When you think back to your school
days, you’re probably grateful to be past #2 pencils, homework assignments, pop
quizzes, and seemingly impossible restrictions.
But hidden among the classroom rules for sitting still, keeping your
hands to yourself, and raising your hand to speak were other rules that shaped
the way you developed and presented your abilities both then and now.
The next time you visit your
hometown or attend a high school reunion, be sure to thank your teachers for
these life-long lessons:
Always do your best work. Sure, you could have gotten by submitting
sub-par, late-night, last-minute projects, but your teachers were quick to let
you know that you could do better. They
expected more from you, every day, with every assignment. You do your best now for the same reasons you
did then: that sense of pride you get
for giving a job your all and the appreciation you get from others for doing
something well.
Write neatly! Your teachers told you to take your time for
a reason. Mistakes can be avoided and so
much miscommunication can be eliminated when you make the effort and write (or
type or file or organize your work) neatly.
Show your work. This was always particularly true for math
teachers, who insisted on not just coming up with the right answer, but also
for showing the steps you took to reach your conclusion. Now that you’re a professional, it’s equally
important to document your process and your work. Colleagues, supervisors, and clients may have
questions during and after a project, and having the paperwork to backup or
justify your actions can help encourage support and cooperation or solve
problems that inadvertently arise.
Well done!
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