9 hard-earned business and life lessons

Something whispered, perhaps—imparted with the secrecy and gravitas of the Masons’ handshake or the map of King Solomon’s mines.

Chances are, you didn’t listen. That’s understandable; you were young and bold—and kinda stupid.

Since your salad days, whether they were last year or decades ago, what do you wish you had known? That one thing that would have made your personal or professional life easier. Maybe it was whatever Aunt Miriam or Uncle Chet told you at your graduation party. Perhaps it’s that piece of wisdom that you earned, damn it.

PR Daily asked nine people in the PR and media industries this question. Here’s what we learned:

Love what you do; everything else will fall into place.

Can’t get no satisfaction at the office? You had better start looking for it, according to James Fallows, national correspondent for The Atlantic.

“What matters most is finding work you enjoy and feel satisfied by,” said Fallows, a Harvard graduate. “That is the only thing (professionally) worth worrying about. If you figure this out, finances will take care of themselves. If you don’t, you’ll have bigger worries than the strictly financial.”