I recently met with an old colleague to catch up after many years apart. While we settled very quickly into an easy conversation – almost like the time had never passed – it also gave me cause to reflect. It made me think about my business behaviour and some of the decisions I made on the way to achieving various things. It made me think about my own expectations and approaches – the things I wanted and how I thought my future might play out.
For example, I thought that at some point that I would:
- “Receive the knowledge” – that sense of understanding of how the world works and why
- Work less and earn more – I know. I can hear you laughing from here
- Work on more meaningful projects – sometimes you strike it lucky, but I look to my work with Vibewire for this
- Know what I’m doing – the truth is, I’m constantly creating new knowledge and new ways of working. And I think you should too.
The interesting thing, is that I am not alone in these youthful delusions. It seems that the much more self-aware Ann Handley rowed that same boat. Here are five things that she thought she knew at 22 that turned out to be totally wrong. Of course, it doesn’t make her any less awesome.