I just moved to a different state for the first time.
It’s both scary and exciting because I haven't lived outside of California my whole life. One thing is certain though: remote work has been a stress-saver.
My job is the same no matter where I am. My roommates, however, had to start from scratch and find new jobs.
There’s a common debate between me and my roommates: are you looking for a job or a career?
A career is tough to find, but a job is always available for quick cash. No matter where you work or what you do, this is what my friends and I have come to realize about the value we put on our jobs.
Be helpful even when it hurts
While shopping for a backpacking trip, I noticed a lady reaching for a box of low-sodium crackers on a top shelf, and I offered my very average height to grab the box for her.
She didn’t ask for help or even look at me. I just went up and assisted her. I’m not telling you this to sound like a hero. I think anyone who notices someone in need has the capacity to take a moment out of their day to help them.
Actions, big or small, make the world a better place.
“Your parents raised you right,” she said. Whether she’s right or wrong, I don’t think it matters if your upbringing plays a role in the attitude you project into the world.
I also tutored K-12 students for three years. Although the job was incredibly frustrating, tedious, and often made me go internally insane when students were disrespectful, it’s by far the most rewarding job I’ve ever had.
When I look back, the job was all about helping others. I related to my students. I've been in their shoes. It felt good to be a helpful hand and see the smile on their face when the lightbulb turned on.
Some students were only there because their parents made them go. Some would tell me about their struggles at home and the weight of their parent's expectations. When I heard that, I too related, becoming a familiar figure rather than a know-it-all tutor.
The point is what you learn on the job sinks its way into your life. The attitude you bring into the office is the same one you take home with you.
Being helpful rules. It’s a superpower that can get you far in life. You can make a whole business around being as helpful as possible. You won’t have to sell a thing when you do that because people will simply ask you for things to buy from you.
Recognize that your job isn’t always the dream
I don’t believe in having one dream.
Everyone wants something out of different aspects of their lives. Having just one goal isn’t realistic. Anyone with goals won’t settle for just one because it’s short-sighted. It’s also extremely limiting.
I love the work I do during the day. I worked hard to be in a position to do the type of editing I’ve always wanted to do. I stood around for 16-hour days as a production assistant to get the experience I have now.
But that’s not all I want out of life. Sure, I’ll progress in my professional career as much as possible, but I have dreams separate from career one. You’re reading the product of that other dream (uh oh, the fourth wall shattered!).
I write because I love doing it for my small audience that comes back repeatedly to read my content.
The bottom line: you think you want a dream job, but a job is just a vessel that can take you to the place you want to be.
Be it financial security or an award; your position is the vehicle that can take you there. The first step is to get it, and that takes years of effort to craft yourself into an employer who is fit to work.
It takes time and a hell of a lot of effort. The thing is, the high of your job isn’t usually worth the comedown unless you look at your work differently than most who run the rat race.
The top of the corporate ladder is lonely anyway.
Realize someone else’s job doesn't define you
I was sitting in on a conversation with my WeWork roommates.
We all work different jobs in our cozy apartment. While the natural light of the morning set in, my roommate explained the placement process at his job. It reminded me exactly how painful the job hunt is.
If you don’t have a strong network of people who can find work for you, you’re at the mercy of good timing, a ton of applications, and even more patience.
Applying to jobs on the internet is excruciating. Before you know it, you’ve sent 50 applications into the metaverse, and only a few get back to you telling you that you’re not the best fit for the job.
After weeks, even months of searching, something usually works out for you, but not the way you expected. The thing that prevents you from sleeping at night is that someone got the job you wanted, and you didn’t.
What makes them a better candidate?
Unfortunately, not even the hiring manager of the cushy office job you wanted can tell you until they’ve spent a few months with their new hire.
Here’s what you need to realize: the hiring process for a competitive position is about as efficient as closing your eyes and pulling a straw from a plastic cup.
Comparing yourself to others is a waste of time. You’re only given so much energy during the day.
Instead, use your energy toward something that will benefit you. I’ve spent plenty of empty days filling my time with side hustles. Those days have been some of the most significant in recent memory.
Days that felt like failed, and wasted time turned into some of my most productive ones.
I made my free blogging guide when I was feeling down on myself.
I switched my email list to Substack like I had been meaning to when I didn’t have any freelance gigs for a few days.
An empty calendar day gave me a chance to research new recipes to try.
Rejection is all a part of the process. Living through a process is fluid. You can adapt to any situation because you’re ready for anything and have tasks to add to your schedule in your back pocket.
You can go a day without making money, I promise.
Get this: you can invest in your off days. Compound interest works wonders even on your time and how you spend it.
The work you do doesn't have to be a job. Read that as many times as you need to.
I’m just as proud of the days I write an article that has a mystery dollar value as I am when I log 10 hours of my freelance rate in one day.
There’s no set routine in my life because a pattern is as good as glass. It shatters when the pressure is on. With the way the world is spinning, 9–5 office jobs could become an s thing of the past.
Your dream to work for Google with some fancy title could disappear before you know it. I’m not saying it will, but you never know.
Creating a portfolio of dreams is the best defense against giving up on your goals.
My Online Writing course should be ready in July :)