Career hindsight

A career is a long series of decisions that usually make sense looking backward, not forward.
I'm mid-journey on mine, and I'm starting to understand the hasty decisions I made in my twenties. I didn't then. The benefit of hindsight I suppose.

I wanted to share 20 learnings I've made along the way in no specific order. They probably wouldn't have made sense to me in my twenties. I hope they'll make sense to you.

1. Success is subjective, temporary, and only loosely coupled with happiness.
2. Work is problem-solving. Only you can decide what problems are meaningful to solve.
3. The perfect job doesn't exist. Don't search it.
4. Truth is a moving target. What is true for you today may not be tomorrow. Don't overthink.
5. Decisions reduce uncertainty. The more you decide, the more you know.
6. Tasks are transactional. Jobs are relational.
7. Questions matter more than answers.
8. If you don't know where you want to go, begin with where you don't want to go.
9. The people you work with will impact you more than the work itself. Choose the boring job with fun people over the fun job with boring people.
10. Expectations lead to disappointment. Focus on what you can control: your decisions and your actions.
11. Often, it's easier to believe that we're not in control.
12. Flexibility doesn't come with responsibilities. It comes with uncertainty.
13. Giving tends to be more gratifying than taking.
14. Working hard is egotistical. Assume it.
15. 10 years from now, the only people who will remember that you worked late nights are your family and friends.
16. Wanting more is not a quality. It's a liability.
17. Status is an illusion. It's up to you if you want to believe in it.
18. Skills can be learned. Talent needs to be discovered.
19. Companies are not families.
20. Individuals are awesome. Groups are tricky. Organizations suck.

Alright, it's turning into a rant. I'll stop here.