We asked each of the Forty Under 40:
Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give to yourself 10 years ago?
■ Michael Allen: Make a better effort to appreciate the “big moments” before moving on to the next thing, whether a big product launch or a clinching game in the NBA Finals.
■ Chris Allphin: I wasn’t great at listening when I was 27, but I guess it would be worth a try. Focus on people and relationships; everything else will fall into place.
{podcast}
SBJ Podcast:
Forty Under 40 editor Mark Mensheha and Executive Editor Abraham Madkour discuss this year's class, some of the more interesting stories in it and how the selection process works.
Trust the timing of your life … and enjoy it.
■ Lyle Ayes: Slow down. Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither is a successful career.
■ Nick Baker: Enjoy the current job a bit more while still striving for the next opportunity.
■ Tom Brady: Always stretch, and I mean that both physically and mentally.
■ Sashi Brown: Be more aggressive in networking. For me, more than looking at what the next opportunity is down the road, it’s having other smart people who are resources. Having a pool to think through things with has become tremendously valuable.
■ Nicholas Carey: Sleep, exercise and travel more before having kids.
■ Justin Connolly: Stay in more regular contact with people from various areas and stages of your life.
■ Juan Delgado: Don’t worry so much about the immediate future. As long as you’re focused on the right strategic things, good things will come.
■ Ray DeWeese: You won’t be able to predict what your next job will be, or really what you will be doing in 10 years. Just do the job you have very well, work hard, and treat people with respect. I would add that you aren’t as smart as you think you are, and that perspective changes your understanding.
■ Jennifer Duberstein: Take a breath. It is acceptable to take a look out of the window and enjoy the journey.
■ Janet Duch: Enjoy the moment.
■ Rosalyn Durant: Relax.
■ Colin Faulkner: Don’t be in such a hurry to get there.
■ Tom Griffiths: Take yourself less seriously.
■ Eric Guthoff: Don’t be afraid to take risks.
■ Flavil Hampsten: Invest in yourself. Make time to take courses and to read about business and current topics.
■ Seth Jacobs: Buy a lot of Apple stock.
■ Dave Kaval: Play to your strengths.
■ Chris Klein: Enjoy the ride — both the ups and the downs.
■ AJ Maestas: Don’t sweat the small stuff.
■ Paraag Marathe: Your job is only what you do; it’s not who you are. Be yourself, and focus on your friends and family.
■ Chris Marinak: Pick a career you enjoy, and the rest will work itself out.
■ Stephen McArdle: I’d tell my younger self not to always focus on achieving the immediate next step and be sure to look toward the horizon from time to time to make sure the long-term destination is somewhere I’m happy heading.
■ Scott Milleisen: Think big, don’t take no for an answer, and be a great partner to all.
■ Dan Reed: Follow your passions in your career without worrying too much about what it means. Things usually take care of themselves.
■ Jason Robins: No one person ever built anything great and sustaining by themselves or just by following their own ideas and ignoring everyone else.
■ Frank Saviano: Try to dedicate more time to valuable causes outside of work (e.g., pro bono, volunteering).
■ André Schunk: Don’t vacation in the U.S. when you live in Europe.
■ Chad Seigler: Don’t be scared to step out of your comfort zone and be confident in your decisions.
■ Dan Shell: As someone on our staff says quite a bit, “to see the forest through the trees,” and use that philosophy on one’s decision-making process day to day.
■ Brad Sims: Take any chance you get to work with people smarter than you, people that challenge you to get better.
■ Jared Smith: Be bolder and quicker on making personnel adjustments to enhance your team.
■ Teri Patterson Smith: The same advice I give myself today: to stay patient and true to myself and never give up.
■ Meredith Starkey: Do well with what you are given and remain teachable.
■ Mike Tomon: Taking care of your body directly and positively impacts your energy in other areas of life.
■ Danny Townsend: Success is all about hard work and being persistent in your pursuit of what you want to achieve. Enjoy the progress, and share it with family and friends.
■ Jennifer van Dijk: Stay present. It’s too easy to think about what being a senior executive will be like when you’re just starting out, and it’s too easy to forget to enjoy the moment.
■ Nicole Jeter West: Don’t be afraid to fail. When fear knocks, let faith answer.
