Well — here it is. The last hurrah, the dénouement, the finale: my last editor's note. 

I’m sure it will read just the same for you, but it feels quite foreign to me, like doing anything with my left hand. I’ve been with The Odyssey since my freshman year — certainly a fun-filled three years. Based on my calculations, I’ve written close to 60 articles and edited around 300 more. As my math classes have not let me forget, my calculations are usually off, but still. That’s a lot of stuff.

I figured that between all the work I’ve done, things I’ve learned, screw ups I’ve made, and successes I’ve had, I should have learned a few things that I could pass on to my readers. I hope that this advice will not only help you run a magazine (insert: prevent it from falling apart), but help you become more successful in all your endeavors. 

Don’t forget the “small” people 

I’m not talking about midgets or dwarves, although we shouldn’t forget them either. These are the people that make things happen and make everything possible. For me, these people have been our wonderful writers, without whom we could never hope to fill a paper. They might spend an hour on an article in comparison to my 10-15 on an issue, but what they’re doing is still just as important (if not more) in bringing us closer to achieving our final goal.   

I’ve found this to be the same in life as well. And the more powerful you are (future CEOs take note), the more you have to rely on the work of these people in making your quota. Nothing happens on it’s own, and these people are integral in making anything — whatever it may be — happen. Whether or not you have a corner office on the 70th floor with a breathtaking view through booshy frosted glass doesn’t change the fact that they deserve to be treated with the same respect and awarded the same value. Without these people, you are nothing.

Handle Things Once

I’m one of the most easily distracted people on the face of this planet. Seriously — I could be distracted by drying paint. You would think that this might seriously limit my ability to be productive; you’re right on the mark.

In order to combat this, I instituted a rule for myself that I follow most of the time. The simple secret is to handle everything once. What’s this mean? Exactly what it sounds like. Any time I get an email, have an assignment to complete, or even get a text from a friend, I make sure to handle it immediately. This ensures that unread/not responded to emails are not floating around my inbox.

Be Understanding 

Every day we have to work alongside other people to achieve both our individual and collective goals. Despite popular opinion, you cannot do it alone. In life, things pop up that we cannot always control, and we just have to roll with it. An example that we all can connect with is framing this adage in the context of a group project. 

When a group mate tells you they can’t complete their assigned part of the project, don’t freak out (immediately). Sometimes these reasons are not so legitimate (binge watching all 8 seasons of "The Fairly Odd Parents" on Netflix). If they are, don’t get pissed. Yeah, everyone else might have to take on a bit more work, but at least it wasn’t your grandma that died. Exercise a bit of empathy, and you’d be surprised by how people respond. 

Kill 'Em With Kindness

I can boil this point down to this: There are already enough
jerks in this world, and I don’t need to be another one.   

It’s not always easy to be nice, and I don’t always have the energy to. I try anyways. All your interactions with other people will be easier once you get your nice on. People will be less standoffish and more inclined to help you out. Your life and everyone else in it will improve because of this change.