Advice for women in their 20s and 30s
If you feel stuck in your career, you need to decide whether you want to live a career-centered life or a lifestyle-centered life.
This concept, introduced to me by Erin McGoff, completely transformed the way I think about my career journey. It’s a framework that helps you align your career with what truly matters to you.
🔑 What’s the Difference?
💼 Career-Centered: Your career defines your life.
What it looks like: You prioritize your career aspirations and build your lifestyle around achieving those goals. Your choices—education, where you live, how you spend your time—are driven by what’s best for your career.
Example: A software engineer who dreams of working at a top tech company. They move to a city with a booming tech industry, dedicate hours to upskilling, and take roles that fast-track their growth, even if it means less time for hobbies or personal relationships.
🌍 Lifestyle-Centered: Your life defines your career.
What it looks like: You prioritize the type of life you want to live and choose a career that enables that lifestyle. Your job is a tool to support your personal goals, rather than being the center of your identity.
Example: Someone who values living in a small town close to family chooses to work remotely as a graphic designer. They pick clients that allow them to work flexible hours, ensuring they have time to enjoy local community events and weekend hikes.
🗺️ How to Decide What’s Right for You:
1️⃣ Define Your Priorities:
Ask yourself: What do I value most right now? Is it career growth, stability, freedom, or relationships? Your answer can guide whether to focus on lifestyle or career.
2️⃣ Imagine Your Ideal Day:
For a career-centered person, their day might involve leading a big project, solving complex problems, or working toward recognition in their field.
For a lifestyle-centered person, their day might include morning yoga, working remotely from a coffee shop, or spending evenings with loved ones.
3️⃣ Understand the Trade-offs:
A career-centered path often requires sacrifices like relocating, long hours, or delayed gratification for personal goals.
A lifestyle-centered path may mean choosing jobs that pay less or offer fewer growth opportunities but provide flexibility and balance.
4️⃣ Align Your Actions:
If career-centered, invest in certifications, networking, and roles that set you up for long-term growth.
If lifestyle-centered, explore remote roles, freelancing, or industries with strong work-life balance.
5️⃣ Revisit Your Choice Often:
Life evolves. What feels right in your 20s might not align with your 30s. Check in with yourself regularly to ensure your decisions still fit your goals.
This framework reminded me: there’s no “right” or “wrong” choice—only the one that’s right for YOU. Success looks different for everyone.
What advice do you have for women in their 20s and 30s? Please feel free to share in the comments ⬇️
♻️Repost to help others in your network
If you feel stuck in your career, you need to decide whether you want to live a career-centered life or a lifestyle-centered life.
This concept, introduced to me by Erin McGoff, completely transformed the way I think about my career journey. It’s a framework that helps you align your career with what truly matters to you.
🔑 What’s the Difference?
💼 Career-Centered: Your career defines your life.
What it looks like: You prioritize your career aspirations and build your lifestyle around achieving those goals. Your choices—education, where you live, how you spend your time—are driven by what’s best for your career.
Example: A software engineer who dreams of working at a top tech company. They move to a city with a booming tech industry, dedicate hours to upskilling, and take roles that fast-track their growth, even if it means less time for hobbies or personal relationships.
🌍 Lifestyle-Centered: Your life defines your career.
What it looks like: You prioritize the type of life you want to live and choose a career that enables that lifestyle. Your job is a tool to support your personal goals, rather than being the center of your identity.
Example: Someone who values living in a small town close to family chooses to work remotely as a graphic designer. They pick clients that allow them to work flexible hours, ensuring they have time to enjoy local community events and weekend hikes.
🗺️ How to Decide What’s Right for You:
1️⃣ Define Your Priorities:
Ask yourself: What do I value most right now? Is it career growth, stability, freedom, or relationships? Your answer can guide whether to focus on lifestyle or career.
2️⃣ Imagine Your Ideal Day:
For a career-centered person, their day might involve leading a big project, solving complex problems, or working toward recognition in their field.
For a lifestyle-centered person, their day might include morning yoga, working remotely from a coffee shop, or spending evenings with loved ones.
3️⃣ Understand the Trade-offs:
A career-centered path often requires sacrifices like relocating, long hours, or delayed gratification for personal goals.
A lifestyle-centered path may mean choosing jobs that pay less or offer fewer growth opportunities but provide flexibility and balance.
4️⃣ Align Your Actions:
If career-centered, invest in certifications, networking, and roles that set you up for long-term growth.
If lifestyle-centered, explore remote roles, freelancing, or industries with strong work-life balance.
5️⃣ Revisit Your Choice Often:
Life evolves. What feels right in your 20s might not align with your 30s. Check in with yourself regularly to ensure your decisions still fit your goals.
This framework reminded me: there’s no “right” or “wrong” choice—only the one that’s right for YOU. Success looks different for everyone.
What advice do you have for women in their 20s and 30s? Please feel free to share in the comments ⬇️
♻️Repost to help others in your network
