I recall about 10 years ago when I realized that some of my new co-workers were closer to my kids age than my age.

Now all of them are married some are having kids and I recall what my life was like when I was their age.

It seems like a lifetime ago.

Because it was.

This was before the internet.  If we wanted info we read a book, magazine or asked someone.

Now we have Google, Social Media and Email.

I recently received the following email which is filled with links we can share with the next generation.  This is from Sam Parker of the JustSell.com website:

Hi, Scott… We’ve got millions of college and high school graduates joining us in the workworld (or hoping to) over the next couple of months. If you know one (or anyone who could use some encouragement in the right direction), below are a few things you might do to help them get their hearts and minds in the right place sooner rather than later (especially if they’re going to be joining us in the salesworld)…

1. Send them a link to a great commencement speech.These are my current favorites (I re-read these things once or twice a year at this point and I’m a midlifer)…This is Water by David Foster Wallace: This one’s intense. So brutally good I can’t stand it. He reminds us of the true day-to-day responsibility of our lives. Read it yourself to be sure you’re comfortable with it before forwarding it – Wallace lost his fight with depression so you need to think about the potential effect that might have on your reader. (3000 words – 15-minute read for me… a slow reader).

   The second to last paragraph are some of the most important words (reminders) I’ve ever read. It’s the paragraph that begins with… “Look, the insidious thing about these forms of worship is not that they’re evil or sinful; it is that they are unconscious. They are default-settings.” and ends with “The really important kind of freedom involves attention, and awareness and discipline, and effort, and being able truly to care about other people and to sacrifice for them, over and over, in myriad petty little unsexy ways, every day.” (very Smovish, 212ish, and Love Your People)

   Find What You Love by Steve Jobs: (2200 words – 10-minute read)

   The Love of Learning by David McCullough: (1700 words – less than 10 minutes)

   Solitude and Leadership by William Deresiewicz: Probably not a great one to start with for those with limited attention spans but it’s wonderful insight. Not a commencement speech but rather a lecture given to a plebe class at West Point. (5900 words)

2. Encourage them to Cross The Line and become a Smover or 212er for their employer (and for their life).Give them a copy of one of my little books or booklets (all of them are 20-min. reads at most – Cross The Line is 5-min.) or email the video preview link…
   

   		Cross The Line booklet | video (encouraging commitment to go beyond mediocrity)Smile & Move book | video (inspiring wonderfully positive and service-focused action) 212° the extra degree book | video (how a little more effort and attention can have a huge impact) Love Your People booklet | (video coming very very soon!) (remembering that it’s all about care and that starts with contribution) SalesTough book (the 8 fundamentals I wish I’d made a habit of earlier rather than later in my sales career) Or, get them all in our Sam Parker packs that include a few of the pocket cards too. (please use this link) Maybe a framed Declaration of Contribution for their desk or a poster for their wall. (please use this link)

3. Make time and have a conversation with someone about some of the things you wish you had known and done when you were just starting out.Help them become aware of something earlier so they might make one or two better moves than you did (sooner). Encourage them to care and work hard. Help them understand that their work’s purpose is ultimately to make good things happen for other people.

   Consider a discussion around keeping their ego in check, how to create luck, or how to bounce back from mistakes (a huge work/ life challenge that they’ll likely face often… if they’re pushing things).

Love your people…

Sam (co-founder of JustSell.com)
804-762-4500 ext. 303
Sparker@GiveMore.com