Self improvement/changing in 30s

[Heretolearn]

I do believe that we can change any time, any age etc. Although I am hardly considered a 'realist'.

A well respected colleague disagrees with me and says things like 'if you have not become a manager by 35, you never will'

I have behaviours and attitudes that I want to improve and change. I would not say I know how to get where I want to in life. I have goals/ideas except the path is not clear.

I can recognise behaviours and attitudes that I do need to improve or remove in order to reach my goals. What are the best tips/books/ideas/stories for improving yourself?

Any similar experiences?

 

[DarkShade]

Artificial timetables limit your progress artificially. I'm nearing 30 and just now am getting my life in order and progressing, I may be late but I've got plenty of juice left!

 

[squirrels]

Be open to all possibilities.

Don't do like I did, though...don't sit there and tell yourself, "not yet, not yet". I went through high-school thinking that I could start "living" in college. Then I went through college thinking I could start "living" after college. And now I'm STILL playing catch-up.

If you feel the urge to dabble in management, then do it. Don't wait for the position...start interacting with people and feeling out how to direct them. Leadership is really just good communication coupled with vision. A lot of people who are "managers" in name really don't have a clue about true "leadership", whereas leaders can arise in any situation with a little bit of conviction and the ability to pass that vision on to other people to motivate them to work with you, even FOR you, to achieve it.

Instead of kissing arse and jockeying for promotion, be the person that everyone around you says "deserves a management position". Your so-called "superiors" will recognize that and will want you on THEIR side.

The business world is like the dating world...there are people who go out and DO things and GET what they want, and there are people who sit there and wonder why the things they want aren't coming to THEM.

You want to be a manager? Take risks. Take responsibility...don't be afraid to put your name on something if you believe in it.

And learn to TALK to people. Learn how to talk to your managers as a deferential equal, instead of a subservient lackey or passive-aggressive grunt. "Niggaz bleed just like us".

 

[Jitterbug]

There's a series on finding your own vocation on the website The Arts of Manliness that I find very good. Check it out.