I'm not sure where else to post this. In recent months, I've been experiencing a tough patch myself that's led to some dark thoughts in line with this topic.
I'm at the crossroads. I've single-mindedly dedicated my adult life towards a challenging career goal, and the evidence suggested I was likely to succeed. However, over the past 2 years or so, I've let myself down in terms of motivation and work ethic. As a result, some incredible career opportunities have permanently slipped through my fingers, along with my confidence, my social life, and eventually, my partner.
In Richmond-speak, while the outcome hasn't gone my way, I've also deviated greatly from my process. I'm aware that I need to get back to my process to be successful, but somehow, I've lost all courage to live by my own winning habits that I had breathed religiously in the past. I haven't been sweeping the sheds, and I know it.
Thankfully, I haven't chosen a destructive path in this time, and I can better understand how some people end up down some of those one-way lanes. Also, I'm lucky to have some good friends who will always support me, so it could be worse. There's plenty of people who have it worse than me.
But still, I've lost my way. I've forgotten my internal narrative that once gave context to my efforts. In this moment, and for most of this year, I simply feel completely directionless in both career and life, and I'm not sure if I'll even achieve a fraction of what everyone once expected from me.
Among the many questions wandering in my mind at the moment is... how should I even begin to approach the coming months?
I guess it could be analogous to a young footballer receiving a career-ending injury before entering his prime. How does someone figure out a completely new career when you've committed everything to a single pathway? How do you rationalise that sunk cost of unrewarded dedication?
Apologies if this post is a little too
vulnerable for comfort or in the wrong thread. I'm sure things will work out somehow, even if I can't see it right now. It just feels like I made a decision to gamble heavily on myself, saw success on the key measures over several years, but have ultimately walked away empty-handed, insecure, and uncharacteristically pessimistic about my future. It's a tough thing to deal with, and a hard one to talk about.
Although I don't personally know anyone on here, I've enjoyed reading posts by some thoughtful people on here over the years, and I thought it can't hurt for anyone to speak up at a time when they don't feel like speaking. My inbox is gratefully open for any thoughts, encouragement, stories, or general advice if someone has experienced a similar point in their life.
I'm at the crossroads. I've single-mindedly dedicated my adult life towards a challenging career goal, and the evidence suggested I was likely to succeed. However, over the past 2 years or so, I've let myself down in terms of motivation and work ethic. As a result, some incredible career opportunities have permanently slipped through my fingers, along with my confidence, my social life, and eventually, my partner.
In Richmond-speak, while the outcome hasn't gone my way, I've also deviated greatly from my process. I'm aware that I need to get back to my process to be successful, but somehow, I've lost all courage to live by my own winning habits that I had breathed religiously in the past. I haven't been sweeping the sheds, and I know it.
Thankfully, I haven't chosen a destructive path in this time, and I can better understand how some people end up down some of those one-way lanes. Also, I'm lucky to have some good friends who will always support me, so it could be worse. There's plenty of people who have it worse than me.
But still, I've lost my way. I've forgotten my internal narrative that once gave context to my efforts. In this moment, and for most of this year, I simply feel completely directionless in both career and life, and I'm not sure if I'll even achieve a fraction of what everyone once expected from me.
Among the many questions wandering in my mind at the moment is... how should I even begin to approach the coming months?
I guess it could be analogous to a young footballer receiving a career-ending injury before entering his prime. How does someone figure out a completely new career when you've committed everything to a single pathway? How do you rationalise that sunk cost of unrewarded dedication?
Apologies if this post is a little too
vulnerable for comfort or in the wrong thread. I'm sure things will work out somehow, even if I can't see it right now. It just feels like I made a decision to gamble heavily on myself, saw success on the key measures over several years, but have ultimately walked away empty-handed, insecure, and uncharacteristically pessimistic about my future. It's a tough thing to deal with, and a hard one to talk about.
Although I don't personally know anyone on here, I've enjoyed reading posts by some thoughtful people on here over the years, and I thought it can't hurt for anyone to speak up at a time when they don't feel like speaking. My inbox is gratefully open for any thoughts, encouragement, stories, or general advice if someone has experienced a similar point in their life.
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