December 2011

I came across a very interesting article that I wanted to share. It talks about what advice the elder generation would give to the younger generation if they could do it all over again. The elderly share some very good insight on what is really important, which can help any young professional today. Enjoy.  

(CNN) – In an episode of the popular sitcom “30 Rock,” television CEO Jack has a hallucinatory encounter with his future self, from whom he receives life advice that helps him avoid major mistakes.

Most of us would also like to know which choices and decisions we make as young people will benefit us later on — or come back to haunt us. Although there’s no way to step into our own futures, we can get a very good sense of what mistakes younger folks should avoid. We can ask our “future selves”: our elders.

Based on this premise, over the past six years, I’ve conducted several studies involving 1,200 older Americans regarding the advice they would offer to members of the younger generation. The research has included a national, random-sample survey, as well as in-depth interviews with several hundred persons identified as “wise.” To protect respondents’ identities, actual names are not used in the study. Participants ranged in age from age 60 to 108 (average age was 74) and represented a geographically and economically diverse sample of the older population.

The surveys addressed the question, what mistakes should younger people avoid? Respondents were also asked their views on what people are most likely to regret when they get to the end of life.

Answers were categorized into major themes regarding mistakes and possible regrets. The findings reveal some interesting cautions for the young (and not so young as well).

According to America’s elders, here are some of the biggest mistakes young people make: [click to continue…]

Tagged as: Building a Strong Foundation, Importance of Experience, Self Improvement

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