Seven life rules I have used to help me be successful (a t least in what I do)

I have been away for work (yep - I am one of those 'works but homesteads' sort of people)....and part of trip involved me talking to young college students about what they need to consider when starting out their careers. This got me thinking! What are the pieces of wisdom this 52 year old can really give to a student that might help them along?

And so I started to write down those little rules that I follow that have really helped me to end up in a wonderful job and have a wonderful homestead (in construction).

I came up with seven...maybe I have a few more...but seven seemed to be those things that really have made a difference. Now these seven are beyond a pile of moral rules that I live (be honest, be kind, be helpful, be friendly etc)....

Here they are: http://www.almostafarmer.com/life-rules/

What are your rules? Can we add to the list and come up with a pile of things that we can offer as advice to young folks :p

Cheers

Gaz
www.almostafarmer.com

Don't work for cheap for very long. While you may need to take a low rate in the beginning, take steps to improve your value, and cash in on that. Don't take promises of future work or payment to the bank. As you become worth more, insist on being paid more.

Try to become "the guy" for the things that you are good at. I'm going to punch some holes in a concrete foundation today. This is a simple manual task. It's also one that must be done right, safely and on time. They are paying me $350 per day. They have somewhat qualified help that work for less than half of that. By being awesome at it, I can command a better wage. Get really good at one or more things, then sell it hard.

Good one! I like it!

My Dad also taught me to measure twice, cut once! Boy - has that always be so right!

Live below your means. Most people that I have spoken to about this, adjust their lifestyle, whenever they see an increase in family income. We want things. This is natural. It may also be quite natural to consume all resources as they are aquired, but this is not the best strategy for those who truly want to get ahead financially. The ability to postpone gratification can be the personal trait that makes the difference between living comfortably and perpetual struggle.

I've spent a few years in perpetual struggle. It gets old. My kids used to be embarrassed when their friends found out that I was living at job sites. Now they look at my place and the house that I bought for their mother and it doesn't seem so bad. I'm an extreme case, but a little frugality is something many should try. I can't imagine myself being a young man and paying rent. To me,if you are landless, living in someone else's building is an extravagance. I can see the need for families to have a permanent address, but a healthy young guy paying rent when he could avoid it, seems like a poor way to get ahead.

I think "Be Content" is a good rule. Be content with where you are and what you have.
I'm not saying don't strive for more but don't make it become an obsession.
Contentment and patience are important to prevent rash decisions that end up bad..
Don't let the world fool you by luring you with pretty shiny trinkets that other people have or by selling you things you "should" have or absolutely "need" when you really don't.
Success comes in many forms and if someone isn't happy and satisfied with their life, they will never feel successful no matter how much they have.
So be content while you dream.

And along the same lines (since I saw it recently and it was in my mind)

I don't see contentment as a realistic goal for my personality type. I think being happy in the pursuit of various goals can be a healthy alternative. When I get something that I want, there's satisfaction in that. But, it's not long until I want more. It could be more of the same thing or something else entirely. Those who are content may enjoy life more. I don't know. I suppose that if I could be content while continuing to strive for more and more, it might be better for my health.