It appears to me that as I get older and look back at what was important to me in my work life, I find each decade can be characterized differently. I also find I have inadvertently come full circle. I hope this doesn’t mean I am about to die or something.

The 20’s- high need to change the world, make a difference. Did not really care about the money as much I cared about the mission.

The 30’s- high need to do it all, career, marriage, and children. Realization that I needed to pay my Nordstrom’s bill.

The 40’s- recognition that while I can do it all, something has to give, so one foregoes sleep, tries to attend children’s functions, and is constantly negotiating with time spent with work, husband, children. A desperate need for flexibility.

The 50’s- realization I will not change the world but now want to give back to the world, make a difference and still need to pay my Nordstrom’s bill.

Isn’t there a line like “the only definites in life are death and taxes”. My version of that is “the only definites in life are wanting to make a difference and the Nordstrom’s bill.”

What are your definites?