Let's face it: Establishing a career in your 20s is tumultuous. You're still figuring where you are, where you want to be, and how you're going to get there. And on top of it all, you're working yourself to the bone through your lunch hour, cutting into your dwindling social life, all the while fighting to keep your personal time alive. I get it, navigating it all is not an easy task.
Sometimes, you may wonder: When is it ever going to pay off? Is all this overtime worth it? Or, when am I going to have a full-night's rest ever again?
Since turning 30, I've realized that if you practice a few key habits consistently and stick to your personal boundaries, everything will fall into place and (most of) the stress will melt away. Don't wait to hit 30 to figure things out. Here are some cornerstone tips for building a strong foundation for your 30's and beyond!
1. Recognize that your time and energy are finite resources.
In general, we don't have productivity issues, we have over-commitment issues. There's so much pressure to out-do, out-compete, or be the best at everything these days. But to what end and how much is enough? Is it worth losing sleep over? And how is it affecting your current or prospective relationships? Well, you are important, no matter what you achieve. And while it's important to do our best in all areas in life, it's just as important to make choices on how to spend our time and energy based on this simple question: Does this energize me or drain me? That's it. We only have so much time and energy available to us, so spend it wisely.
2. Having meaning in your career is more important than ever.
It's more important than ever to find something that you feel good working toward and let that core value dictate your career trajectory. There's a reason that the quarter-life crisis exists: People choose a path that's not aligned with what they want to stand for or how they want to feel while they do the work. Sure, every profession has its tediums and no job is perfect. But at the end of the day, do you feel that your work is accomplishing something for the greater good? We spend much of our lives on our jobs, so ensuring that they align with our skills, strengths, and talents-along with our our core values-is more important than making a living without feeling connected to our work. Don't let that quarter-life crisis fester into a full-blown mid-life crisis. Find that core value and let it give your work the fulfillment you deserve.
3. Know that you don't have to please everyone.
It's OK to negotiate project timelines. It's OK to to refuse requests from the boss to stay later, and it's OK to ask to be paid more-I've done all of the above and so can you. Back in the day when I was a people-pleasing twenty-something, I found that when I fulfilled a request that overstepped into my personal life, I became resentful. But once I spoke up for what I wanted, I felt more in control and more confident in myself and my own needs. Practice politely saying and explaining your "No" because if you don't, you'll find yourself stretched thin and wondering why everyone else is having a good time. What's the worst that can happen? I've worked with enough clients to know that living for yourself and exercising the freedom to make (or turn down) requests on your time and energy is incredibly liberating.
When you practice the key habits of respecting your limits, working for values you believe in, and staying unapologetically true to your own desires without regard to what others think, you will be mentally, physically, and emotionally ready for a whole new decade with less stress and way more confidence. Here's to being 30, flirty, and thriving-to your success!
This article was originally published on www.levo.com
Catherine Chen, Ph.D., Health Coach is passionate about supporting high-achievers to find time and energy to focus on their personal lives while rocking out in their careers. Prior to working at In Your Corner, Catherine graduated from Yale University with a degree in Pharmacology and has worked in the management consulting, biotechnology, and wellness industries in New York City and San Francisco. She is also passionate about French culture. And wontons. Seriously, they're delicious! If you're overwhelmed and stressed about work or relationships, sign up for weekly tips at www.achievewitheasenow.com (it's free!) or get in touch with Catherine here.