How to Succeed and Take Care of Yourself as a 2020 College Graduate

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.</h2><p id="e45e">Can’t find a full-time job? That’s okay. If you are interested in freelancing, go for it. Check out Fiverr, Upwork, Medium, and <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=publications+that+pay+freelance+writers&oq=publications+that+pay+freelance+writers&aqs=chrome.0.0l2.5007j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8">other publications</a>. Pitch your work. Make sure to research the best practices with pitching that are specific to each outlet and how others have made extra money through that outlet. Take advantage of the time you have right now to put in your all.</p><h2 id="fbd9">You can work a part-time job on the side if you need to for the money.</h2><p id="fbfd">There’s nothing wrong with working at a store on the side for extra, consistent cash. Even the <a href="https://readmedium.com/how-big-magic-helped-me-push-past-my-fear-of-failure-with-writing-and-how-it-can-help-you-too-d8b0e3df815?source=---------5------------------">most successful people had to work side jobs</a> while pursuing their creative dreams. Do what you need to do and try to find pleasure in it. A side job can also give you content ideas!</p><h2 id="9a14">Don’t let your fear of failure get in the way.</h2><p id="fecc">We will all fail sometimes, but <a href="https://readmedium.com/get-excited-about-failures-because-they-lead-you-to-greater-success-7365844c0863?source=---------12------------------">sometimes our rejections can lead us to greater success</a>. If we want to succeed, we must put ourselves out there. Figure out places where you can succeed and work hard at them. Be excited about every success, no matter how small. You have to start somewhere, and you may be surprised by how well things turn out.</p><h2 id="b539">Maintain boundaries surrounding your work-life balance.</h2><p id="79d9">Even though working hard is important, taking breaks is important too. <a href="https://www.inc.com/minda-zetlin/productivity-workday-52-minutes-work-17-minutes-break-travis-bradberry-pomodoro-technique.html">If we want to be efficient, we have to take care of ourselves</a>. Have your set workday hours, then go watch your favorite show. Make sure you’re getting adequate meals, snacks, and sleep as well. Make fun plans. When th

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e workday is over, it’s over. Set boundaries and don’t feel guilty for needing to take a step back sometimes.</p><h2 id="c6f5">Don’t beat yourself up or feel like you’re not good enough.</h2><p id="00bd"><a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf">Millions of people are unemployed</a> right now. Your lack of formal employment doesn’t mean you’re not good enough. A lot goes into getting hired that we may not realize, like luck and nepotism. You will have your time to shine, I promise, and even <a href="https://www.inc.com/business-insider/21-successful-people-who-rebounded-after-getting-fired.html">the most successful people had their setbacks</a>. Your worth isn’t dependent on your level of traditional success. Redefine what success means for you specifically right now.</p><h2 id="5d11">Figure out what your goals are and do what you can to achieve them.</h2><p id="bb84">Remember to make <a href="https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/smart-goals">SMART goals</a>: goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. These goals could pertain to the number of hours you work each day, the number of views you get on a story, or the number of stories you write. You may need to push yourself a little, take a break, and then get back to work or market yourself more. When you achieve your goals, be proud of yourself. When you don’t achieve your goals, rethink them, and know that it’s okay; you can do better next time.</p><p id="fff7">Ultimately, don’t be afraid to pursue what you want. Take advantage of this time, both in working hard and enjoying activities that help you relax. Set both boundaries and goals, and think about how you can achieve what you want.</p><p id="9e61">As Rumi said, “Try not to resist the changes that come your way. Instead, let life live through you. And do not worry that your life is turning upside down. How do you know that the side you are used to is better than the one to come?”</p><h2 id="1cba">The Mini Post-Grad Survival Guide</h2><p id="6744">A 5-day email course with amazing tips on budgeting, investing, and productivity for 20-somethings. <a href="https://morning-darkness-5176.ck.page/75ec2d5152">Sign up for free</a>.</p></article></body>

Work hard, relax hard, and love yourself through it all.

Photo: Andrew Neel/Unsplash

The college class of 2020 has dealt with curveball after curveball. Having to graduate into a global pandemic and the largest recession since the Great Depression is no easy task. Nearly 50 percent of graduates may struggle to find employment, yet are having to pay for more and more as they continue further into adulthood.

If you’re like me, you spent many weeks applying for jobs and many days crying about your anxiety about not even getting interviews. You got tired of updating your LinkedIn and looking for jobs that just weren’t there.

I eventually realized that a 9 to 5 corporate job isn’t even what I really want. I love writing more than anything, and being able to work for myself is ideal. Between realizing this, seeing friends feeling the same, and noticing my lack of success with job applications, I decided to pursue freelance writing. I would work as hard as I could to figure out if it was an option for me. And if you’re as blessed as I am, the person you’re living with is understanding about your situation.

Now is the perfect time for us to live out these dreams. Job hiring is frozen, and people are even getting fired. We’re so young; we don’t need a career job right yet.

To my fellow 2020 college graduates, here are some reminders I want to give you.

Now is the time to pursue and work hard at your freelancing dreams.

Can’t find a full-time job? That’s okay. If you are interested in freelancing, go for it. Check out Fiverr, Upwork, Medium, and other publications. Pitch your work. Make sure to research the best practices with pitching that are specific to each outlet and how others have made extra money through that outlet. Take advantage of the time you have right now to put in your all.

Don’t let your fear of failure get in the way.

We will all fail sometimes, but sometimes our rejections can lead us to greater success. If we want to succeed, we must put ourselves out there. Figure out places where you can succeed and work hard at them. Be excited about every success, no matter how small. You have to start somewhere, and you may be surprised by how well things turn out.

Maintain boundaries surrounding your work-life balance.

Even though working hard is important, taking breaks is important too. If we want to be efficient, we have to take care of ourselves. Have your set workday hours, then go watch your favorite show. Make sure you’re getting adequate meals, snacks, and sleep as well. Make fun plans. When the workday is over, it’s over. Set boundaries and don’t feel guilty for needing to take a step back sometimes.

Don’t beat yourself up or feel like you’re not good enough.

Millions of people are unemployed right now. Your lack of formal employment doesn’t mean you’re not good enough. A lot goes into getting hired that we may not realize, like luck and nepotism. You will have your time to shine, I promise, and even the most successful people had their setbacks. Your worth isn’t dependent on your level of traditional success. Redefine what success means for you specifically right now.

Figure out what your goals are and do what you can to achieve them.

Remember to make SMART goals: goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. These goals could pertain to the number of hours you work each day, the number of views you get on a story, or the number of stories you write. You may need to push yourself a little, take a break, and then get back to work or market yourself more. When you achieve your goals, be proud of yourself. When you don’t achieve your goals, rethink them, and know that it’s okay; you can do better next time.

Ultimately, don’t be afraid to pursue what you want. Take advantage of this time, both in working hard and enjoying activities that help you relax. Set both boundaries and goals, and think about how you can achieve what you want.

As Rumi said, “Try not to resist the changes that come your way. Instead, let life live through you. And do not worry that your life is turning upside down. How do you know that the side you are used to is better than the one to come?”