Most everyone, when they’re young and entering the career workforce for essentially the first time, is looking to climb the proverbial ladder to success. Their vision is bright and, in that vision, no obstacles or challenges exist to alter it. Reality, however, tends to be quite different. There are roadblocks, construction and potholes along the way to slow you down, speed you up and sometimes send you on detours (otherwise known as alternate paths) along your journey to your destination.
Life’s not a yellow brick road to Oz.
When unfortunate things happen, it’s important to understand that this happens to everyone. No one goes before you – parent, family, friends or otherwise – and paves out the absolute, smoothest path for you to take. Believe me, as a parent, I know we try to do this, but we learn as you will that you don’t control life. The best you can do is live it to the best of your ability. This doesn’t mean they don’t affect your path, but their effect is merely influence. It’s you who will ultimately control and determine what your life ends up being.
“Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.” ~ Soren Kierkegaard
Know that your supporters care about you. However, they only write a page or perhaps even a chapter in your life book; they don’t provide an entire prewritten script.
This is neither good nor bad, it’s just how it is. I’ve often found that when I anticipate, prepare for or in some way realize the inevitable bumps in the road, it allows me to reduce the level of adverse situations and increase the occurrences of positive ones in their place. Be conscious that things are not always as they appear on the surface. For example, losing one job feels bad but not if it opens the door to another opportunity that makes your life even better. And that is not an unusual story, most people have their version of such an experience in their history.
“Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.” ~ Marilyn Monroe
“On average, a person will change jobs 12 times during their lifetime…workers aged 25 to 34 have an average of 4.5 jobs during that period, while those aged 55 to 64 have an average tenure of 9.9 years with their employers.” (zippia.com) So, be prepared in the best way you can for those vagaries to occur.
“Plans are nothing; planning is everything.” ~ Dwight D. Eisenhower
A plan for your future is smart. It gives you direction and purpose. My suggestion, though, is to write it in pencil instead of ink. Be willing and able to erase and replace, strikethrough and/or add as the situation requires. Without a roadmap, you can get totally lost. And time moves quickly. Yet, relying solely on the map can potentially be a disadvantage, or at the very least, prevent you from capturing all of life’s nuggets of opportunity that come along periodically that we can’t foresee. This dry erase board method fosters self-guidance while making it simpler and more appealing to adjust and improve.
Realize that not every noise in the dark woods is a threat.
As you each venture forward on your chosen paths, prepare for unknowns. If you don’t have a plan, make one now – it’s never too late to do the right thing. Make your plan flexible, though. Utilize your human resources, yet, don’t expect everything to come from them. Be on the lookout for those special opportunities and open doors that intermittently occur in life, and try to take advantage of them the first time.
“Opportunity does not waste time with those who are unprepared.” ~ Idowu Koyenikan
Finally, understand that each person has their definition of success, happiness and general satisfaction with life. Don’t judge others’ paths, just as you wouldn’t want them to judge yours. Enjoy the journey of discovery that slowly unveils the point where your true happiness and contentment intersect, no matter which rung on the ladder it happens to be. That’s where you’ll find your real success story. Keep your eyes focused and your mind free to what is offered, and you’ll do well.
“It’s the end of an era, so put your fist in the air, and let the credits roll! This ain’t a coming of age anymore.” ~ mxmtoon
Congratulations graduates of the Class of 2025, and may your glass always be half full.
And a very special congratulations to our family’s favorite 2025 graduate, Destiny. You’ve climbed mountains, overcome valleys, persevered, grown, matured, achieved and finally, become the most incredible young lady in everything you do. Your future is rich with opportunity, excitement and wonder. I can’t wait to see how your life flourishes and reaches its fullest potential. One last piece of sage advice I love for forging your path ahead comes from the world famous management consultant, Peter Drucker, who sums it up nicely, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
Musical selection: Coming of Age by mxmtoon
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