Work & Life tips for the young

After completing 4 years of work life, I decided to pen down some learnings from my life that I have had for young professionals-

Health-

1. Have your breakfast. It is the most important meal and keeps you energetic in the first few hours which are the most productive. Your body goes in starvation mode after overnight sleep and your stomach yearns for food. If you dont eat, the stomach starts acting up by going acidic.
   
2. Drink lots of water thoughout day. Water keeps your mind working well as its required for motor-neurons function.
   
3. Limit coffee/tea to 2-3 cups in a day. Tea/coffee acts as de-hydrant for the body.
   
4. Have a nutritious lunch and evening snack. Respect your body as it is a delicate machinery and it has to serve you in old age and coming years. When we are young we feel indestructible, but if we dont take of our health it sooner or later backfires.
   
5. Take care of your back. Use a good ergonomically designed chair or a cushion/back rest. The back gets quite strained from sitting up for long hours. Move about frequently.
   
6. Sit in a proper posture. It helps your back and whole body to be pain free.
7. Blink your eyes often and make sure the computer screen is at least 25 cms away from your face.
   
8. Have regular exercise everyday. Any form of physical activity that makes up for your inactivity during the office timings. The body wastes away because of little physical activity. If you dont use it, you will lose it, the muscles and bones I mean.A sedantary job is a killer. It takes its toll on your body. Due to the sedantary nature you may experience weight gain as input(what you eat) simply exceeds output (what you do). So workout is necessary as it keeps you fit and active.
9. Have your milk. As we get older our bones start thinning. So your need your daily dose of calcium. Similarly try to have fruits too everyday or take a multi vitamin everyday if you cant be so regular. But natural is always better.
10. Have your daily sleep quota everyday or your may be less productive at work the following day. Ever heard of a sleep debt? The body accumulates sleep debt each time you under sleep and it has consequences like low energy and fatigue. So keep your sleep debt to a minimum and repay it at least on weekends.

Office--

1. Be friendly. Dont hesitate to be the first one to say Hi. It makes you more popular :-)
   
2. Respect everyone right from the pantry boy to your CEO.
   
3. Dont bitch about any co-worker as it may spread negativity and sour your relationships.
   
4. Be professional. Be postive in your approach.
   
5. Stick to deadlines and inform if you are having difficulties meeting them asap. Take your boss into confidence.
6. Never argue with your boss. You cant win. Even if you do , he may not like it. Take good care of his ego.
   
7. Read/learn about something new technology by setting 30 mintues aside everyday. If you wait for free time to read up that new exciting framework, you will never read it.
   
8. Participate in cultural activities.
9. Dont make late stays a habit. It has two perils- it may affect your work-life balance and you may also be taken for granted or exploited by other co-workers.
10. Be proactive and dont be afraid to swim in unexplored oceans. Take up intiative to explore new technologies and do new projects. It has 2 plusses - you become more knowledgeable and the new technology looks good on your resume.
11. Dont ever think that you know enough. Continuously upgrade your skills and never take your job for granted.