"10 Things I Wish I'd Known - Before I Went Out Into the Real World"

One day, when I was googling about the Scharwzeneggers, I found Maria Shriver's list of the ten things she wished she'd known before she went out into the real world. She wrote the book based on a speech she actually never intended to give in 1998 at the College of Holy Cross. Who would've guessed that she had performance anxiety? The title piqued my curiosity so I immediately searched for the commencement address. After watching the speech, there were so many things that I viewed from a different perspective. I almost wanted to quote every sentence she said individually and have them framed on my wall. You can watch the speech here. Regardless of the fact that this is from almost two decades ago, the message was clear as day. Here are some of the key points of advice that resonated with me:

-First and foremost: Pinpoint your passion.
Maria knew she wanted to become a TV anchor. Her family and friends however, advised her not to. They urged her to become a lawyer, a business woman on Wall Street, or a politician. This is something I'm sure that we can relate to: people's opinion vs. your own. The thing that struck me was not only that she succeeded in what she wanted to be, but to listen to yourself, not what you think "your parents, or your teachers, or society, or your brothers" would want you to do. 
-No job is beneath you.
When I saw this on the list, I thought well, this is a weird tip. People always make fun of the workers at McDonald's and tease you if you were to have any type of menial job. I haven't had job before, but somehow rooted in my mind, my first job was going to be great. Somewhere that was distinguished with a comfortable working environment. But after a couple rejected responses, I learned that was not going to be the case. Maria mentioned that "there isn't anyone who hasn't started from the bottom and benefitted from it." and that "Starting from the bottom builds character." I realized that there is still much much much more to learn and that this "weird tip" has particularly helped me see people and opportunities in a different light.
-Your behavior has consequences.
When Maria was granted a chance to become the new anchor, but had to do some dirty work to get it, she told the big guys in the business N-O. However, what I noticed was how she followed up with the denial: she told them that she did want the job, but not under those circumstances. Even when she had relatively no power in the television business, she had the confidence and integrity to decline when she knew it wasn't right. Soon after, she Maria still got the job, but that the big guys in the biz who asked her to do their dirty work no longer worked there. 
-Don’t expect anyone else to support you financially.
I loved this piece of advice. I know so many people who just expect to marry a rich partner or expect their parents to take care of them for the rest of their life. Although it sounds like an easy life to live, there's nothing to really be proud of. Maria Shriver said it best, "Make your own way, live within your own means, work for your money. There is no better way than that for building genuine self-worth and self-respect."