{"id":11280,"date":"2011-06-12T17:03:16","date_gmt":"2011-06-12T21:03:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wendybrandes.com\/blog\/?p=11280"},"modified":"2011-06-12T17:04:29","modified_gmt":"2011-06-12T21:04:29","slug":"career-advice-for-young-wimmins-dont-borrow-trouble","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wendybrandes.com\/blog\/2011\/06\/career-advice-for-young-wimmins-dont-borrow-trouble\/","title":{"rendered":"Career Advice for Young Wimmins: Don’t Borrow Trouble"},"content":{"rendered":"

The New York Times ran a story today about commencement speeches<\/a> and included an excerpt from Sheryl Sandberg, the chief operating officer of Facebook, who spoke at Barnard College. Her words are worth repeating:<\/p>\n

“Women almost never make one decision to leave the work force. It doesn\u2019t happen that way. They make small little decisions along the way that eventually lead them there. Maybe it\u2019s the last year of med school when they say, ‘I\u2019ll take a slightly less interesting specialty because I\u2019m going to want more balance one day.’ Maybe it\u2019s the fifth year in a law firm when they say, ‘I\u2019m not even sure I should go for partner, because I know I\u2019m going to want kids eventually.’ These women don\u2019t even have relationships, and already they\u2019re finding balance, balance for responsibilities they don\u2019t yet have. And from that moment, they start quietly leaning back.<\/em><\/p>\n

So, my heartfelt message to all of you is, and start thinking about this now, do not leave before you leave. Do not lean back; lean in. Put your foot on that gas pedal and keep it there until the day you have to make a decision, and then make a decision. That\u2019s the only way, when that day comes, you\u2019ll even have a decision to make.”<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Sheryl Sandberg, courtesy The New York Times. Click for source.<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/em> <\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

<\/em>After reading this, I realized how often I’ve heard young women plan their careers in just such a way: someday I’ll want to have a family, so I better rein myself in now. I call that “borrowing trouble<\/a>” — reacting to a future, imagined problem. The small-scale version that I frequently hear from family and friends is: “Maybe I shouldn’t apply for that job. If I get it, I have to move to a new city\/commute for hours\/work all night\/[insert other possible dire consequence here].” I’ve said it myself. But what I tell friends, family and myself is, “Apply for the job and worry about the consequences later. You can always say no.” Wimmins, don’t cut yourself off from opportunity!\u00a0 You can always<\/em> change your mind and your career (I’ve done it<\/a>), but you won’t have the Best!Job!Ever! if you don’t even apply for it. Remember, the more you achieve, the more you’ll be able to make and break rules to suit your future needs.\u00a0 And never forget what Adam Ant said<\/a>, which I quoted just yesterday:<\/p>\n

“Don\u2019t you ever, don\u2019t you ever,<\/em>
\n Lower yourself, forgetting all your standards.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

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The New York Times ran a story today about commencement speeches and included an excerpt from Sheryl Sandberg, the chief operating officer of Facebook, who spoke at Barnard College. Her words are worth repeating: “Women almost never make one decision to leave the work force. It doesn\u2019t happen that way. They make small little decisions…<\/p>\n

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