avatarWes Putnam

Summary

The article emphasizes the importance of making a careful and informed career choice to avoid a lifetime of stress and dissatisfaction, considering the significant amount of time one will spend working.

Abstract

The article titled "This Choice Will Make or Break You" urges readers to approach their career decisions with gravity and foresight. It underscores that the choices made early in one's career can have a profound impact on their future well-being, given the extensive number of working hours over an average working lifespan. By presenting a stark comparison to the duration of NFL games, the author illustrates the magnitude of time invested in a career, advocating for a well-considered decision rather than leaving it to chance. The article suggests that the stakes are high, with the potential for "unending stress and anxiety" if one's career path is not aligned with personal interests and values.

Opinions

  • The author conveys a sense of urgency about making a deliberate career choice to prevent future regret and dissatisfaction.
  • There is an opinion that one should not settle for a career path without rigorous thought, implying that many people may rush into career decisions.
  • The author implies that the average retirement age increasing to 70 by 2050 is a concerning trend, which adds to the importance of choosing a fulfilling career.
  • The comparison to watching NFL games is used to vividly illustrate the vast amount of time spent working throughout a typical career, suggesting that this time could be better spent doing something one truly enjoys.
  • The article suggests that many individuals may not realize their passion for a particular field until they have already invested a significant portion of their lives in a different career, highlighting the importance of self-awareness and reflection in career decision-making.

This Choice Will Make or Break You

Choose Wisely

Photo by Andrik Langfield on Unsplash

I don’t want to scare you but I don’t want to beat around the bush either.

If you want to avoid unending stress and anxiety, get on your horse and think hard about your career.

Here are some sobering numbers to think about (based on a 47 hour work week):

  1. The average retirement age will be 70 by 2050.
  2. If you graduate from college at age 22, that is 48 years.
  3. Over that span, you will work approximately 109,440 hours (adjusted for weekends and 20 vacation days per year).
  4. An average NFL game is 3 hours.
  5. That is the equivalent of watching 36,480 NFL games.

Before making a decision, please give it rigorous and intentional thought. Don’t settle. This is not a decision to leave to chance.

That’s a lot of NFL games to watch just to figure out that you like basketball better.

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Career
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