Rule #21

Never be satisfied with your current level of expertise.

This one is so important that I should put it higher up on this list of rules. Of all the people I graduated with in 1996 with degrees in graphic design, only two are still in the industry. Most transitioned to a different career within five years.

I’m still in this industry A) because I love what I do, and B) I worked hard to stay relevant. I got a degree in Web Development when it became prudent to do so; I earned my master’s in marketing because it extended my versatility and allowed me to pivot, stay relevant, and open my career to more opportunities.

It’s easy to get comfortable and stale within a career. I advocate for staying paranoid and actively looking for ways to address weaknesses in your skill set.