That’s the extended point made by Tony Nitti in a New Years’ post at Going Concern – This Year, Resolve to Finally Decide What You Want To Be When You Grow Up in Public Accounting.
Don’t rely on the networking, hand-shaking, going-out-for-drinks-after-work schmoozing, and drumming up new business to get where you want. Although you may have to get really good at those things, the first priority is to invest in your skills and knowledge.
Oh, as expected for any Going Concern post, there is a fair amount of naughty language and word pictures. Just letting you know.
Three superb comments:
Invest in yourself.
People aren’t staying for the long-term in jobs anymore:
But the truth of today’s marketplace is that in all likelihood, [new people starting today will] be cashing checks from another employer three years from now. So while yes, they owe it to the people signing their paychecks to show up and serve clients and do an A-plus job, they also owe it to themselves to prepare for the inevitable.
Things with your currently wonderful employer can change rapidly and radically. Never know when things might go sour and you have to fire your employer.
That’s why you’ve got to have substance. Substance goes with you.
You take your knowledge and skills with you wherever you go and whatever you do. Invest in yourself.
If things go sideways or you can’t stand it anymore or you realize 3,000 hours a year will continue forever or you need/ want/ have to make a change, will you be able to?
If you have invested a lot of time and effort in yourself, you will have the freedom to walk away.
Invest in yourself.
Jim….I realized many years that if you look at successful people they do two things….
1. Many ‘experts’ say do something that you’re passionate about and you’ll be successful. Not true. Why not? If all you had to do was be passionate about your work there wouldn’t be a whole group of people called ‘starving artists.” So rule….
2. Whatever passion you decide to pursue, pick something that people will pay you a LOT of money to do. Why? Because you don’t decide your value. The market decides what you’re worth.
Follow these two simple rules, do what you love and and make lots of money. Does life get any better….gdz
Hi Gary:
Superb points. Passion isn’t enough – add in something that pays really well, or at least nicely. For a home run, combine the idea of picking something you are really good at.
Thanks for commenting.
Jim