- Do what you love. I know this is very cliché but it is so true. If you are a creative yet go to work in the financial field I can guarantee that you will not be happy. While the financial world may provide you with the bank account you may enjoy it does not fulfill you when you lay your head on the pillow at night.
- Do have an inspiration (or two). I think there are tangible inspirations as well as people who inspire us and we need both. Visual inspiration is not to be taken for granted - even for the non-creative types. Everyone is inspired by something and someone. Find both.
- Do define the limitations of B.S. in your life. We are the only ones that can control what comes in and what we let out of our lives. Create a barrier. Dump what is not relevant and absorb what will enrich you.
- Do have trusted friends. While you may not always like what they have to say they will, likely, never steer you wrong. And note, despite what social media depicts, this circle should be very small. Only a few can and will know you well. Trust them!
- Do have a mentor. You are never too old to have a mentor personally or professionally. They are the two (one for each) that can see unbiased(ly) into your life. They can depict situations that you cannot see coming and offer invaluable advice!
- Do see reality. We tend to envision things as we wish them to be as opposed to the reality of what they are. The previous 5 steps may help in doing that.
- Don’t be afraid to try something new. I know this is elementary but the older we get, I find, that the more rigid we become. Whether it is a cuisine that you would not normally eat or another that you would not typically call your “type” trying something new often surprises you on a whole new level!