- Time, tide, and formation wait for no one.
As a Plebe (freshman year as a Midshipman) at the U.S. Naval Academy (“USNA”), you are required to learn certain historical and statistical information about USNA, the Navy and other branches of the military, and life as a Midshipman, and recite this information to upperclass Midshipmen upon orders to do so. The statement above is a part of the daily recitation of the Plan of the Day. It is the last statement that is shouted out before meals and formations – “…time, tide, and formation wait for no one…you now have [ xx ] minutes, sir!”
This is the first idea that I shared because it has not only stayed with me since my time at USNA, it has had significant meaning in all aspects of life. Some say “carpe diem” and “YOLO”; the intent is the same. The world will not wait for you; you have to go out to meet it. Do so, in a timely fashion.
- No one is too old for bedtime stories.
Creativity should not end with childhood. We understand, perhaps now more than ever, that having an active and engaged mind is essential to being human and will keep us mentally well and balanced as we age. Let your imagination run wild every now and again. Read great fiction and build worlds in your mind. It’s healthier than broccoli.
- More. Questions.
At Zip Code, we teach our students that asking questions leads to better learning outcomes, employment outcomes, and professional work product and productivity outcomes. Clients prefer it, managers demand it, and students fare better for it. If you say you are intellectually curious, there is no reason why you should engage in healthy dialogue with others to find out more about the knowledge they are sharing with you.
This seems to be a challenge in the modern world. Instead of seeking to understand, we make decisions based on internal knowledge or information from others rather than seeking it from the source. This leads to premature judgments and misinterpretation which can kill productivity, relationships, and careers.
Ask more questions. Give others a chance to give you a better understanding. Everyone benefits.
- Career Growth is directly proportional to Growth Mindset
In the past, I have heard others judge having anything less than a linear career as being a failure. Nothing could be further from the truth. The most successful members of our society have taken a ‘path less traveled,’ and furthered mankind as a result. One example: I took a stand up comedy class; it was not only fun, it improved my public speaking ability and communication skills.
What interests you? What seems new and exciting? Explore. Stay open to new ideas and give yourself an opportunity to do more, take calculated personal risks, and open yourself up to new information.
- AI is dead; long live AI.
The evolution of AI is moving at a pace much faster than the world. According to NVIDIA’s CEO, we are now past the generative phase of AI and moving into the agentic phase.
What does that all mean? Are you falling behind already? Yes, but it will be okay. No need to panic. We need to recognize, as a society, that the old rules of adopting technology have changed and the 2 (to 10) year grace period afforded by Moore’s Law is no longer applicable. Learn, continuously, or be left behind.
- You can do hard things.
Life does not get easier. Handle hard better. If you know, you know.
This applies to our society, as a whole, too. As communities face climate change, countries face existential identity crisis, and economic structures shift, falter, and grow, we must learn to handle hard better and demand more of ourselves and humanity.
- Solutions are not just for superheroes.
From early Greek literature to modern day movies about superheroes, the central figure (the hero) undertakes a journey that challenges them and requires that they learn, grow, and adapt to solve a problem. We love these heroes and their stories. We spend billions on them; they are pervasive in our culture and history.
So why do we falter when a challenge is presented to us? Why aren’t we the hero in our own story? We are born to rise above challenges, just like the fictional characters we admire so much. We can learn, grow, and adapt in the face of adversity, figure out a solution to life’s challenges, and be the one others cheer and look to for comfort, safety, and inspiration when it’s time to ‘save’ the world around us.
We can all be heroes.
- We are all technologists.
In the military, you learn that every Marine is a rifleman. At USNA, every Midshipman is an engineer. With that understanding, I would suggest that in today’s society every person is a technologist. Technology is pervasive in our lives: it is in every industry known to man, every company, and every minute of our professional and personal lives. Phones, refrigerators, cars, . . . you name it.
But we must move beyond just using technology, we have to learn to wield it. The successful future of technology is intertwined with the successful future of humanity.
- The lips of wisdom are closed but to ears of understanding.
Squid Game 2 fans will definitely understand this bit of advice which was demonstrated in the game Red Light Green Light!
Oftentimes, when we give advice from a place of love and caring, with the best of intentions, and from having a lived-experience. Even so, the recipient may brush it aside. They may do so with disdain, cynicism, apathy, or just lack of interest or understanding of the advice.
To every extent possible, avoid responding from a place of fear, anger, resentment, judgment or any other negative emotion. Don’t push them aside or shun. Be the guiding light. Be the voice of reason that they hear and embrace when they begin to understand.
- In all things, give thanks.
Whether the world gives you good times or bad, embrace it all with gratitude and the understanding that it will make you a better person for that lived experience.
If you can learn to absorb the challenges that will surely come – the roller coaster of life with its ups and down – then you can begin to smile, throw your hands up in joy even when the sharp descent comes around, and truly enjoy the ride.
Desa Burton, Executive Director, Zip Code Wilmington
