This month, GEAR UP College Coordinator, Jana Burd is sharing her Top 5 Pieces of Advice she has received. Read all about it!
I have been fortunate enough to have been given a lot of great advice over the years. From poems and quotes to deep conversations, a lot of great gems have been dropped that still help to guide myself and those around me to this day. It was a challenge to pick my “top” five, so here are just five pieces of advice that I am currently referring to a lot this summer:
- Remember your “why”
When I was an RA in college, I remember being told this multiple times. Now, this is something that I carry with me in each position that I have. It’s so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day tasks, or to get frustrated when challenges arise on the job, but it’s important to remember why we chose this career path/field/position. Thinking about the positive moments and memories that make you smile can make a rough day a little easier. Keeping those memories in mind can help with both motivation and morale, especially on the hard days when it can be difficult to move forward. - Give Grace & Be Kind ― You don’t know what other people are going through
Even when people share information with you, there’s so much that often goes unspoken. Usually, we never truly know what others around us are going through, so it’s important to give grace and be understanding. With the unexpected nature of life, and the uniqueness of every person on this earth, we all process each moment differently. It may not be easy to practice giving grace, but it is so important. One kind act can make a world of difference and change someone’s whole day for the better. - Life is short, and you are the only YOU, so live your life how YOU want
There will always be someone who has an opinion on how you should live your life. But at the end of day, you are the only one living it. That doesn’t mean that your family and friends aren’t important or valuable to you, but it does mean that they aren’t living your life, because they are living their own. You get to make your own decisions on how you live your life, so take charge and make your life how you want it to be. - The “Serenity Prayer” & “Don’t Quit” Poem
Similar to the others, there are only so many things within our control. I’ve had many times when I was stressed or worried about something that I had no control over. The Serenity Prayer helps to re-center me, and the “Don’t Quit” poem helps to motivate me. My faith is also important to me, but that doesn’t mean I don’t need reminders sometimes. Each of these pieces has different messages, but the combination is both impactful and empowering. - “When you’ve worked hard, and done well, and walked through that doorway of opportunity, you do not slam it shut behind you.” ― Michelle Obama
This is one of my favorite quotes, but is also a great piece of advice! It’s so important to me to give back and help others, because I wouldn’t be where or who I am today without those who helped me. Whether it was mentors, colleagues, friends, family, or even a kind stranger, there were so many people who ensured that I succeeded every step of the way in my own journey. It is an honor and a privilege to be able to support others, and we should never take that for granted.
