My answer: being made redundant.

For most of us we are taught that your career should be your top tier focus. I tried that for a while and for some time it felt good! I was being paid, I had a fancy lil job title, and when people asked what I “did” it felt good to watch their reaction. Especially when my first gig out of uni was working in book publishing.

‘Oh my gosh you work in book publishing?! That is just the coolest!’

And it was, right up until the minute I was made redundant.

The book publishing industry in Australia (and around the world, but very much in Australia) is small. S.M.A.L.L. Really tiny. If you get a gig you are very lucky. But it’s also an industry based on interest – the money isn’t much, so you go into it because you love stories. If you’re passionate and keen to contribute to the creative process, it’s a really fun experience.

But 30-40 years ago workers could stay in the same business potentially for their entire career, this is no longer the case. Younger generations are not rewarded with loyalty in the same way. And this isn’t for lack of trying, either. Companies turn staff over like leaves blowing in the wind at the park. Budgets change, profits move. They invest big in things like AI one minute, and when it fails, carry out sweeping firing sessions the next. The gambles don’t pay off as much as they used to, and the benefits just aren’t there for the employees to stay long term.

But back to my point. What did redundancy teach me? Yes, have a job. But go harder on your personal life. Focus on your family, your creative projects, your “free” time. You won’t remember a single day at work. You’ll remember the people you love, the projects you built with your hands, the unique experiences you had. So focus on those more.

Have a good week!

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