I speak with job seekers almost every day. I enjoy getting their feedback about Realmatch’s platform and I enjoy hearing their stories. I learn something by listening and understanding their point of view. But you don’t need to speak with job seekers everyday to understand what I am about to tell you. As a matter of fact, unless you were born a millionaire and have always had money, I am sure you can completely relate.
So here it is: A lot of people feel tremendous pressure to succeed in their career.
Despite the collapse of the economy and the massive layoffs, the expectation to succeed professionally in this country is as high as it has ever been. There is one component of this pressure that I am seeing more of though and it’s really kind of bugging me. So before we get to this pressure, let me ask you a few questions:
1. Where do think you should be career wise? Answer: ____________
2. At your age, you should be making at least________?
3. At your age, you should have a net worth of ________?
If you have specific expectations, you’re not alone. I have them and so does most everyone I know. I think that some of the pressure and some of the expectations are good but by far, most of these expectations are unrealistic and unhealthy for all of us. All of us place expectations on ourselves about money and things. Do you have an unrealistic expectation about where you think you’ll be based on someone you know…or worse yet, someone you read about? We place an enormous amount of pressure on ourselves to get to a place where we think we should be. And while I think everyone should strive to accomplish their dreams, there is a diminishing return when you are consumed by your drive. And if the drive is just money, you might be burning yourself out. The more you make, the higher your expectation.
There is nothing wrong with money; I am a huge fan myself. But like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives (loved that show). Life is finite; remember to balance the prime years in your life with the things that make you truly happy. These are usually things other than work and money. There is a scene in the movie Joe Black when the grim reaper is about to take an old women. He asks if she has enough pretty pictures to take with her. Despite all the chaos of life, take some time for yourself and make some pretty pictures. Have a great Thanksgiving weekend.
Yes I know what you mean!