the most. Keep a diary or blog of your failed attempts along with your successful ones. Review it ever few years and you will be amazed at how much you have learned.

19. When you face problems, they are YOURS to solve. Don’t blame others for your circumstances. Don’t be a victim. Victims are helpless.

20. You always have choices, no matter how difficult the circumstances. Don’t ever say, “I have no other choice.”

21. Respect your elders. Observe them. Ask them questions. Ask their advice. They know some things you don’t know, and it is less expensive to learn from them than from your own experience.

22. Go spend lots of time with people in your preferred career fields. Shadow them for as much of their day as possible, for several days in a row. It will be the most valuable “class” you will ever attend.

23. Ask people in your preferred field the hard questions: What do you hate about your job? If you had it all to do over again, would you do the same thing the same way? Are you worried about the future of your career field? If I was your son or daughter, would you counsel me to go another direction? Is the investment of time, study, and money worth it?

24. Study successful people. Read their stories. Study business journals and read the money sections of major newspapers. Do at least a little business research every day.

25. Be concerned about your retirement TODAY. Start planning for it NOW. Start building your retirement fund TODAY—even if it is only a little money in a savings account. As soon as you qualify, start a tax-free ROTH IRA investment account.

26. The biggest money is ALWAYS in sales. Experiment with selling something. Start while you are young. Practice until you are successful. Learn what it feels like to be turned down...and to make the sale. Experience the thrill of earning commissions. 95% of the population is afraid of sales. You want to be one of the 5%.

27. Listen to your prospects. They will usually tell you exactly what to say next. That makes selling easy.

28. Don’t be selfish. Be a mentor. Share your wealth and time with others. A pond with water coming in but none going out becomes stagnant. Some of the greatest joys in your life will come from helping others with nothing to gain for yourself.

29. A successful career or business is not as important as the relationships you form along the way, especially family. Don’t trade in your friendships and family for career success. When you are old, your career success won’t matter nearly as much as your relationships.

30. Thank God regularly for his creative genius in the form of your talents, and for holding you accountable for their use. Don’t be afraid of appropriate pride in your accomplishments. False humility denies God’s creative genius.

31. Add to this list as your own experience and curiosity teaches you things about yourself.

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