Nevin's Data "Points"

Life has many lessons to teach us, some more painful than others — and some we’d just as soon be spared. Regardless, if you have a graduate — or if you ARE a graduate, here are some insights I’ve picked up along the way…   When it seems too good to be true, it’s generally neither good, nor true. Because you’re young(er), people are going to assume you know things you don’t — and assume you don’t know things you do. Everything you’ve heard about your elders isn’t true. But some of it is. Everything your elders think about you/your generation isn’t true. But some of it is. Never say you’ll never… (at least not out loud). If the only time your boss hears from you is when there’s trouble, don’t be surprised if they don’t look forward to your visits. The people who say “it’s not about the money” generally already have some. If you’re always the smartest person in the room, you’re probably in the wrong room. Before hitting “Reply All,” take a walk. A good reputation takes years to b...

 Life has many lessons to teach us, some more painful than others—and some we’d just as soon be spared. But the graduates of 2021—well, they’ve been through a lot, arguably more than most—but with any luck at all, the days and years ahead will be brighter.  Regardless, if you have a graduate—or if you  are  a graduate, here are some insights I’ve picked up along the way…    ASAP is never as soon as people think. Even those who work for themselves have bosses (they’re called “clients”). Emails (generally) don’t have to be answered right this minute. Bad news doesn’t improve with age. Your first job can be like your first love—it will either bring a smile for years to come—or it can break your heart. And sometimes both.   Don’t expect your job to respect personal boundaries without some “help.” Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone. If the only time your boss hears from you is when there’s trouble, don’t be surprised if the...

Each year the good folks at Beloit College produce a “Mindset List” providing a look at the cultural touchstones that shape the lives of students about to enter college. So, in what ways will their retirement plans differ from those of their parents? In the most recent list (they’ve been doing it since 1998), the Beloit Mindset List notes that for the class of 2020 (among other things): There has always been a digital swap meet called eBay. They never heard Harry Caray try to sing during the seventh inning at Wrigley Field. Vladimir Putin has always been calling the shots at the Kremlin. Elian Gonzalez, who would like to visit the U.S. again someday, has always been back in Cuba. The Ali/Frazier boxing match for their generation was between the daughters of Muhammad and Joe. NFL coaches have always had the opportunity to throw a red flag and question the ref. Snowboarding has always been an Olympic sport. John Elway and Wayne Gretzky have always been retired. So, what abo...

In just a couple of weeks, tens of thousands of students (including a daughter of mine) will graduate from college.   For most, it’s a journey of joys, trials and tribulations, an education, not just from a textbook or a professor’s wisdom, but the insights that one can only get from actually living through a different stage of life.   Those students set out upon that journey years ago, and, doubtless following careful deliberation and the counsel of friends, families, and a few trusted advisors, a course was set.   A course that many “adjusted” – by choice and sometimes of necessity – over the course of the last few years, but a course for their future, nonetheless. Now the question is – what will they do next? As parents, we spend a lot of time, energy, and money trying to help our children make good choices, but at a certain point, most of us step back, grit our teeth (and sometimes close our eyes), and hope that they do.   Those decisions aren’t always th...

This past week, my son graduated from high school. It was a big deal for our family, as any graduation would be. However, this was in some ways a particularly special night, since my son is our youngest, and thus—well, it will be our last high school graduation (until grandchildren come along, anyway). The weather chased us inside for the ceremony, which also afforded us one more time to walk the halls that my kids had gotten so familiar with (and which still seem like a maze to me). Mostly, it was an occasion to look back one more time before turning our attention to the future. For me, it was a chance to look back and try to bring to mind my own high school graduation—and all the things that have happened in my life since then. So, for my son—and all the other graduates out there—here are some things I wish I had known when I was your age: If you don’t speak up, people will assume you’re happy with the way things are. If you don’t love yourself, nobody else will. If you wouldn...