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.
Today’s three wishes are from an interview I did with a serial entrepreneur and advisor in the digital media space.
1. Keep your eye on the goal. You can’t stay emotionally tied to something that is not working…and there will be a lot of things not working. The greatest challenge in a start-up is staying focused when things aren’t working. You constantly have to step up. You can either cave or make it happen.
2. Massive curiosity and drive. You have to enjoy figuring stuff out and seeing what you are capable of doing. I like to push myself. I often say, “It chose me, I didn’t choose it [on startups].
3. I am a believer in the idea that you can have it all but not all at once. I don’t know if you can have the top job and have balance. I’m 38 and I don’t have children. I try to get some balance but I rarely take vacation and I get no sleep. The responsibility rests on my shoulders. The failure rate is so high that it has to come with a commitment. I think it’s helpful to think of it in terms of sports analogies. You can’t expect to be on an Olympic team and take time off. It’s tough, but that’s what it takes. I do think it is harder for women than men. There are more expectations placed upon us and that pressure can lead to poor decisions. But there isn’t as much of a time limit on things as you think. Stay true to yourself and you will make it happen.