Have you heard of a “quarter-life crisis”? Is it the new mid-life crisis? Maybe it is just another life crisis? I’m not quite sure, but I have definitely experienced it. In Adam “Smiley” Poswolsky’s Ted Talk, “Refusing to settle: The Quarter Life Crisis” he discusses strategies of how you can avoid a career crisis, or at least how to move out of it. Working through my own struggle I have learned these strategies on my own, but it would have been really helpful had I seen this video some time ago.
My favorite strategy of Smiley’s is to find “believers”. These are people who have dreams they believe in, dreams they are trying to live. These are the folks that ask “why not”? They not only follow their personal dreams, but they encourage and hold others accountable for following their own as well. Believers can be hard to find when70% of people are disengaged in their jobs, and the majority believe everyone is in an unfulfilling job they just have to deal with. Listen closely, seek them out, they exist, and surround yourself with believers.
Another Smiley tip is, you should pursue what is meaningful to you, and stop comparing yourself to others. Sure, it may appear friends or strangers have things figured out, and perhaps you are afraid of what they may think of you. The truth is, no one knows what they are doing, they are all figuring things out as they go. Most people think the grass is greener on the other side, but then do not follow their dreams because they are afraid of others opinion. So find what is meaningful to you, follow that feeling, achieve those goals and begin a life with purpose. As you continue to water and engage in your pursuit, your grass will be greener too.
This Ted Talk may seem as though it is only for millennials, but do not fool yourself, there are adults of all ages who would benefit from this little pep talk from Smiley. Take a look and enjoy.
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