I’ve found a lot of wisdom in some very old books. At my first real engineering job someone loaned me a book from 1925 titled “How to be a good engineer.” Read it cover to cover and took the lessons to heart. Here are the ones I remember in my old age.
1. Carry a notebook and pencil at all times. Write down what you’ve seen and learned and specific instructions from your management. It will be helpful if you repeat back your understanding of important instructions.
2. Never let your boss be surprised.
There were several more which time has stolen from me. But I followed them all to the letter and I was considered by the people around me as being very good at my job. And even when my boss really, really didn’t want to hear what I had to say he was never blindsided by something I knew, and he didn’t.
BTW, I miss books that were substantial and printed on rag paper.
You should start a publishing house.
“Substantial Book Company.”
I take it Kindle is not your thing.
That’s a great share! In my mid, ambitious 20’s, I devoured leadership and motivational books - including all of Trump’s books (even ‘though I never dreamed I’d be a real estate investor!). As with you, I kept the key messages to heart. I became a self-made millionaire because of those mental notes and disciplines - but have experienced many fantastic people and places that are beyond (and before) the financial wealth. The sad thing, for me, is that I’ve learned that no matter how hard I try to help certain family or friends, I can’t force ambition upon others. Many come to me for help, but the innate drive is missing in most...even to read a simple book.