I prepared these for a presentation I gave to graduating design students but then found myself sharing these same things with my teams. It's how I think and work...
1) Learning never stops
Make it your goal to learn from the experienced folks. See what others are doing right, steal it and add something to it to make it your own.
2) Do what you do with enthusiasm
Hard work is always worth it. Put in the time, do more than what's required. Your energy is contagious (positive or negative).
3) It is ok to not know something
Ask questions. Make no assumptions.
4) Take breaks and refresh
Get a coffee or take a walk instead of staying on the grind. Celebrate when your colleagues choose to unplug for a vacation. Travel whenever you can. The world is bigger than you think.
5) Share what you know
Teaching and helping other people is cool. It deepens your understanding.
6) Make mistakes
Acknowledge when you do and learn from them. Stuff happens. Everywhere. It's ok, I guarantee stuff will happen again later.
7) Share credit and make others the heroes
People light up when you amplify their strengths and remind them of how awesome they are.
8) Say please and thank you
Kindergarten rules still apply. This rule was originally written as Don't be a punk.
9) Network with your former coworkers
The world is smaller than you think. The creative and design world where we dwell is even smaller and relationships and how you treat people matters as much as the work.
10) Be kind
It really is that simple. It beats the alternative every time.
Most importantly
Spend time with people you care about as often as you can. Eat lunch, go to happy hour, bowl, write, shoot pictures, play an instrument, see a show, dance badly, go for a run, tell jokes, eat food that's bad for you, give awkward hugs, make stupid faces, get coffee. Just be sure to do all of that with a friend or two. Or call me and I'll join you. (In other words, #4 again).