6 Solid Pieces of Career Advice To Start Your Week

career advice from professionals

Need some motivational career advice? In an effort to make this upcoming work week slightly more bearable, Creative Live is starting your Monday with a roundup of our favorite job tips from experts in every field –– including a former Olympian! Whether you’re embarking on a new career or happy in your current one, we all need the occasional kick-in-the-pants to get motivated. Check out the words of wisdom below so you’re ready to dive into your work week!

You’re Only As Good As Your Team

“Anna Wintour told me once, that she never leaves a meeting without having made a decision, without having given a decision to her team. That is really, ultimately, the primary responsibility of anybody who is managing a team. I keep that in mind every time I sit down in a meeting. People can’t do their work, they can’t do their job, if they aren’t given the decisions that they need from their leader.”  –– Bronson van Wyck, co-founder of Van Wyck & Van Wyck

Speaking Of Teams, Find A Great One

“Your experience is really dependent on the people who you’re working with and your team surrounding you. Being able to work with people that you are excited to work with, and who you can learn and grow from, can be a huge benefit to your career.” –– Emily Hughes, former Olympian / business analyst at Google

Dreams Are Great, But Reality Is Where It’s At

“In the great tradition of these speeches, generally what happens is the speaker says something along the lines of, ‘You need to chase your dreams.’ But I am not going to say that because I don’t believe it. I don’t want you to chase your dreams. I want you to chase your reality. I want you to understand that you chase your reality not at the expense of your dreams, but as the foundation of your dreams.” –– Christopher Nolan, Director

Your Idea of “The Perfect Job” Might Change

“The idea of a perfect job is a time-dependent definition. The perfect job when you’re straight out of college is not the same as the perfect job even two years out of college, depending on what experience you’ve had. Keep an open mind.” –– Barry Steinglass, vice president of Client Software for Hulu.

You’re The CEO of Your Own Career

“I treat my career like it’s a big company and I’m the CEO. Subway time is office time. While getting from place to place, I email everyone, including my clients and lawyer.” –– Andrew Sotomayor, makeup artist

Find A Great Opportunity. Chase it.

“Never chase the money, but chase the interesting opportunities –– it will give you the chance to meet the most interesting people, do the most interesting work, and the money will follow.” –– Gina Pak HBS class of 2015

Mehera Bonner FOLLOW >

Mehera Bonner is a freelance lifestyle and entertainment writer. She lives in Brooklyn, NY, with her husband and two children.