Three years ago, I shared James Clear's advice regarding books: "A recipe for getting more out of what you read: Start more books. Quit most of them. Read the great ones twice." I take the same approach to podcasts. I start many episodes, abandon the ones that don't resonate, and go back to those that I absolutely loved. The very best find their way into my writing.

I used to think that abandoning a book, half read, reflected negatively on me. Was I not committed enough? Was I too easily bored? Was I too lazy to see the book through to its end? Later, I realized that certain books were just not for me, like an unpleasant item picked up at an all-you-can-eat buffet. I decided that some books were worth reading to the end, while others were not. And I concluded that I didn't need to judge the book, or its author, as good or bad. All I needed to do was to determine whether the book meshed with my interests and needs.

"One of life's fundamental truths states, 'Ask and you shall receive.' As kids we get used to asking for things, but somehow we lose this ability in adulthood. We come up with all sorts of excuses and reasons to avoid any possibility of criticism or rejection."

— Jack Canfield

One of the best ways to learn if someone else has gone through the same thing you're now facing is to be vulnerable first, to reach out to others with whom you feel comfortable and share your story. You will likely hear back—as a friend of mine did when she talked about her experience with anxiety—"me too," or "not me, but my sister" or "not that exactly, but this." You can, of course, read books, listen to podcasts and watch shows—among other things—to find stories like yours. However, in my experience, there's nothing quite like sharing your story with another person and hearing theirs in return.

That's why it's such a gift when individuals choose to share their stories. It can help us look at people who differ from us in a new light, understand the challenges they face, especially ones we don't face ourselves, and be more open-minded in our interactions with all people.

"I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy."

— Rabindranath Tagore

"The great thing about getting older is that you don't lose all the other ages you've been."

— Madeleine L'Engle

Granted, it's difficult to edit your own work. But there are tricks you can use to make your writing product as polished as it can be before passing it on to someone else:

Going through cancer can feel like a long road, but many of the people we meet on that journey are absolutely wonderful. To Jacinthe and all the nurses I have met in these past three years, happy National Nursing Week.

"You are a child of the universe,

no less than the trees and the stars;

you have a right to be here."

― Max Ehrmann

What is your key advice to those building a career in the public service? Be kind and respectful. Be visible. Deliver. Get to know what your boss needs and provide that as much as possible. Listen. Learn on the job. Make your boss's life easier. Get to know the people with whom you work regularly, including your boss, colleagues and key clients. If you are a manager, value and invest in your employees: they are key to your success. See the potential in others. Ask for help as soon as you start feeling overwhelmed or in over your head. Set boundaries, especially periods during the day or week when you will not be accessible, so that work doesn't intrude on the time you need to rejuvenate. Recognize the mentors all around you—anyone you can learn from, even if simply observing them. Stay long enough in a job to learn something and make a difference—longer if it's an awesome place to work.