Am I an early career professional?

I’ve been grappling with this question for a while now: "Am I an early career professional?"

It’s a tricky one because, honestly, I feel like it’s much more about how you see yourself than how many years you’ve been in the game.

After all, you're only as young as you feel, right? 😉

In this blog post, we'll dive deep into what truly matters when it comes to building a fulfilling career. We'll explore why your mindset matters more than your years of experience, how to overcome those pesky insecurities and embrace your potential, the essential skills and qualities that can catapult your career regardless of your age, and why your individual strengths and talents are your biggest assets.

Ready to open to your full potential, no matter where you are in your career journey? Let's get started!

Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number (At Least to Me!)

Personally, I don’t feel like a typical 40-year-old. When I picture someone who’s 40, I think of someone who seems a bit disconnected from what’s going on in the world today.

But that’s not me at all. In my head, a 40-year-old should be totally different from who I am.

It’s wild, isn’t it? How we build these ideas of age and what it’s supposed to mean. So, if we’re going by how I feel rather than what my birth certificate says, I might as well still be 25!

And that brings me to this concept of being a young professional.

How do you feel about your level of experience?

How do you feel about where you’re at in your career?

I think these questions are key, especially if you’re early in your career. Because if you label yourself as “only a junior” or “just entry-level,” you’re boxing yourself in. You’re feeding into this idea that you can’t do certain things because you haven’t hit some magical milestone yet.

And sure, I’m not saying you should be delusional. If you’ve only been in your field for a few years, you’re probably not going to be CEO next year - but why should age or experience define you?

Experience vs Ambition: The Real Deal

I genuinely believe experience is the best teacher. If you’ve been doing something for 10 years, of course, you’re going to be better at it than someone who’s only been doing it for three.

Yet - some people with 10 years of experience who have not been that deeply involved may not be great at what they do.

Meanwhile, someone with three years under their belt who’s super ambitious, smart, and willing to go above and beyond might totally crush it.

So, why let something like a label or a few years of experience hold you back? If you let those limitations rule your thinking, then yeah, you’ll stay exactly where you are.

Time will pass regardless - you’ll get to that five, 10, 20 years of experience eventually.

But why wait to start pushing for what you want?

This is the same mindset I see in people who are job hunting and hesitate to apply for roles because they think, "Oh, I don’t have the right qualifications or enough experience."

By not applying, you’re making the decision for the hiring manager that you’re not good enough. But it's not up to you to decide that.

Who Should Decide If You’re Ready? Not You!

One thing I say to a lot of people is: "Why are you the one deciding whether or not you’re a good fit for the role?"

That’s the hiring manager’s job! Let them decide if your skills and experience fit the bill. You can’t know what they’re thinking, and you certainly can’t predict it.

By putting yourself out there, you’re giving them the chance to say, “Hey, let’s talk to this person, they seem interesting.”

If you let the whole “I’m still young in my career” idea limit what you do, it’s a problem. You’ve got to break out of that mindset. We’re all still learning - every single one of us, regardless of age or experience.

My dad, who’s retired now after being a doctor for 50 years, still learns new things.

So why should you stop yourself just because you think you’re too “young” or too “inexperienced”?

Rejection? Pfft, So What?

Here’s another fun thing: fear of rejection. I used to be terrified of it myself. For the longest time, I got every single job I applied for. From my first job all the way through to age 27 or 28, I was always offered the job. So, when I finally got my first rejection, it hit hard: "Wait, what do you mean I'm not good for this" 😅

But you know what? It was one of the best lessons I’ve learned. Getting rejected isn’t the end of the world. In fact, it’s rarely even about you personally. Most of the time, it’s just about the business needing something different than what you offer.

That doesn’t mean you’re not valuable; it just means that particular role wasn’t the right fit.

Embrace Your Power – Yes, You!

Now, here’s something really deep that I think resonates with a lot of people: sometimes, it’s not our fear of failure that holds us back - it’s our fear of success.

There’s a quote that sums it up perfectly...:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?" (Marianne Williamson).

Think about that for a second. How often do we stop ourselves from aiming higher because we’re unconsciously scared of what might happen if we actually succeed?

If we reach our full potential, we might have to live up to a standard that feels daunting. We might have to embrace the fact that, yes, we hold awesome qualities and gifts, and that comes with responsibility.

But that’s no reason to hide.

Don’t Waste Your Gift

At the end of the day, we all have something to offer.

Whether you believe in destiny, God, or the universe, the fact is if you have a gift or a talent, it’s almost your duty to make the most of it.

Wasting your potential doesn’t just do you a disservice - it’s a loss for everyone else too.

So why not step up, embrace your ambition, and go for what you really want?

And when it comes to rejection? Brush it off. The more opportunities you chase, the more doors will eventually open. Rejection is just part of the process, but it doesn’t define your worth.

So, whether you’re a young career professional, an “old” career professional, or somewhere in between, don’t let labels hold you back. You are capable of so much more than you think.

Your thoughts

Have you ever felt limited by the "early career" label? How did you overcome it? Share your stories and advice below! I'd really love to hear :)