Learning How to Stay in the Game

In case you missed Part 7, read here.

For preface, these aren’t career advice articles…

It’s an article series about what it feels like to be at the starting line. 

Not to provide answers, but to help make sense of the experience - the learning curve. 

Everyone wants to succeed in their career. The faster the better.

But the truth is, it’s okay to not have everything figured out.

Recognise that you aren’t alone, and that your experiences are valid. 

This isn’t a game of speed or comparison, it's a game of endurance and patience.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned throughout my early career, it’s this: You need to become comfortable with being uncomfortable. 

Because the world around us is changing faster than we can fully process. Industries evolve. Technology shifts. Expectations increase. And sometimes, before we even adapt to one version of work, another version already appears.

The people who survive aren’t always the smartest or the most talented. Sometimes, they’re simply the ones willing to keep learning.

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I remember when I first started working, my supervisor was already exploring AI tools before it became normalised. He constantly encouraged me to experiment with it, to understand it early, to see how it could improve the way we worked.

But honestly, I resisted it at first. Something about it felt wrong. Maybe because it felt unnatural. Maybe because I thought using it made the work less genuine. Maybe because innovation always feels uncomfortable when it first arrives.

And I think that happens every time something disruptive enters the playing field. People fear it before they understand it.

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But that’s also the point of innovation. It changes the way we think, work, and adapt. And looking back, I’m grateful I had someone who wasn’t afraid to embrace change early and bring the people around him forward too. 

Because staying in the game sometimes means learning before you feel ready.

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Another thing I’ve realised is that no one survives their early career alone. Your colleagues, mentors, and support systems matter more than people realise. The right people make difficult periods feel manageable. They motivate you, guide you, challenge you, and sometimes simply remind you that you’re doing better than you think.

Having people you can rely on makes a difference.

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But realistically, not every environment is healthy.

Sometimes you meet people who compete aggressively. People who judge before understanding you. People who feel threatened by your growth instead of inspired by it.

And unfortunately, that’s part of working life too. Not every space will feel safe. Not every person will want the best for you.

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That’s why finding the right mentors matters.

Find people whose values and working styles resonate with you. People who have achieved goals you genuinely admire. People who challenge you to improve while still rooting for your success. And don’t be afraid to outgrow mentors either. As you evolve, the guidance you need may change too.

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One thing I wish more people talked about is this: You will have to rebuild yourself multiple times throughout your career. Not because you failed. But because growth changes you.

The version of you that survived university may not be enough for the workplace. The version of you that succeeded in your first role may not be enough for leadership later on.

And that’s okay.

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A lot of people think growth means finally “becoming” someone. But honestly, growth often feels more like repeatedly letting go of old versions of yourself. Your mindset changes. Your priorities shift. Your confidence rises and falls. Your goals evolve.

And learning how to adapt to those identity changes is part of staying in the game too.

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That’s why I think endurance matters more than perfection. Not everyone grows at the same speed. Not everyone starts from the same position. And not everyone’s journey will look impressive all the time.

But if you keep learning, keep adjusting, and keep showing up for yourself, eventually the growth compounds. Quietly.

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There’s a reason why the transition into adulthood and working life feels emotionally confusing sometimes.

Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory explains that different stages of life come with different internal struggles around identity, purpose, relationships, and direction. And early adulthood is often where people start questioning who they are becoming and where they belong in the world.

That uncertainty is more normal than we think.

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So if you’ve felt lost, overwhelmed, behind, burnt out, uncertain, or emotionally exhausted throughout your early career… You’re not alone.

A lot more people are figuring it out as they go than you realise.

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And if no one has told you this before: Crying during your first job is valid. Feeling scared is valid. Feeling lost is valid. 

You are learning how to exist in a completely new phase of life.

Maybe that’s what the learning curve really is. Not becoming perfect. But learning how to keep going anyway.

You made it through the week! Take a breather with us — you deserve it.

Wellness Wednesday

From mastering breathing techniques to unlocking the secrets of longevity, join Wim Hof Method Instructor Piyachai Teo as he dives into simple yet powerful ways to boost your health and happiness.