Never Thought I'd Make It This Far - Feeling Grateful
Does anyone else feel this way? To be clear I don't have some super elite job in finance. I don't work in PE, or at a HF, or at some ultra elite EB or MBB. In fact, I work for a company most of you have never heard of.
I don't have a fancy title - in fact most people my age that took a similar path are in more senior roles.
I don't make a lot of money relative to the user base on this site, and I would wager there are plenty of users on here making multiples of my annual income.
But growing up, I never would have believed I would have made it into a the role I have now. I work with sharp and kind people, who do come from elite backgrounds. I really enjoy the work I do, and people seem to respect my opinion. I make enough money to live comfortably. I have enough free time to spend time with my family and friends. Every day I feel as though theres barely enough time in the day to get everything done, but I do. No part of my life feels glamorous, but it does feel very fulfilling. And thats enough. Its more than enough.
I spent so much of my 20s struggling, working jobs I couldn't stand, with toxic or abrasive co-workers. In short, I spent my 20s worrying that I didn't take the right path, that I didn't make the right choices, that I wouldn't end up in a role I really enjoyed. It took much longer than I expected, but I did eventually get there.
What is the purpose of this post? It is two-fold:
1. For those of you who ended up somewhere unfathomable to your former self 10 years ago, take a second to appreciate what you have. You undoubtedly worked late nights and burned the candle at both ends for years on end, even if this means grinding through Uni and killing yourself at a brutally challenging job the first few years out of school.
2. For those of you struggling in your early 20s questioning all of your decisions - that's normal, hang in there. Keep trying and working on yourself, your 20s are meant to be hard.
Your post resonates deeply with some of the most helpful insights shared on WSO. Here's what stands out:
Appreciating the Journey: Many users on WSO have reflected on the importance of taking a moment to appreciate how far they've come, even if their path wasn't linear or glamorous. As one user put it, "Your goals will always move up the pendulum. Once you achieve something, your next goal will always be grander... but you will never be happy if you don’t appreciate what you have." Gratitude for the present, even amidst challenges, is a recurring theme.
Struggles in Your 20s Are Normal: It's common to feel lost or question your decisions in your 20s. As highlighted in various threads, this is a time of growth, setbacks, and self-discovery. One user shared, "You get your first taste of career failure or setback, and maybe you’re not used to it... Life gets real once you’re off the defined path." The key is persistence and adaptability.
Fulfillment Over Prestige: Your story echoes sentiments from others who’ve realized that fulfillment doesn’t always come from the most prestigious roles or highest salaries. As one user noted, "What is conventionally accepted as being successful might not be what you want." Finding a role that aligns with your values, offers respect, and provides balance is a significant achievement.
The Long Game: Many WSO contributors emphasize that success is a marathon, not a sprint. One user wisely advised, "Everything you do now should be geared toward the future... Being prepared to capitalize on bigger opportunities is where the real value lies."
Your post is a powerful reminder that success is personal and that fulfillment often comes from the journey, not just the destination. For those in their early 20s, your message is a beacon of hope: keep pushing, stay patient, and trust that the hard work will pay off in time.
Sources: Recruiting successfully does not mean happiness, No bonus/payrise despite good year, Really sad about growing up, For love of the game, Some thoughts about luck in your career
Based
Sit ipsam illo explicabo itaque. Voluptas incidunt adipisci quia ut. Perferendis quae quasi hic quia ea.
Sapiente rem ea dignissimos quo. Provident voluptatem nam et accusantium ipsa sed. Vitae autem incidunt aut facilis autem atque. Voluptas quae illo maiores. Nobis magni fugiat aut ab. Quia soluta quaerat ut dicta sit. Veritatis non excepturi ipsa aut voluptatem.
Labore est voluptas eum perspiciatis perspiciatis voluptatem quis. Unde aut iste provident dolorum laudantium. Maiores totam quaerat sunt molestiae facere voluptatum vel velit. Quos porro qui eum saepe aut voluptatem sed non. Vel nesciunt aut magnam aut et non.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...