May of 2013 will be Nineteen years since my high school graduation, and I can honestly say that time has flown by in what seems like the blink of an eye. Since that time I have become a husband and a father, graduated from college and law school, managed a busy legal career and currently serve in my local church in various capacities. Through it all there are a number of principles and life lessons that I often wish I had learned earlier in life, all of which my kids will hear me mention thousands of times, whether they like it or not.
If I were to speak to a group of seniors who will graduate this year, there are three key principles I’ve learned through trial and error that I’d offer to help those young adults avoid some potentially hard knocks that they’ll invariably face in life. Would you consider taking time now to apply them in your life?
PREPARATION OVER PROCRASTINATION
Whether the task at hand is a job interview, a school project, or a work presentation, a well-prepared person will have less anxiety as well as a greater sense of appreciation of the particular task accomplished. If only I had learned
This lesson when I was much younger, I could have saved myself countless sleepless nights. Procrastination never pans out, regardless of the final outcome. it robs you of the true sense of accomplishment any given task provides. Instead of procrastinating, get in the habit of setting early readlines and being prepared. The Bible says in proverbs 6:6-8: “go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.”
BE CONSISTENTLY CONSISTENT
anyone can do a good job once or twice, but doing your best on a consistent basis shows that you are a dependable and faithful person. Today, this character trait is missing in too many young people. you may be a talented person, but if you are not demonstrating that talent day in and day out, no one will be able to rely on you when the time counts. By the same token, you may not have a lot of talent, but if you are consistent and faithful, you add value to your relationships.
CHOOSE YOUR FRIENDS WISELY
christian writer and theologian C.S. Lewis once said “[t]he next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are.” during the past five years, I have had the privilege of developing friendships with other Christian guys that will last my lifetime. These men enjoy a good football game and are jokesters, but they also provide good and godly counsel in a time of need, even when I’m not in the mood to hear it. the more you see positive examples in your life, the more you will want to be a positive role model for others. Become friends with people who have goals and a strong work ethic, not just people you think are funny and cool. Proverbs 27:17 says it this way: “iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” Life is an accumulation of choices that we make over a span of many years. During that time we make some good choices and some not-so-good choices. While there are many other lessons in life you will no doubt learn, begin applying these three in your life and you will reap the benefits just as I have.
. . . . . . . . . .
Article by Henry Canelo
Henry and Kim Canelo lead the couples for Christ class that meets every Sunday morning at 10:30a.m. Henry maintains his practice at the law firm of Wilson Elser where he specializes in general, professional, and employment liability matters in state and federal court. The Canelos have four children: Ashton, Alyssa, Jaeden and Gavin.
Recent Comments