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Mike Watson's avatar

I ask myself the "what do i really want?" question a lot more each year. I've definitely seen my interest in titles or projects decline significantly over time.

These days, I want to find something to work on that I can dig into, feel like I'm making progress, and watch it emerge into the world (i.e., go to market). I don't care about most of the other career things like I did in my 30s.

Is there a fun Millennial-centric name for this? If not, we should probably make one.

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Kax Uson's avatar

"I don't care about most of the other career things like I did in my 30s."

same, fam. same. i think these days I find myself gravitating towards any work that lets me nap more, be an excuse to read, and have long lunches outside of the house.

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Katherine Silk's avatar

This is so interesting.

I agree -- "just working hard" isn't enough.

It's the opposite of what I was taught in school, and took me a while to realize it on my own.

https://trailblazingtwenties.substack.com/p/a-self-help-myth-when-try-harder

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Kax Uson's avatar

it's definitely the opposite of what almost all of us have been taught before. it's great for the employers, not exactly great for the rest of us.

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Claire Alvis's avatar

I love this Kax! It's so true that we often just go through jobs thinking about the linear path in front of us without ever pausing to think if it is actually right for us. I had a very similar situation last year when a start-up I was working for failed, and have been on a journey of self-discovery since which has been both terrifying but also hugely rewarding.

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Kax Uson's avatar

ooh! tell me more! what happened after the startup?

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