This is only useful advice if your passion aligns with the job market demand. Passions are also short-lived - you may be passionate about writing, but next year you might be passionate about animation. Narrowing down on your passion and the industries you love will limit your perspective and hamper your development.

What to do:

• In your 20s, think about matching your interests and potential to available opportunities.
• In your 30s, shift your focus from earning short-term rewards to making a long-term impact.
• Strong interests are "nice-to-haves," but flexibility is more beneficial.

In the perfect world, you would not need to promote and brand yourself. But in the real world, style will get you farther than substance. Research shows that connections, impressions, and showmanship beat talent and potential.

What to do: Your brand is mor...