What three “gifts” would you give a 20-something if you were a “Forty-Godmother”? Here 40-somethings share three wishes to help a 20-something get a head start on the confidence to make decisions that are right for themselves. No more woulda, coulda, shoulda.
1. Put yourself on your to do list. When you fill your life with accumulating things, and going to every event and checking things off your list…the one person who gets hurt in the end is you. you may end up somewhere you aren’t even sure you like because you just do the next thing. The time to tune into your values is now. Let that help drive your decisions. Make your own personal value list and bring it to life!
2. Support other women you work with. Talk up each other and reinforce each other in meetings. In the end we all win. When I was young I was just so worried about being at the table and how to get my word in edgewise. I read more now about women shining the light on each other to make women’s voices more the norm. I wish we had that mentality when I was younger.
3. I’m sure everyone says it but learn to save. It’s scary when you hit your 40s and look ahead and realize you con’t have the savings that you should. Kudos to my smart friends that do. You don’t what to play catch up when you have so much more financial responsibility. Start when it’s just you and the stakes are lower. You can stay home a few nights — and spend the time investing in you.
-40-something, music exec and photographer, CA