FSS Spotlight: A Few Things I Learned After Kindergarten
By Harvey Mackay

Several years ago, Robert Fulghum simplified the rules of life with a classic little gem, "All I Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten": "Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate-school mountain, but there in the sandpile at Sunday School." He covered all the basics for living a good life.

But the next 12 or 16 or 20 years of school that most of us were required to attend hold some mighty important lessons also. Especially if you plan to work for a living. It's not the dates and places and names, although those are significant. It's also the work ethic and habits that we formed that carry over into the everyday practice of our chosen occupations.

Remember those little reminders the really good teachers were always offering? Well, I'm a huge supporter of lifelong learning, so if you didn't get the "rules" the first time around, I'll share some of them with you.

Pay attention. Knowing what's happening around you doesn't automatically happen. Putting the puzzle together isn't a gimme, either, if you've missed a few pieces. Depending on others for information is only as good as their attention span. It's up to you to stay alert.

Take good notes. I've always said that pale ink is better than the most retentive memory. Remembering what happened in a meeting two weeks ago, which was sandwiched among thirteen other meetings on various topics, is difficult, even if you possess an elephantine memory. If it's important enough to meet about, it's important enough to take notes on. Then, as a little homework, review your notes. You may find it amazing that you forgot a few details over time, but you'll be grateful for the memory jog.
 Be on time. Tardiness will affect your grade. When attendance is taken, make sure you're "here." The early bird gets the worm, and all that. As Woody Allen said, "Eighty percent of success is showing up." This rule also applies to work deadlines. Get your projects finished on schedule, fill your customers' orders as promised, return calls and emails promptly, or plan to lose points. Otherwise, the "U" grade you get will not only stand for unsatisfactory, but also unemployed.

Don't cut class. Everyone is entitled to vacation time and personal days, but be sure to use them wisely. The boss knows who's around, and who can be counted on in a pinch. If you have a habit of sleeping late or taking off early to beat the traffic, you will never go to the head of the class.

It's hard to learn with your mouth open. Be a good listener, don't interrupt; try to really hear what's being said. Ask serious questions if you don't understand. While I'm not so sure there is no such ting as a dumb question, I am convinced that there are many good questions out there.

Learn from your mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes; it's how you handle them that matters. You wouldn't err if you already knew everything. Try to think of mistakes as opportunities to improve.

Don't be afraid to change your major. Should the day come that you lose your enthusiasm for your job, or if it just feels like work, you need to  switch gears. Another favorite saying of mine is "Find something you love  to do and you'll never work a day in your life." Think about how many hours you spend on the job, and then try to justify doing something you hate. Don't waste your talent. No amount of money is worth a job you can't stand.

Check out extra-curricular activities. You need to find some balance between work and the rest of your life. Take a class, start a hobby, join a softball team, learn to bake bread, study a foreign language. Use the other side of your brain. An added benefit: you may learn something that enhances your job skills. And you had fun doing it!

Don't let spring fever lead to the "Senior Slide." Slacking off gets you laid off. Think you can rest on your laurels? Don't get too comfortable. The quality of your work is a good indicator of your commitment to your job. Discipline yourself to get past the distractions.
 
Mackay's Moral: A student of life always does the homework.