Jai shares some insights she pulled from the book, The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter and How to Make the Most of Them.
Society keeps saying that your thirties are the new twenties, and while this mantra sounds great, this kind of mindset has caused many social and emotional problems for actual 20 somethings. It has, for the most part, had a negative effect on 20 somethings lives. Many 20, some things are essentially delaying adulthood, which leaves them feeling lost in their twenties and the need to catch up in their thirties.
It is a fascinating book, which Jay highly recommends. And you can pick up a copy here: https://amzn.to/2XE3kp4
Our twenties can feel like we are hopeless in the midst of a vast ocean, and that swimming in the wrong direction could mean death.
This is a metaphor that causes anxiety and despair, but more than anything, it just does not reflect the career journey accurately.
Think of your career as going to the grocery store to buy cereal breakfast, cereal, you walk into the store and you find out where the cereal is. And when you get to the cereal aisle, you are taken aback by the vast quantity of options to choose from. Actually the amount of options to choose from is overwhelming. And for a moment, you do not know where to even start in making a decision. Does that sound similar to the start of your career? How do you deal with that situation?
How to Deal with Decisions:
- Go into problem solving mode.
Reflect a little bit and about who you are and what you like. Consider your values. - “Change your mind to see each job as an experience that tells you more about yourself, the things you like and those you don’t.”
“The most important thing to do is not to be paralyzed.”“Make a decision, learn from your experience of the decision, refine your criteria, choose the next job based on your new criteria. Repeat the process. And one day you will find yourself in a job that is perfect for you."Want more information from The Graduate at Work?