Every career has a set of common problems

Every career has a set of common problems that frequently arise. One of the keys to loving your job is to enjoy working on the frequent problems that come with your chosen path. In the best cases, wrestling with the problems feels like fun.

The barrier is simple

Start. The barrier is simple: fear. The fear of beginning and of sticking with it. The fear of succeeding (or failing). The fear of impostor syndrome. And the fear of going forward without a guarantee. So let’s call it that. Fear is real, but fear might not be rational. Begin.

Trees can’t run

Trees can’t run. That changes everything. This is the spot, your spot, a spot worth protecting. Trees understand the neighborhood's power and the value of good neighbors. Trees can’t be anonymous, and they succeed by standing tall and sticking it out. Trees do better in a forest, surrounded by other trees. And trees think in long time frames, because now keeps changing but later is the actual urgency. Trees are mortal. And so generations are the actual long game. Fires and floods will come and go, but the seeds spread and flourish. As humans, we often underestimate the gift of new decisions, new locations and the ability to quit and move on. And just as often, we miss the chance to plant roots and stand for something.

How long does it take for you to move on?

When things don’t turn out the way you pictured, how long does it take for you to move on? Reducing this window of disappointment unlocks the path to creativity and leadership. People who get over disappointment more quickly aren’t less excited about the project than the others. They realize that getting attached to an outcome doesn’t increase its likelihood, and in fact, makes it less likely that their next project will be as bold. Turns out that this is a common practice among professionals in every field.

Attitudes are skills

If the stakes are high enough and the duration you need to keep it together is short enough, can you control your response? Because if we can do it then, we can learn to do it now. Acknowledging that it’s a choice is difficult, because choices come with responsibility. “I’m not a patient person” is not the same as “Being patient requires a lot of work for me.” Attitudes are skills. Like all skills, they take practice, preparation and effort.

Choose what deserves your attention

Your attention shapes your experience, so direct it rather than let the world steal it. Ignore outrage, gossip and information that adds nothing to your life. Wisdom is partly knowing what to overlook so you have enough attention left for the people, ideas and work that matter.

Practice discomfort before life demands it

Practice discomfort before life demands it. Regularly choose something mildly uncomfortable: take the stairs, tolerate a few minutes of boredom or finish a difficult task before reaching for distraction. The point isn’t to glorify suffering; it’s to enjoy convenience without becoming dependent on it. Small doses of voluntary difficulty build the capacity to cope when discomfort is no longer optional.