1. Be proud of yourself and confident in your abilities no matter what. Confidence shines through and impacts how people will regard you. We all have a lot to learn, through all stages of life. No one ever knows everything. Even though you have a lot to learn as you begin to create a life, and a career, believe in yourself. But do so humbly. No one likes a braggart. I can’t tell you how many resumes come across my desks that are written with arrogance. They all wind up in the round file.

2. Make everyday count by learning something new every day. Then write your lessons learned down on a calendar, in a diary, or on an index card for future reference. Talking about these new things with family and friends will make you more interesting to people and help you keep in these lessons in mind –and in action.

3. Be time efficient in both your business and personal life. Also, I advise you to make more time for your family than for your business, as difficult as that may sometimes seems as you put in long hours. And don’t try to run your family like a business –a common mistake. It won’t work, and will just hurt you and your loved ones.

4 Read, read, read and then do more reading. Books are distilled wisdom and will make you smarter, more creative and provide you with a much more satisfying life. Also be sure to read the New York Times, especially all sections of the Sunday Times, especially the Week in Review, Business and Styles. One business book I read recently that I wholeheartedly recommend is “MicroTrends” by Mark Penn, an excellent resource for the budding entrepreneur. Another is “FutureThink” by futurists and trend-predictors Edie Weiner and Arnold Brown. Make CEOExpress.com your new homepage and refer to it frequently.
5 Entrepreneurs are a certain breed of independent thinking, ambitious person. Do you have those qualities? Here is a little quiz. Answer honestly.
(a) Are you a natural risk-taker or do you like to play it safe?
(b) Can you go for at least three months without taking a salary in hope of a payoff down the line? Have you saved money and do you have that nest egg?
(c) Are you highly creative and constantly think of new ideas? Do you look at products and think of ways to make or market them more effectively? Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night to write down an idea? Have you ever text messaged an idea to yourself because you were afraid you would forget it?
(d) Are you good at math and keeping books, especially your own checkbook?
(e) Are you willing to work 24/7 for the privilege of gaining financial independence and to never work for someone else again?
If you answered “Yes” to most of these questions then you are on your way.

The world is yours for the taking. Believe in yourself, run with it, and Good Luck!

-Ted Liebowitz Brooklyn College ‘79