Growth is incredibly slow. Did you know that an avocado tree grown from seed takes 5-10 years to bear fruit? Yet we seem to expect so much more of ourselves.

In terms of that elusive job or special professional niche ‘hold in there’. An education is an education for life and while the benefits of a tertiary education are long-term (and may arrive in an unhurried way) they are also unparalleled.

Like you, I undertook a degree as a mature age student. It has taken me another ten years and postgrad studies to sort out what is right in terms of career/job/work and what I am meant to be doing (if there is such a thing).

Some people seem to come into this world knowing their vocation. Others–like me–find it a real struggle. But there is wisdom to be gained from the struggle and many pots of gold which serendipitously line the unplanned path.

And just think, every issue you are currently dealing with will enable you to perform that job/role/business venture with greater strength, determination, compassion, empathy and higher-self intelligence.

This kind of success was all about brand and label clothes, fashionably expensive shoes, a high profile job (working for someone extremely important), driving an European car, an apartment in St Kilda … oh and of course the designer-thin body to match. Ironically none of them ever really fitted and all of them I wore rather poorly.

When success is so outwardly located, so flimsy a garment, it becomes increasingly transparent and progressively revealing – and not only to others.

Fifteen years on I feel moderately and modestly unsuccessful and I’m loving it! My inner world now bears more weight and carries far more importance than any temporary or externally achieved things (though these are nice little flag-posts which mark certain points of destination along my journey).

And by the way, I drive a Holden, earn less than I did in 1996, shop for comfort and style rather than fashion, have an amazing husband who loves me unconditionally, and work for one of the most important people in my world … me!

You guys that share on these blogs are amazing! May conscious success shine upon you all.

I have been thinking about issue this a lot lately. I completed a degree over 7 years; I really thought that as a mature age student with plenty of practical experience it would be fairly easy to get myself into a job that not only allowed me to do things I enjoy (like teaching about health and fitness) I might even start earning more money. Five years and many detours on, I’m still looking for that elusive wonderful new job. I’m beginning to think I have more ‘issues’ than before I did the degree. It’s not the outcome I was looking for. I am working through things – now with the help of a psychologist – and starting to have a more cogent idea of where I can head next, but it’s taking so much longer than I ever thought possible.

Anyway I enjoyed your post. Thanks.

I have lived a lifetime of destination fraud.. love it., was so true but in truth we never get there.. wherever that may be.