I wrote down one thing I learned every day for 10 years. And I’m still writing…
“people are often not as big as you assume” and other lessons on leaving a job.
Joe Fox says it over and over again in You’ve Got Mail, “It isn’t personal, it’s business.” and that’s hard to understand in your twenties because so much of who you are is tied up in your work identity and that first job is the only work identity you’ve had so far. But it’s business and leaving a job is actually less daunting than we make it out to be in our twenties. So here are some lessons to keep in mind when you are leaving a job, from someone who has been there a time or two (or five).
Lessons in work - For the Recent Graduate
Graduation season is one of my favorite times of year. It always reminds me of who I was when I was 21, an eager recent graduate with a head full of dreams for who I would become. As I sit here twelve years later, I can tell you that the role of work in your life is a most excellent teacher. And while there are things you simply have to learn for yourself, here are some important lessons I’ve learned in work that I wish someone had shared with me.
take the free samples
You might have to try a variety of different jobs or career paths in order to figure out the best one for you. While you are young, with fewer obligations or costs to worry about, explore as many opportunities as you can in order to figure out what you love to do. Don’t worry about wasting time or tasting too many different things.
Make your own “30 Under 30” List
It’s that time of year again… friends are asking for your address to send you a holiday card and Forbes just announced their 2022 30 Under 30 List. Both of these events can make you feel like you are behind or that you haven’t “made it” yet. But that’s not true, so hang in there and hang on.