This year’s celebration of Women’s History Month gave me a reason to pause and reflect on my 39-year career in the printing industry. Reflection feels natural at this stage of my career — when the road behind me is longer than the road ahead and I’ve made enough mistakes to earn a little wisdom.
That reflection has led me to ask myself some honest questions: Did I make the most of my career? Could I have done better? What would I change? I don’t always have clear answers. But there is one question I can answer with confidence: What advice would I give my younger self?
So, in the spirit of sharing — and maybe helping someone else along the way — here are seven things I would tell my younger self.
1. Focus on the goal.
There will always be obstacles. There will always be people who underestimate you, distract you, or make you question whether it’s worth the effort. Stay focused on the outcome. The goal is bigger than the noise. Persistence pays off over time.
2. Don’t let others squash your enthusiasm.
Not everyone will share your energy or vision. Some may even try to temper it. Protect your enthusiasm. It’s one of your greatest assets. Passion gives you staying power — and staying power builds careers.
3. Remain teachable.
I don’t naturally love change, and we work in an industry that reinvents itself constantly. Early in my career, supervisors encouraged me to adopt new processes and approaches that would improve my work. Instead of embracing those changes, I resisted them… until I didn’t have a choice.
They were right.
Looking back, I’m grateful for those moments. They taught me that growth requires openness. I don’t know everything, and I don’t need to. Staying curious and willing to learn has been one of the most powerful career advantages I’ve gained.
Read the rest of this story on Printing Impressions, a publication of PRINTING United Alliance, ASI’s strategic partner.
