Growing, Balancing, Thriving: Helpful Lessons Today's Adults Could Use

veryone has different goals regarding their academic, professional, and personal journeys. However, the one thing that most young adults can agree on is that they want to thrive as quickly as possible. Understandably, some adults get frustrated when they don’t achieve all their goals upon graduating from college. 

That said, achieving all your goals so young can deprive you of key personal and professional growth. If your life is balanced, your personal and professional growth should align in many ways. Follow along as we highlight some key lessons today’s adults can learn about growing and thriving personally and professionally. 

Thriving as an Adult in Today’s World Doesn’t Have to Be So Complicated 

Entering the workforce in early adulthood is equally exciting and nerve-racking. It’s hard to thrive if you feel overwhelmed by your responsibilities and unsure of your goals. However, you can avoid many early adulthood pitfalls if you consider a few key tips, including:

1. Networking is Key

No matter how many credentials you have, they’ll only take you so far if you don’t network. The people you meet in early adulthood, whether at school or work, can largely impact your life. In college, you’re likely surrounded by like-minded people who share similar goals and interests. 

This even applies to online college courses, which typically include group chats and video conferences. One day, you may work with some of these people, and your careers may unfold at different rates. The relationships you build can make you better at what you do and can possibly advance your career. 

It’s also a great idea to apply for internships and learn as much as you can from the people around you. This doesn’t always lead to a long-term job, but you’ll at least learn a lot and meet people. Never burn bridges and always think about how your relationships affect you personally and professionally. 

2. Balance Your Life

Getting caught up with work, finances, chores, and family responsibilities is all too easy as a young adult. Giving too much time to any category and ignoring the others can make your life feel quite stressful and overwhelming. You must maintain a healthy balance between all your responsibilities if you want to thrive while also growing. 

The best way to do this is to get organized and carefully consider your priorities. Some young adults put themselves in stressful situations while balancing their work, personal, and academic lives. Today, finding balance is easier, as you can enroll in online college courses and set your schedule around them.

College students have never had more freedom, and this can help prevent burnout before your career even starts. Finding balance is equally important once you start your career, as giving too much of yourself to your work can cause problems. Whether you’re in college or just graduated, you must define your priorities and give yourself some room to breathe. 

3. Prepare for Your Late Career

Upon graduating from college, many people understandably apply to as many relevant entry-level jobs as possible. This is a great way to set yourself up for an upwardly mobile career, but only if you take the right steps. Unfortunately, you can only go so far in some careers if you don’t think ahead and get the right credentials.

Sometimes, this involves going to college for a few more years to earn an advanced degree. For example, earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) can open the door to high-level job titles. Not only that, but you can also often start your career with a higher salary than if you had a bachelor’s degree. 

It’s also worth looking into other credentials, such as licenses and certifications, that can help you advance your career. You can always do this later in your career if you want to slide into new specializations. This is a great way to keep your existing credentials relevant and maximize your professional potential. 

4. Set Small Goals

It’s easy to feel dissatisfied with your personal and professional life if you expect to reach huge milestones right away. Earning your dream job title can take years, and the journey is just as rewarding as the outcome. That’s why it’s important to set small goals as a young adult and celebrate each milestone along the way. 

This can include graduating from college, getting a degree-relevant job, and putting some money away. Fixating on where you want to be, both personally and professionally, can stop you from appreciating where you’re at. You don’t necessarily need to make a list, but it helps to at least think about your short-term goals and celebrate them as you meet them.

In many cases, you’ll find that each of these smaller accomplishments gets you much closer to your long-term goals. This makes tracking personal and professional growth much easier and more rewarding. However, you’ll endure unnecessary stress if you focus on how things could have gone and what you haven’t done. 

Enjoying the Journey is Half the Battle

You can set yourself up for success if you establish meaningful relationships and define your goals. Setting goals and learning from the people you meet along the way can help you appreciate each step in your journey. That said, you must carefully balance your professional, personal, and academic life, or you may burn yourself out as a young adult. 

Look at each professional relationship and position as a teachable moment, for better or worse. You can learn just as much from bad professional experiences as you can from great moments. Balancing your life and reaching your goals one at a time can help you thrive and achieve balance.