Earlier this week I spoke with a group of graduating seniors at Johnson and Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. It was an open discussion over a sumptuous lunch in the school’s culinary museum.
The topic was my book: From Hired to Happy.
This was a remarkable group of students. They were all highly focused on their careers in areas including event and sports management, food science and culinary arts.
In preparation for the meeting I developed some talking points, which resulted in the following:
Ruth’s Rules (or Recommendations…) for Success:
1- Responsibility trumps everything else. Be willing to take full responsibility for your life. No excuses.
2- Rule your Revenues. Get comfortable living just a bit below your means. Get comfortable with money.
3- Rule your Relationships. Choose carefully with whom you spend your time. We are all highly influenced by others. Choose those that will help you become the best you can be.
4- Rule your Mind. Learn to: 1) become aware of what you are feeling, 2) know what you are thinking (which causes the emotion) and 3) choose a different thought that will give you a better emotional response. Make the different thought real – something your mind will believe.
5- Read. Become a life-long learner. It’s a key to happiness and success.
6- Request. Learn to ask for what you want and need. FIRST give. Then ask.
7- Relax! Learn to breathe from your belly. Do this when you get stressed. It sends oxygen to your brain and calms you down quickly.
