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10 reasons to stop rushing to find yourself and build a successful career
In the modern world, speed is considered a virtue. “Faster, higher, stronger” is the motto not only of the Olympic Games, but also of the career race. We are surrounded by stories about prodigies who become millionaires at the age of 20, about people who “found themselves” before graduation. However, the pursuit of rapid achievement and the rush to self-determination often turn into disappointment and burnout. In this article, we look at why slowing down can be the key to a more conscious and successful career in the long run.
According to a Gallup study, about 85% of workers worldwide are not engaged or actively disconnected from their jobs. The main reason is the hasty choice of a career that does not correspond to their true interests and values. Moreover, according to LinkedIn, the modern professional changes careers on average 5-7 times in a lifetime, which indicates that the initial choice is often unsuccessful.
Why you should not rush to find your way
1. Our identity is constantly evolving.
What seems like a vocation at 20 can only cause fatigue at 30. We change under the influence of experiences, meetings and events. The Center for Career Development Research at Stanford University states that the crystallization of career preferences is a lifelong process. By allowing ourselves to change and not being rigidly attached to the path chosen in our youth, we give ourselves the freedom to develop in new directions.
2. The value of diverse experiences
Many successful professionals today have experience in various fields. This interdisciplinary approach not only broadens horizons but also creates a unique combination of skills. According to the concept of “T-shaped specialist”, the most popular people combine deep knowledge in one area (vertical line T) with a broad outlook in related areas (horizontal line).
3. Risk of professional burnout
Rapid movement up the career ladder without conscious choice of direction often leads to emotional exhaustion. Research shows that 76% of professionals experience burnout at least once in their careers, and the main risk factor is a mismatch between personal values and work responsibilities. Time for reflection and conscious choice of direction helps to avoid this discrepancy.
4. Developing emotional intelligence takes time
As life experiences accumulate, so does our emotional intelligence — our ability to understand ourselves and others. Emotional intelligence is a more significant predictor of professional success than IQ. Rushing into career development often leaves no time for developing these essential soft skills.
5. Slow Career Path Creates Sustainability
The concept of “slow food” (similar to “slow living”) suggests a more thoughtful approach to professional development. This strategy allows you to create a more stable career, not subject to short-term trends and market fluctuations. Studies show that people who build a career gradually, more often achieve high positions and less prone to professional crises.
Life is not a race to speed, but a journey to enjoy. Choosing a career is part of that journey, and rushing can rob us of the opportunity to see the most interesting landscapes.
Carl Honore, author of Praise for Slowness
6. The brain needs time to integrate the experience
Neurobiological research suggests that periods of relative rest are required for the brain to form deep understanding and wisdom. The constant pursuit of new achievements makes it impossible to integrate and draw conclusions from the lessons learned. According to the concept of “diffuse mode of thinking”, it is during periods of lack of concentration on a particular task that the brain often finds unexpected solutions and forms new connections between ideas.
7. Fear of Missing Opportunities (FOMO) is a Bad Adviser
Loss of profit syndrome often pushes us to make hasty decisions in our careers. Seeing peer success on social media, we may feel pressured to catch up or overtake them without thinking about whether their path is right for us. Research shows that decisions made under the influence of FOMO are more likely to lead to dissatisfaction with results in the long run.
According to the Federation of Small Businesses, approximately 50% of startups close within the first five years of their existence. One of the main reasons is a hasty entry into the business without sufficient preparation and understanding of their true goals. And a Harvard Business School study shows that the most successful entrepreneurs start their business at an average age of 45, when they have accumulated significant experience.
8. The complexity of the modern world requires adaptability.
In a VUCA world (unstable, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous), rigidly following one career path can prove risky. Flexibility, ability to retrain and willingness to change direction are key advantages. The world of work is changing so fast that specialties that will be in demand in 10 years may not even exist today.
9. Awareness as the basis of satisfaction
Research in positive psychology shows that awareness and the ability to live in the present moment are directly correlated with life satisfaction. Rushing in career development often involves fixing on future achievements at the expense of current experience. A slower and more conscious approach to building a career allows you to enjoy the process, not just the result.
10. Wisdom comes with experience, not speed.
Research in cognitive psychology shows that true expertise in any field requires at least 10,000 hours of practice. Moreover, it is important not only the scope of practice, but also its diversity. The career path, built on a deep understanding of the subject and the accumulation of versatile experience, in the long term is more sustainable and satisfying.
How to stop rushing and start a career
- Practice regular reflection: Take time to analyze your achievements, failures, and changes in values.
- Use mindfulness techniques to reduce anxiety about your career future.
- Find a mentor who will help you look at your path from the outside and adjust the direction if necessary.
- Create a personal competency map and track their development regardless of job movements.
- Practice a “horizontal career” – develop not only up, but also in breadth, mastering related areas.
- Learn to distinguish between healthy ambition and toxic perfectionism.
Building a career is a marathon, not a sprint. In a world obsessed with speed and rapid achievement, opting for conscious and leisurely professional development may seem counterintuitive. However, it is this approach that often leads to more sustained success and deep job satisfaction.
By allowing ourselves time to explore different opportunities, accumulate diverse experiences and regularly reevaluate our goals, we create the foundation for a career that will not only bring material well-being, but also become a source of meaning and self-fulfillment. Ultimately, success is determined not by the speed at which we reach the top, but by how well the top we choose matches our true aspirations.
Glossary of terms
VUCA is an acronym for Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity. The term describes a modern business environment with a high degree of volatility and unpredictability.
A T-shaped specialist is a professional with deep knowledge and skills in one area (the vertical line of the letter “T”) and basic knowledge in related areas (the horizontal line).
Emotional intelligence (EQ) is the ability to recognize one’s own and others’ emotions, distinguish them and use this information to control one’s thinking and behavior.
Occupational burnout is a syndrome of physical and emotional exhaustion, which includes the development of negative self-esteem, a negative attitude towards work and a loss of understanding and empathy towards clients or colleagues.
FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) is a fear of lost profits, a social anxiety characterized by the desire to stay informed of the events or actions of others for fear of missing out on opportunities for communication, new experiences or investments.
Diffuse mode of thinking is a state of the brain in which it is not focused on a specific task, but operates on a “idle course”, allowing new neural connections to form. In this mode, insights and creative decisions often arise.
Slow career is an approach to professional development based on the principles of the slow life movement, which involves a conscious, thoughtful career growth rate with an emphasis on balance, sustainability and compliance with personal values.
Horizontal career development is a career development aimed at expanding competencies and areas of responsibility without formal promotion or hierarchical status.
