“Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Food For Thought

Be The Lowest Risk For High Hopes

When Brad Katsuyama first started out as an intern in the Royal Bank of Canada, he knew he wasn’t getting into a glamorous position.

In fact, it was the least glamorous thing you could imagine: digitizing files (brb, we fell asleep just typing that).

But while some people might shy away from jobs like that, it was a moment that started Brad Katsuyama’s whole approach to climbing the corporate ladder.

Today, as CEO of the Investors Exchange, he’s finally made it to the top, and (luckily for us) he’s willing to share the philosophy that got him there. ?

His main advice? Be the lowest risk person for the highest risk opportunity.

“If you’re thinking long-term about your career development and you want to put yourself in the best position to get offered opportunities, make it the lowest risk possible for your company to do that.”

If your bosses are looking to fill a new opening, be the person who is ready to step in and get your hands dirty. It doesn’t matter if it’s not your dream job (heck – chances are it won’t be), but be willing to adapt and be a team player.

Make that learning curve your jam. You live on the learning curve. You invented the learning curve.

So when something new comes up, raise that hand. Get on those tiptoes. Be the one willing to jump in when no one else is.

Deep Dive

Throw Yourself In The Deep End

Did you read that like ‘heck yeah that’s totally me!’ but don’t know where to go from there? We got you: Ways to Take on More Responsibility at Work

Further Reading

So Good They Can’t Ignore You

Is “follow your passion” always good advice? Cal Newport doesn’t think so.

In his book So Good They Can’t Ignore You: Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love, Newport debunks the belief that a preexisting passion should guide your career choices and explains how you can find real meaning in work. Check it out.

Mission Daily

21st Century Investing

Wall Street is an industry mired in tradition and regulations. It has been a crucial part of America’s economy since its inception in 1792, less than 20 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

So how do you change an entire system that has spent hundreds of years defining its values? For Brad Katsuyama, CEO of the Investors Exchange, the solution was simple; build an entirely new system.

? Listen to the episode. ?

#MusicToMyEars

Almost There…

Listen. It’s almost the weekend. If you need a pick-me-up as much as we do, then crank this awesome Motivation Mix from Spotify. ?

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Happy Friday!

So… who doesn’t want to walk into the weekend comfy AF? ?

Luckily we’ve got just the gear to keep you cozy… ??

Pick up your very own Cozy Mission Sweatshirt now available at store.mission.org! ?

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(This was originally published on May 24, 2019 as the Mission’s daily newsletter. To subscribe, go here.)