The Power to Reinvent Yourself

Dear students, graduates and everyone in between,

As I increasingly spend more time with you, I realise that those fears you all have, I once had them too and so did millions of other adults. That pressure to get the first job right is unwavering, I’ve lived it. The anxiety of getting it all wrong, having to restart, not knowing what to do next or which direction to take, we’ve all been there at some point or another in our lives. Firstly when we graduate and enter the world of adulthood but then it doesn’t quite leave us there. It comes in unexpected waves, sometimes waves that you can ride and other times waves that envelop you, spin you around and spit you back out bruised, bloodied and battered. But it’s in finding the courage to get back up, figure out what went wrong and begin again, this time more aware, more conscious and more astute to the details of every movement. 

But first let me bring you back to the word restart, which I mentioned ever so briefly.  If there is something you’re going to do throughout your entire life and career it’s to begin again, not just professionally but also personally. The worries of trying to find out where you belong, where your tribe is, which place feels right, there is no need to fret. Why, because throughout your life you will move, change, turn things around, move again and things will most likely never be how you planned them out to be. Throughout your career you will shed many skins, fill many shoes and try numerous things. You will reinvent yourself numerous times and end up in a place you never even dreamed of. That first job you’ll have, it won’t be your last. 

Want proof? Ask any adult if they are where they expected to be in their current job/career

But please, don’t make the mistake that most people do and wait for milestones such as starting university, finishing university, getting your first job, getting laid off, retiring, having kids to name a few. Don’t wait for adversity to knock at your door for you to re-evaluate, reinvent and change. For the world is waiting out there for people like you to shake things up, move things around and be the person that changes it for the better. Your world is entirely your oyster and there are countless and endless opportunities for you to grab, if only you pushed yourself just a little and peeked round the corners you were already debating whether to. There is no better time to start preparing for adulthood and the professional world like now, don’t wait for graduation.

It doesn’t matter how old you are, how much experience you have or what university you went to or whether you went or not, remove that belief right away that you’re “too young”, “too inexperienced” or “not worthy” for that matter. You have gifts, natural talents and skills that you are yet to discover but the quicker you do the easier the journey. Let yourself be free, let yourself dream, let yourself fail for it is through doing that that you will grow and become a better version of yourself. Get outside of your comfort zone. Take with you what is helpful and let go of what is not, for the lighter the load the easier the transition. Think about who you are but more importantly think about who you want to be. Figure out what you want to be known for.

If you feel you’re lacking experience right now, go out and get it! Get out there intern, have a part time job, volunteer do work experience and test out the real world because quite frankly it is a whole different ball game to the establishment called Education. Every little thing you do counts, the extra-curricular basketball game, the weekend job at the super market, the tutoring of your siblings, the drama society you join… Do not shun the experience as meaningless but learn how to shine the light on how it’s made you a better and skilled human. Nothing will prepare you more than actually getting real life experience in whatever capacity that may look like.

There is nothing that you can’t achieve when you set your mind to it and go after it, the question is, how much do you want it?  

That idea that you’ve had in your head, sit down and put it on paper. That idea you’ve had on paper, get up from your chair and make it happen. That person you’ve wanted to learn from, email them and ask. Don’t wait for life to happen to you. Be pro-active and with a little help from the universe, amazing things can happen. Look upon those that have already trodden the path, listen to their guidance but throw away the map and create your own journey. You have the ability and the opportunity to take control of the outcome of your life. There will be no other moment in your life that time is on your side and permits you to trial and test out all these different lives, careers and opportunities available to you.  

Reinvention requires you to look in the mirror, pick out what you don’t like and throw it in the bin. September gives you the perfect opportunity to do this. It is a new academic start, a clean slate and an opportunity to put the past in the past and move forward. Those grades you missed, that internship you didn’t get, leave it there and make sure you go into the new academic year with every single inch of you raring to make the best of this year, preparing yourself for the best possible outcome you can set yourself up for. 

All the best, you’ve got this!

Always,

#AuthenticAlex

This post was written as part of the #FreshStart series, which is tied to LinkedIn’s student editorial calendar on #StudentVoices. Why not write your own?

Thanks for reading! I’ll be continuing to write on different topics every month so please feel free to click follow, comment and share.

In case we haven't virtually met yet... Hi! I'm #AuthenticAlex ex-corporate trainer in the Financial Services turned LinkedIn & Personal Branding Expert, Youth Advocate and Serial Networker on a mission to inspire, motivate and empower professionals to lead an authentic life. Find out more here...