7 Career Lessons That Double as Good Life Advice - The Muse

7 Career Lessons That Double as Good Life Advice - The Muse7 Career Lessons That Double as Good Life AdviceHere at The Muse, we talk a lot about careers. (I know, thats stating the obvious.)The thing is, if you really think about it, a lot of the advice we give can be applied to any situation. After all, work and life arent all that separate from one another. Many of the lessons you learn from your job can shape your personal life, and vice versa.Thats why weve rounded up seven career articles that double as good life advice- because yes, you should love what you do for eight hours of your day, but you should also love the life you live in the rest of those hours. 1. Theres No Such Thing as the Right DecisionYou make tons of decisions each and every day. And feeling like you have a tiny devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other, both weighing in on every major choice and insignificant call- like whether you should order an iced coffee or iced tea- is exhausting. Stop overanalyz ing all the small decisions you make in a day and instead lean on how you feel and what you know to be true. You cant go wrong that way.Read More Good News for People Who Overanalyze Everything Right Decisions Dont Exist2. Clear Communication Is the Key to a Successful RelationshipThat goes for colleagues and bosses as well as friends, romantic partners, and family members. Miscommunication happens all the time both in the workplace and beyond it. But you can fix that once you start speaking confidently and directly. Read More 5 Habits of Truly Amazing Communicators3. Nobody Knows What Theyre Doing 100% of the TimeNo matter how much you stay organized and think ahead, youll never be fully prepared for what life throws your way- whether its a tricky client or company restructuring, or an apartment flood or parenting issue. Lifes unpredictable and imperfect. Theres no need to have it all figured out- nobody does. Read More How to Get Over I Have No Idea What Im Doing Syndrome4. You Do nt Need to Take Everyones Advice to HeartSure, you should be open to feedback. But that doesnt mean youre going to agree with all of it- or even that you have to implement it. Everyones going to have different advice for how you should manage your team, run a meeting, or where you should take your career. Or, they might weigh in with their opinions about your cleaning habits, hobbies, or relationships. The key is to take that input into consideration and make the call thats best for you. Read More Heres Exactly What to Do When Someone Gives You Feedback You Disagree With5. Writing Can Help You Out of a SlumpIf you feel like youre caught in a career rut- or any rut for that matter- freewriting can help you out of it. It works because there are no expectations for what you write, what you think, or how you feel. Its about processing your internal monologue on paper so you can get a better handle on where youre feeling stuck.Read More How to Freewrite Your Way Out of a Career Slump (Ev en if Youre Not a Writer)6. Youre Allowed to Leave Behind Things That Dont Fulfill YouSometimes certain things look and feel rosier in your imagination than in reality. As you experience new things in your life, you might be surprised to find that your interests lie elsewhere. Its OK to change course, and its OK if you leave behind something that you once valued or loved.Read More Its OK if What You Thought Would Make You Happy Didnt7. Nothing You Do Is a WasteLost friendships and relationships arent a waste of time. Neither was your last job or your failed side project. In fact, it was probably the stepping stone you needed to get to where you are now. Consider how far youve come, instead. Youve gained so much because of those things youve lost- remember to focus on that. Read More 3 Reasons That Job Wasnt a Waste of Time, Even if Your Current Ones Completely DifferentYour career and life are more intertwined than you think. So, dont forget to consider all that tried and true caree r advice when making decisions outside the office, too.