Bruce Springsteen gave a speech at a music convention a couple weeks back. Although the speech was aimed at music industry professionals – and hopefuls – the concluding portion is parallel with how you, as a rising professional, should live your life and manage your career. Great advice from a living icon:

“Rumble, young musicians, rumble.” Springsteen continued, “Open your ears and open your hearts. Don’t take yourself too seriously, and take yourself as seriously as death itself. Don’t worry, but worry your ass off. Have iron-clad confidence, but be skeptical — it keeps you awake. Believe you’re the baddest ass in town and remember you suck – it keeps you honest. Be able to keep two entirely contradictory ideas alive and well in your heart at all times. If it doesn’t drive you crazy it will keep you strong. And when you walk onstage tonight to bring the noise, treat it like it’s all we have, and then remember — it’s only rock and roll.”