Managing Your Career in Your 30s and 40s

Joan Didion, the author, says that we tell ourselvesoutside of your given profession.
stories in order to live. I believe that we live our life5. Be respectful of everyone because you never
through stories and in chapters.know what will happen. A wise man, Mark Yusko,
Chapter one is your childhood.President of Morgan Creek Capital said "I believe in
Chapter two is creating yourself. Whatever yourthe power of karma."
passion in life is, whether it be college, a trade, a6. In your 30s see yourself as CEO of you, Inc. In
craft, whatever your chosen profession this is thethat role, you need a GPS system, or goals, plan and
chapter you should look to develop yourself, workstructure or a business plan. Write it out. What are
your way up the ladder, fall flat on your face a fewthe goals, the plan and put the structure into place to
times (or lots like I did!) get banged on the head, andachieve it. You do those six things and you will fly
generally work your petunia off.first class into your 40s.
Chapter three is invest in your assets. Refine yourChapter four is leveraging your assets and that takes
expertise, whatever that may be. If it's acting,you into your forties. If you've done a great job in
plumbing, or investment banking, you need to refineyour thirties, then you'll go first class into your 40s.
your expertise.So what do you do in your forties? Leverage up and
1. Seek out mentors and develop relationships withtrust yourself.
the right people because look at who you spend theIn leveraging up, ask for feedback, study the people
most with,,that is who you will become. Thoseyou aspire to be, take your experience and leverage
influences in your life have a dramatic influence onit up to the next opportunity. Maximize your
who you turn out to be. So your mentors need toresources.
have a high bar and need to be able to tell you theTrust yourself. George Soros doesn't have a CFA
truth and have a vested interest in your success.designation and says he would probably fail the exam.
2. Join toastmasters. Toastmasters teachesThe CFA is similar to the CPA but harder, and is
everyone how to communicate and it will help you inspecific for a financial analyst. What does George
whatever your chosen profession is.Soros trust? His gut, his intuitive knowledge of the
3. Invest in yourself. Never stop learning in your 30s.markets. So if you did a great job laying the
You have the energy and Einstein said we only usegroundwork, foundation in chapter three of your life,
3% of our brain capacity. Read biographies andthen you should be able to fly into the next chapter.
history.If you didn't, you may have a layover.
4. Join professional organizations and then go toEvery chapter of our lives prepares us for the next.
those meetings. You need to meet people inside andGo forth and prosper!