Herewith, three “gifts” one 40-something would give a 20-something as their “Forty-Godmother”. What are yours?
1.
Make yourself a priority. You can spend so much time doing good job and being liked by your bosses that you don’t make your self a priority. Investing in yourself through networking, developing presence, managing up is as important as a deadline or checking emails. Your career is yours to manage. It’s not a non-profit. If there is something in your career you are not happy about you are the only one who can change that.
2.
Always be looking for your next job. Keep a dialogue going with headhunters and friends to keep abreast of what is going on in the marketplace. Do this on an on-going basis …not just when you are unhappy. Take 30 minutes a day or two hours a week out from emailing and go have coffee with someone internally or externally to talk about what is next.
3.
There is nothing holding you back…travel, move, try new things. Nothing is really holding you back but you. You can sublet an apartment, stay in touch with friends and family, maintain relationships, decide you don’t like it…whatever it is.