One of my lovely Instagram followers sent me this question, and I knew it was something that I wanted to touch on. She said: Looking back, what is one thing you would have worried less about and paid more attention to? What makes it all worth it? I am still recovering from my day filled with speaking to students at UWSP! It was so surreal, crazy, exhausting, and exciting! I prayed that my story would touch even one student and that my perspective on work and life would be refreshing to scholars who are taught to look for certain things in their next job and forget to chase their dreams. Looking back, there are just a few things I would have done differently… oh, to be 20 again. When I was in college, I made sure I applied myself well. I was a member of the swimming and diving team, active in the Public Relations group, an honors intern student, and I decided to double major in communication and business administration with a minor in economics. Needless to say, I was busy. (Noticing a trend in my life, anyone?) I was so concerned with how my resume would look that I never really thought about the possibility of my “dream job” turning into more of a nightmare.
First and foremost, I have never, ever been a quitter. Every job I ever had, I left be default (either the business closed, I moved cities, or I left for college.) I sucked at quitting, even if things weren’t the right fit because I was so worried about letting other people down. Worry – you know, that thing that keeps you busy but gets you absolutely no where. I kept applying myself and filling my schedule with the things that would make my resume look great upon graduation and I never stopped to think about what I was passionate about or what would make me happy. I thought that a salary and benefits package would make me happy, so when I was offered a full time position as an executive after my internship, I snatched it up and said a resounding “YES!” I never even used that padded resume to try for a different job, to dream of other options, or to lead me in the direction of my dreams. To be honest, at 22 I think my dreams were more along the lines of getting married and making money and both of those things were in my future.
Looking back, here is what I would have done differently: I wouldn’t have been so one tracked mind, I wouldn’t have focused so much on the security of a salary, I would have tried different classes that struck my interest, and I would have had a little more fun. Sure, my resume is padded to perfection but since I left my corporate job three years ago, I haven’t needed it. I wish I would have looked outside of the box a little more and worried less about finances. Yes, money is important but focusing on that will never make you happy… I am so thankful for all that I studied and all that I learned. I wish I would have worried less about pleasing everyone and for once, I wish I would have been a little selfish about what would make me happy because when I finally took that leap of faith to start this journey, I didn’t look back, I didn’t apologize and in that I pray that I have brought countless others a little slice of my happiness pie!
Thank you for posting this! I am a recent college graduate (also living in Wisconsin, woohoo!) and I can relate to all of the feelings of worry and anxiety about what I am going to do next. I’m trying my best to be selective in my journey through life and not settle for something I don’t really love and this post inspires me to keep that going!