#71: 24 Career Lessons from 2024
Hard truths, big wins, and a few LOLz along the way.
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24 Career Lessons from 2024
Well, LOLers, we’ve nearly made it to the end of the year—an accomplishment in itself. So, how are we doing? Personally, I’m still scraping myself off the wall I hit about a month ago. And honestly? I plan to stay this way—pancaked and slightly smushed—until the bitter end.
Through it all, I’ve kept showing up at my computer to share what I was thinking, reflecting on, and consuming. Thank you for listening, for your emails, your stories, and your ideas. In my most difficult moments, it was knowing you were out there that got me to sit down and type. For that, I’m endlessly grateful.
For the last two weeks of the year, I’m honoring my pancaked state by gifting myself a break from Laid Off Life. (Vacation days are a relic of my corporate past, but I’m reclaiming them anyway.) I’ll be unplugging and settling in to watch an absolutely ludicrous number of holiday movies. So…Happy Holidays, and I’ll see you in 2025!
Now, years usually end with lists—bests, worsts, goals, intentions, yadda yadda yadda. But in my current pancaked and smushed state, I’m skipping the traditional lists and instead leaving you with the career lessons I’ve learned from this year.
2024 was a mixed bag. There were some big wins: I launched my business, sold a creative project, and landed some fantastic freelance gigs with wonderful clients. But it wasn’t all confetti and champagne. The roller coaster of self-employment hit hard—no steady paychecks, health insurance premiums that nearly made me cry, and loneliness that crept in when I didn’t have coworkers to bounce ideas (or vent) with.
So, without further ado, here are the lessons I’m taking away from 2024:
It’s OK to say NO to opportunities that aren’t right for you—even when you’re in need of work or building a new business. Trust your gut.
Hobbies can surprise you—they might turn into side hustles, or even your next full-time gig.
You don’t have to be chained to your desk from 9 to 5 to get meaningful work done. Productivity thrives on flexibility.
Allowing > efforting. Sometimes stepping back is the best way to move forward. I don’t need to charge at every task like a bull at a muleta.
Giving yourself permission to do things your way is wildly empowering.
Exercise and daily meditation make everything better. Seriously. Everything.
Establishing an authentic social media presence and kick ass personal branding IS important.
“Everyone has to work hard no matter what their gift is.” I took this one from the show Somebody Somewhere but it resonates deeply.
The Comparison Trap is a one-way ticket to Depression Town. Don’t go there.
Success isn’t just a paycheck or a job title. It’s also about freedom, fulfillment, and joy.
Speaking of joy—let it lead the way!
The 8 stages of unemployment are real, and you can bounce between them like a pinball for a long time. That’s OK.
Building faith in yourself is just as important as prospecting clients. Believe first, then do.
Rejection isn’t always a bad thing—it’s often a gift.
Being of service to others is the best cure for self-pity. Try it.
The best thing about work? The coworkers. And yeah, I miss having them.
Ghost job posts and being ghosted by recruiters is a “thing” in the job market now, and it’s the worst. We deserve better.
Starting over takes time. Get cozy with the slow build.
The job market is brutal, but people are landing jobs. Keep the faith.
You don’t need all the answers before you start. Just start.
Yes, you can turn a career crisis (and post-layoff outrage) into real opportunities.
Never count (or talk about) a chicken before it’s hatched and laid a signed contract at your feet.
What were the lessons you’re taking away from this year?
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