Renew yourself every day!

Youth is a time of brilliance but also full of challenges. As we pass the age of 25, we stand at a crucial crossroads: stable employment or self-challenge? Passion or reality? Success or failure? In a letter to himself 10 years ago, the author shares valuable experiences and lessons learned about career, finances, and the readiness to face the changes in the job market. It's a message not only for those turning 25, but for everyone on their journey of self-discovery and self-affirmation.

Wishing you and your peers a happy 25th birthday, may you always be strong, steadfast, and find the path that best suits you! (Image created by ChatGPT)

Hi there – this is me, 25 years old.

I just saw the "This Day in History" post on Facebook. You've just returned from your business trip to Ca Mau , looking radiant. In the first three months of the year, you went on four trips and received praise from your superiors for your outstanding work. Congratulations and thank you for staying true to your motto: Don't prioritize money when you first graduate, and instead give yourself the opportunity to prove yourself.

But hey, while I'm not prioritizing money, don't accept working for free. Unpaid work is a very fragile agreement. It can easily make you seem irresponsible or like an exploiter for the other person.

At 25, you'll face a crossroads. Once your wings are sufficiently strong, it's time to think about your future. Your current workplace is an ideal environment. But is it truly your dream job? Remember: If you don't do what you love, you'll die a little each day.

And when the right offer comes along, you'll break free from your shell. Not only will you receive better compensation, but you'll also be given the opportunity to realize your dreams. You'll lead the team in battling the "monsters" of briefs, deadlines, KPIs, feedback... Since you're not a superhero, you'll inevitably feel dizzy and disoriented a few times. You'll feel resentful, sad, and question your own abilities. But the Earth keeps turning, and life goes on. Every time you fall, you get back up, picking up lessons from failure to forge new armor for yourself.

With effort, dedication (and a little luck too), you will succeed. You will have the income you once dreamed of. Congratulations! You have the right to enjoy it, but please don't spend every penny. Build a reserve fund for yourself and your family to ensure a comfortable life for about 3-6 months, in case of unforeseen circumstances. Because epidemics, natural disasters, technological changes, political instability… there are countless factors that cause this world to change every day. Above all, my friend, there is always a rise and fall. Your peak today will be commonplace tomorrow. The field you considered a gold mine will tomorrow no longer attract investors. Always prepare for a future where you have to hand out resumes.

We all know that March is always the golden time to change jobs, right? Workers seek new opportunities for advancement and increased income; companies recruit new staff. But this year is different! The government's drastic streamlining of the bureaucracy is creating tens, even hundreds of thousands of redundant state employees, shaking up the labor market. That's not even considering the adjustments made by large companies and corporations after a period of massive recruitment to support the explosive growth phase following the Covid-19 pandemic. There's only one position available, yet we have to compete with recent graduates, peers, and even... older people!

Recently, I heard an inspiring yet chilling quote from streamer Pewpew: "The ideal job these days isn't about passion anymore. It's simply about having a decent salary and getting paid on time." Indeed, in my time, being able to work is already a great honor. So, if you feel you're lagging behind your peers, don't be too impatient. Rushing to get rich easily leads to high-risk ventures, even scams.

To prepare well for the future, simply doing your current job well isn't enough. You also need to constantly improve yourself every day. This isn't just about updating your knowledge and learning new skills, but also about bravely facing new challenges, connecting with new people, and seeking new opportunities. Knowledge and experience are like money. If you don't accumulate them, even small setbacks can become big problems. Employers don't want to hear you talk about your golden age. They only care if you have the skills to solve their problems.

25, you still maintain your reading habit, huh? For a long time, I was so engrossed in work that I completely forgot about it. I still bought books, but I only read a few pages and then put them aside. Recently, when I was going through a tough time, I picked one up to relieve stress. That book was amazing, like a refreshing rain shower on the barren land in my head. I was overjoyed, but also deeply hurt! It hurt to realize I've fallen behind the market for quite some time.

I've always believed that challenges present opportunities. Even though I may have started late, I've continued to learn and improve, ready to seize opportunities when they arise. Wishing my 25th birthday and all my peers strength, perseverance, and the ability to find the path that best suits them!

My cousin 10 years from now.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/thu-gui-25-hay-lam-moi-minh-moi-ngay-308848.html