Your Career's Not Everything... Or is it?

It’s so easy to tie your entire self-worth and identity to one thing - maybe that university acceptance letter, that dream job, or even a relationship.

We've all been there: you pour every ounce of your energy, time, and focus into one single thing. It feels right, it feels productive. It feels like this is the one thing that will define you and make you a success.

But what happens when that one thing doesn’t go your way? What happens if that single basket you've put all your chips into gets dropped?

It’s a recipe for disaster 😬 Suddenly, it feels like your whole world is crumbling, because your brain is screaming, “I’m going to die soon!”

Because your brain can’t tell the difference between “I didn’t get that job” and “I’m starving and I’m being chased by a tiger.” That’s how primal it is. So if you only have one basket - one thing that defines you - you’re putting yourself through unnecessary emotional torment.

Let's talk about why diversifying your life - just like a good investor diversifies their portfolio - is a key to long-term resilience and well-being.

Suddenly, their whole sense of self is gone. This can lead to a recipe for depression, especially if you've been doing it for 10, 15, or even 20 years.

Your identity isn't a single point; it should be a well-rounded constellation of different things.

Friends, a social life, family, hobbies - these are not distractions. They are essential elements of a fulfilling life that provide a critical emotional safety net when one part of your world falls apart.

But if and when it all comes crashing down, you don't have anything else to fall back onto. Having those other support elements helps you keep your sanity, keep your life working, and figure out how to fix things.

My own career is a testament to the power of a different path... I dropped out of uni, did an apprenticeship, worked my way up into senior management, and eventually started my own companies. That wasn't what I had planned at all. But because I had diverse experiences and wasn't tied to any one thing, I've had opportunities to go here and go there.

And along the way, some of those detours came with unexpected benefits, like having most of my university paid for by companies. Your educational path is rarely a single, linear journey. It's a series of springboards that propel you into new opportunities.

Employers, friends, and life don’t want a perfect resume or flawless record. They want someone who can handle setbacks, keep trying, and show what they can actually do.

And that’s why it’s okay to try different things, change your mind, and even fail sometimes. You might do 12 months of a course and realise it isn't right for you. Or you might love it and see how it fits into your bigger dreams. Either way, it’s all part of the journey.

If you're reading this, I know you're a driven person and that's what counts! You want to do good things, and you put in the effort and the work. That's going to drive you to wherever you want to be in the long run anyway.

A single missed opportunity or setback won't dent or dampen your resolve to get what you want. It might do it for a little bit - like a week you're like, "This week sucks. Everything's crap. I don't want to do this anymore."

But once you get past that little dip, you'll be back in problem-solving mode: "Okay, so what am I going to do? How am I going to do it? What's my path from here?" Your drive is your superpower; you just need to channel it into multiple areas of your life to stay balanced and resilient.

When one area faces a setback, the others can provide a critical emotional safety net.

For example, you might not get into your dream university this year, but you still have your friends who get you, hobbies that light you up, and family who love you no matter what. That’s a buffer against the stress and fight-or-flight brain reactions that kick in when you hit a bump in the road.

If one of them "turns to crap," you've still got the other two. Having those other two things helps you deal with it, helps you process and manage your emotions and those feelings of dread or worthlessness that can come up. It helps you manage them because you have something else that you still care about and are still pursuing.

Start by investing in areas outside your “main thing.” Spend time with friends who make you laugh, try new hobbies just for fun, or reconnect with family. Read, explore, travel if you can.

When you’re busy building a life that’s rich and varied, a rejection or failure stops feeling like the end of the world. It’s just one chapter - and you’ve got plenty more stories to write.

If you’re feeling like your whole life hinged on one rejection or setback, take a deep breath. Start building your life portfolio today.

What’s one thing outside of school or work that makes you happy? What friend can you call? What new hobby can you try?

And hey, if you want to chat or just share your story, drop me a message - I’m here to listen and help you find your balance.