“I’m around thirty years old, make $250k a year, feel totally stuck, and am not sure what to do next.”
I hear a variation of this several times a month. I usually answer in a few different ways.
I hear a variation of this several times a month. I usually answer in a few different ways.
First, I remind them they’re in a great spot many seek to reach and that it doesn’t make sense for them to be down on themselves -- so, chill for a minute.
If they want to start their own business, I remind them life will make it much harder to do at 35 or 40.
If they want to start their own business, I remind them life will make it much harder to do at 35 or 40.
I also tell them (as politely as possible) that they should be honest with themselves about whether or not they’re built to start a company.
Truth is the vast majority of folks would be wise not to take the leap, and if you haven’t done so by 30, you need to understand why.
Truth is the vast majority of folks would be wise not to take the leap, and if you haven’t done so by 30, you need to understand why.
I also dig in to see why they don’t want to continue at their current job.
Perhaps they’re a couple of years away from that huge promotion, or their company is growing rapidly and the value of their equity is going up as well -- and it makes sense to keep pushing forward.
Perhaps they’re a couple of years away from that huge promotion, or their company is growing rapidly and the value of their equity is going up as well -- and it makes sense to keep pushing forward.
I also like to remind them that our knowledge and experience compound just like capital does and ask them what knowledge they’ve gained that gives them an edge.
Changing industries or even positions disrupts all that compounding and can set you back years.
Changing industries or even positions disrupts all that compounding and can set you back years.
I get asked why I don’t switch to large power centers or grocery-anchored centers.
It’s because the longer I focus on strip malls, the better I’m going to be at it -- and that knowledge has been compounding annually since 2002.
Disrupting it is very expensive.
It’s because the longer I focus on strip malls, the better I’m going to be at it -- and that knowledge has been compounding annually since 2002.
Disrupting it is very expensive.
I think that if you’re not an entrepreneur (and the harsh reality is that the vast majority just aren’t) and you don’t have a compelling reason to leave, you should double down.
Find a way to reenergize in your current role.
Put your head down and get laser-focused on what you’re doing right now.
Find ways to get better faster. Speak up more at meetings. Make an effort to create better & more meaningful connections at the company and with customers.
Put your head down and get laser-focused on what you’re doing right now.
Find ways to get better faster. Speak up more at meetings. Make an effort to create better & more meaningful connections at the company and with customers.
It’s a marathon, and you’ve been running for a while.
Many of your colleagues feel the same way you do, and they’ll jump off -- and they will be set way back.
So the answer, in the vast majority of cases:
You’re doing great. You’re on your way. Keep going!
Many of your colleagues feel the same way you do, and they’ll jump off -- and they will be set way back.
So the answer, in the vast majority of cases:
You’re doing great. You’re on your way. Keep going!
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