In a previous post, I touched on the topic of going back in time and giving advice to my 16-year-old self right after the 1977 lifeguard crew photo was taken. That message would be simple. “If I could offer you only one tip for your future, sunscreen would be it. Wear sunscreen.” Today, my future-self of that 16-year-old lifeguard, is wearing the skin of many years of “burning to get tan”. It’s a casual regret that requires semi-annual monitoring and with increasing frequency for removal of suspect patches.
If the genie fantasy of the magic lamp ever fell into my possession, my only selfish wish would be to go back in time to redirect my youthful self to put a shirt on or wear sunscreen during my time in the sun. Yes, ok, I’d also slip in some additional selfish advice: buy Microsoft, Apple and Amazon stocks and don’t sell until we recover from a global pandemic.
Baz Luhrmann popularized a rap-like song in 1999 with words credited to an essay written as a hypothetical commencement speech by columnist Mary Schmich. The five-minute message, for me, became the best advice that spans an entire lifetime. I can only imagine how my response to life’s responsibilities would have been more enjoyable if I would have heard and headed this advice at a much younger age. Spend 5 minutes watching the video. You may have to play it back a few times because your mind will drift on a personal reflection and may miss the next nugget that comes pretty fast. The line of “Get to know your parents….” echoes and rings true. If you can, do something about that today. If not, find a photo and keep it out.
Without further commentary, please take the time now to click the link. I can assure you that your thoughts and focus will be much different if you just catch one phrase and hold on to it for a while.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTJ7AzBIJoI
For added convenience, I found the lyrics online and are posted below.
Continue reading “The Best Advice Ever Given In a 5 minute YouTube: Wear Sunscreen”
When I started my technical sales career at Pharmacia Biotech, the sales department had a well-planned sales and product training program that to this day remains my gold standard of training. It consisted of a comprehensive course: two weeks at headquarters for sales/marketing product lectures, hands-on product training, and Professional Selling Skills training. After the second week, the trainers sent you into your territory with your manager for two weeks applying everything that you just learned. After that, back to HQ to focus on different product areas and more selling skills for another two full weeks and then back into your territory. This cycle repeated for over four months and the team selling/coaching sessions with your manager lasted another three or four months after. During this period, it was also expected that you continue with your self-study on the products and your customer’s business. On top of that, you were required to hit your monthly sales targets and complete your admin duties consistently. It did get a lot easier once you mastered the product line, and your customers, and learned what’s important to manage your manager. (See the