Why Settling Is The Worst Career Decision You Can Make
We all have people in our lives who’ve been working towards a specific career choice and upon graduating took a job offer that is a far cry from what they envisioned. Ask that individual how their job is going, you’ll get the same type of answer: “It’s alright”, “It pays the bills”, or “At least I have a job”.
We also have those who have made it a point to go for that dream job, either by starting at the bottom of the ladder or making enough connections to break into the industry. Now ask that person the same question. Obviously, you’ll hear a much different answer than before.
The job market is awful and, with student loans piling up, any paying job offer is going to feel like a breath of fresh air. Depending on your financial situation, you may make a bad decision and take an offer that isn’t in the best interest of finding a possible career with advancement opportunities catered towards the kind of success you've dreamed of.
Don’t mix up “career success” with financial success (although it is a factor), I’m talking about waking up every morning for the rest of your life with a smile on your face knowing that you’ll be doing something you love.
Ask yourself the following questions: (If you answer anything other than YES, keep reading)
- Do I love my job?
- Will this job lead to “career success”?
- Will I be happy down the road if I continue on the same path?
If you answered NO to all three questions...you’ve settled.
Settling puts you in a position where it will only be a matter of time before you start asking yourself “Why did I take this job?” (if you haven't pondered this already, that is). You’re potential will go to waste and your self-confidence will fall drastically.
You’ll regret not chasing that dream job every time you hear about or speak with someone who loves what they’re doing and didn’t settle for a different career. It begins to affect other aspects of your life, especially relationships.
The infamous, overused acronym “YOLO” actually applies to this situation. Everyone knows “you only live once”, but I don’t think people who have settled with their careers understand the implications. One career. One choice. No re-dos. Why would you not do everything in your power to ensure you wake up happy every single day?
The longer you continue with that career, you have less of a chance to make the switch necessary to do what you love. The skills you’ve acquired training for a desired career path with diminish and no employer will hire you over a candidate with a fresh set of those skills.
If you can live with being content with your career, be my guest. But if you want to reach for that dream job, you have to take risks. All great success stories begin with a risk. If you read this and said, “It’s time for a change”, go out and chase your dream job. It’ll be the best decision you’ve ever made.
Alex Najarian | Elite.
@al_naj14
