This isn't a real post (but read it anyway).
When my birthday rolls around each year, I like to think about what I was like 10 years earlier. Who was I then? How did I approach the world?
This year was interesting because I turned 33, and it was the very first time I was able to examine this in a purely professional context. Here are three observations about my professional life at 23 that made me laugh.
My work cubicle was covered in inappropriate quotes that I printed off and tacked to the walls. I didn't start bringing in personal effects to the office until sometime in my late twenties, so that was the extent of my personality. In hindsight, it's probably a good thing people didn't often stop to read them.
I listened to a lot of Panic! at the Disco and Fallout Boy. If it had a thumping beat and angst-filled lyrics, I was blasting it through my headphones loud enough to annoy my (very patient) officemates. It's a wonder I can still hear anything.
I was very excited about free office coffee. It was just there all day long! Anyone could have some! And did I mention it was free? (Side note: It took me about six months to admit the free office coffee in question also tasted really bad.)
I don't miss being that young, but man did 23-year-old me think she had it all figured out.
What were you like 10 years ago?
Isn't it fascinating to reflect? Reflection offers great perspective. Instead of 10 years ago, I'll equate to your reflection milestone.
ReplyDeleteMy 23-year old self wore ripped jeans to work (just because you had a flexible dress code doesn't mean there are ZERO boundaries. sheesh!), I sat wherever there was space (that included having a table (not a desk) in a corner behind other cubes because there was no space), I learned right away (thanks to an awesome boss) how to make one drink last all night at work events. (Peers weren't taught that same lesson at the same time).
My 33-year old self was in my second managerial role, and I was NOT good at it. I learned a lot in that experience (happy to share sometime) and it made me a better leader for it. Thanks past-past me for making mistakes. Thanks past me for learning from them.
My 43-year old self was in a new career path and much more confident in her own shoes. The 30s were an amazing decade, and the 40s even better. Happy where I am in life.
Trevor Noah had a quote I heard recently: (summarized): only regret the things you DON'T do, not the things you DO do. Many let fear of failure or rejection keep them from making a choice or taking action. Failure and rejection are answers. Regret / a nothing action is an unanswered question. Only fear regret. Not failure.
The changes that have happen in the last 10 years are staggering, but I also wonder about what everything will be like 10 years from now. Maybe flying cars will be a thing by then?
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