OMG – it’s the end of the month and end of the QTR and we’re headed into the July 4th recess. Then it’s full steam ahead before the August recess. I’m ready for a break!

Here’s Tuesday Truths to get you through the week!

• I believe a great deal in what Eric Liu espouses and I hope that people who have recently become active in the political process will take it to heart about being a part of a community and those who have been in the battle, allow space for those who are interested in joining. Civic life doesn’t start/stop at becoming an elected official and it grows every time someone wants to be a part of the collective mission.

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• If you’re thinking about working in politics, doing it at a younger age has it advantages and if you’re extra fortunate to have the resources to participate, it’s even more advantageous. We’re talking long hours with very little compensation. I often say that working on campaigns can lead to many more opportunities should the campaign win and since campaigns are always understaffed, if you can excel at your job then you’re going to be successful. Campaign work is basically the equivalent of aging in dog years. You get to gain so much responsibility if people can see that you’re producing quality work. Life is good when you’re the last person standing or among the few left who survive the grind. With that mindset, it means that young people are given responsibility a lot faster than in a more structured setting and you may doubt your ability although management may seem to think otherwise. Confidence is a key factor to making sure that you don’t exude imposter syndrome as well as a healthy dose of reality from people who have more experience and are invested in your success. So if you’re in your early 20s you may benefit from hearing about Adam Litt, a former presidential speechwriter who worked in the White House at 24 years of age.

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• Are you getting interrupted at work meetings? Then here are 3 strategies that you can engage so that you can address the issue. Much thanks to Senator Kamala Harris and all those women in power who have to do this on the daily and in full public consumption because women, regardless of their status are not immune to it.

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• There are days when I want a “re-do” and just rewind so that I can have a fresh start. Unfortunately, that’s not possible so instead I try to find ways to turn it around. So I’m sharing 11 ways you can give yourself a moment and start again. What do you like to do when you’re having a bad day? If you’re looking for ways to make your habits more routine so that you can also overcome the everyday stresses of life, here are ways you can lead a less hectic life.

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• I’ve spent a great deal of June speaking on panels, whether to interns or full fledge attorneys and giving lots of career advice to those who are seriously thinking about running for public office. I get asked a lot of similar questions and it basically boils down to “What would you tell your younger self about your career trajectory?”. I did tell a group that they should consider a purchase in real estate in DC because everyone says that they’re staying for 5 years and then 25 years later, they realize that they should have bought property instead of renting #beingpractical. I have also started saying that life is unfair, get used to it and don’t think you need to take giant leaps to make a difference. I try to be inspiring and in the end, I find that I would rather give practical advice because work life is never consistently rosy. As a result, I’m happy to find that Jennifer Romolini is offering career advice that most people don’t know how to share.

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• How many of you have formal mentors? I’m in several mentoring programs and they can be a little forced if there isn’t a real connection between the individual and me. As such, those who don’t have formal mentors can usually get away with paying attention to the people they admire and never talk with them because they follow their generic advice online or in publications. Here’s what you can do if you don’t have a formal mentor. Also a s/o to Jenny Kim for sharing this article with me. If you don’t follow her, you should because she dispenses a great deal of good advice! While we’re on the topic of mentors, do you know the difference between them and career coaches? Here’s a breakdown so that you can see what maybe better suited for your needs.

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• Instagram can be the devil in distraction, however it can also serve as a source of inspiration. I’ve been told that people sometimes hop over to my feed to check out what I’m doing as a “pick me up” so although my life isn’t always as exciting as my feed, I’m glad that people can find some joy in it. So if you’re in need of a boost to your career then check out these 5 Instagram accounts to get motivated.

Thanks for reading/sharing and let me know how you’re doing!

–Madalene