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...

This is the time of year when the nation’s graduates line up for accolades (and their diplomas). It is, for them, a beginning—a commencement of a new phase in their life.  But ahead of that, most are given the “opportunity” to hear some words of wisdom and inspiration from an individual that they have likely never heard of (though their parents may have). In that spirit, I’d like to offer the graduates of 2023 some lessons I’ve picked up along the way: 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.  Just 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. There actually ARE stupid questions. If your current boss doesn’t want to hear the truth, it may be time to look for a new one. There can be a “bad” time even for good ideas. ...

Life has many lessons to teach us, some more painful than others—and some we’d just as soon be spared. But for the graduates of 2020—well, theirs is surely a unique time. So, if you have a graduate—or if you ARE a graduate, here are some thoughts…    My kids have passed those milestones—but I have two nieces that will graduate this year without an “official” ceremony to commemorate the occasion, no capstone to those years in pursuit of education, and preparation for the next of life’s stages, and—while social media, cell phones, TikTok and Zoom provide some solace—this is a class that will, for the moment anyway, be denied the hugs and warm embraces of classmates, friends and family alike. That said, those next steps lie ahead—and if the when, where (and how) remains elusive—the if is surely only a matter of time. And as graduates everywhere look ahead to the next chapter in their lives, it seems a good time to reflect on some lessons learned along the way—m...

Life has many lessons to teach us, some more painful than others – and some we’d just as soon be spared. But as graduates everywhere look ahead to the next chapter in their lives, it seems a good time to reflect on some lessons learned along the way. It’s handy to know at least a little about sports and the weather. Paying the minimum due on your credit cards is dumb. Be willing to take all the blame – and to share the credit. Know that there actually  are  stupid questions. Try not to be the one asking them. Shun those who are cruel to others – and don’t laugh at their “jokes” – sooner or later, you’ll be a target. Never say you’ll never. “Bad” people eventually get what’s coming to them, though you may not be around to see it. Always sleep on big decisions. When it seems too good to be true, it’s generally not good nor true.  Never let your schooling stand in the way of your education. Sometimes the grass on the othe...

Life has many lessons to teach us, some more painful than others – and some we’d just as soon be spared. But as graduates everywhere look ahead to the next chapter in their lives, it seems a good time to reflect on some of the lessons we’ve learned. Here are some nuggets I’ve picked up along the way…. Be willing to take all the blame – and to share the credit. There actually are stupid questions. Shun those who are cruel – and don’t laugh at their “jokes.” Never say you’ll never. Be on time. “Bad” people eventually get what’s coming to them. But you may not be there to see it. Always sleep on big decisions. Sometimes the grass looks greener because of the amount of fertilizer. Never email in anger – or frustration. And be extra careful when using the “Reply All” button. If your current boss doesn’t want to hear the truth, it may be time to look for a new one. Never pass up a chance to say “thank you.” If you wouldn’t want your mother to learn about it, don’t do it....

This weekend our youngest will graduate from college. It’s a big day for him, of course, and a big deal for us, having for some part of the past eight years had either one, two — and for one interesting year, all three — of our children in college at the same time. Life has many lessons to teach us, some more painful than others. But as my son — and graduates everywhere — look ahead to the next chapter in their lives, it’s a natural time for the rest of us, particularly those of us who are parents, to reflect on the lessons we’ve learned along the way. So, for my son — and all the other graduates out there — here are some things I wish I had known when I entered the workforce:   1. If you don’t speak up, people will assume you’re happy with the way things are.   2. If you wouldn’t want your mother to learn about it, don’t do it.   3. Never assume that your employer (or your boss) is looking out for your best interests.   4. You can be liked and ...

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...