While all of us would like to believe we are unique, the fact is most of us follow a very similar path. For instance, when I was researching my book, WorkSmarts, I found that a majority of college grads follow the same earnings path-that is, their peak income years are in their 40s and after that, the money either levels off or slowly declines into retirement.
I’m not trying to depress you. I’m just simply saying that there’s comfort in knowing that in almost every instance, you are not alone. You’re not going to be the first to start a company nor are you going to be the first to be fired. Many of us have been there. And knowing that you’re in good company is especially important when you face one of life’s inevitable challenges.
Below are some of the disasters, big and small, waiting to happen:
1. You will inevitably be late to at least one very important, your-life-depended-on-it business meeting.
2. You will have a baby, move house, get a promotion all at the same time.
3. You will get demoted or sidelined…eventually. It’s up to you to fight back.
4. Someone close to you will betray you.
5. Someone trusted will disappoint you.
6. Coffee will spill on your white shirt just before a presentation.
7. You will be yelled at by a boss at some point.
8. You will arrive at your destination with everything packed except the one thing you needed to pack.
9. You will lose a chunk of money in some half thought-out investment.
10. You will get drunk and do something stupid in front of your colleagues. (No, they don’t forget.)
11. You will have one health scare.
12. You will have one life-changing moment that will make you question your life’s expectations.
Can you identify with any of the above?
Talking about life’s challenges is something we’re doing on my new podcast, Radiate, which debuted this week. Every Tuesday, we’re going to sit down and talk with one very successful CEO, entrepreneur, thought leader about his or her own life’s path, no holds barred. Please listen, subscribe and review on iTunes and SoundCloud! I would love to hear from you.
