"Pick Something and Be the Best."
The first time I heard these words exit my friend's mouth, I thought, "If only it were that simple. Who just 'picks' something?" My skepticism at the time was likely heightened by the fact that my eldest was contemplating a change in her college major, something I did FOUR times. I also knew after decades of executive recruiting that not everyone "stays the course" and career changes are not uncommon. My brain shouted, "But what if what you pick is the WRONG thing? Then what? This is just too simple.”
As I watched this friend navigate the next - and drastically different - step in his lengthy military career, I observed how this lesson handed down from his father, a straight-shooter who might also advise you to "rub some dirt" on that skinned knee, played out over the next few years of his career. He went right to work pooling all of the resources he could to tackle unknown territory with the very best tools and mindset in place. He read ALL of the books (his library is ridiculous!), he took advice from ALL of the mentors, and he even sought counsel on how to adapt to a new and lessened 'op tempo.' He and his wife, a rockstar labor and delivery nurse, applied the same mindset to raising their babes as they moved all over the globe, changing schools, nursing jobs, making new friends at the toughest ages, and missing the ones they left behind. They were diligent about learning as much as possible about every new duty station, researching the best schools and opportunities for their kiddos. And they soaked up every chance for an enriching, outdoorsy, cultural experience their new region had to offer. They wasted exactly ZERO seconds complaining, waffling, regretting.
And they thrived.
What I know now is that this advice doesn't just apply to your college major or your career choices. It is a way of life. Whatever it is that you've chosen to do, do your very best. If something is chosen for you, do your very best. If your assignment is less than thrilling, do your very best. When life throws you a curveball, as it often does, do with it the very best that you can. For those around you, be your very best. Showing up at work or home or play with anything less than your best effort is just a waste, for you and for everyone else on the team.
Pick something. Pick all of the things. And be the very best. It really is just that simple.