It’s no secret that when we’re kids, we know exactly what we want to do when we grow up. The world is your oyster, and your dreams are larger than life. Sometimes when I hear kids talking about their future, I feel their enthusiasm and security in their decisions, and I wonder “When did I stop knowing?” At first, I wanted to be a veterinarian or a marine biologist. Next it was a reporter or an author. Then it was an event planner or a restaurant owner. And now? Well, now I have no idea. Throughout my last three years of college, I have always dreaded the impending question, “What do you want to do after college?” I would say, “I don’t know.” The inevitable follow up is, “Well what are you interested in?” Embarrassed, disheartened, and even more confused, I respond, “I don’t know.”

I found myself becoming more and more frustrated in these moments. I’m not frustrated at the person. I believe that their curiosity is sincere. I’m not frustrated by the question. It’s a valid thing to ask. I’m frustrated with myself. Why do I not know?

To quote our very own, Jonathan D. Rosen, “If you’re going to fail…fail fast.” This idea was brought to my attention early into my days working at Wealthy Habits. Essentially, the idea is to explore different paths, engage with unexpected opportunities, and try your hand at something new. But if you are going to fail…fail fast, learn from it, and move on.

The world is a daunting place. The pressure to know yourself and be secure in your decisions can feel burdensome. But nothing is set in stone, and every now and then we are granted opportunities that allow us to grow and change. When you fail fast, you’re given the chance to make discoveries about yourself quickly. So, when you’re in that same situation as me, where you find yourself in a state of constant “I don’t knows”, know that if you try and don’t succeed…you don’t always have to try again. But you do have to try something new. Keep trying, keep failing, and one day not only will you succeed, but you’ll be thankful for all of the lessons you had along the way.