The Simplest Way to Build A Fulfilling Career

However, simple doesn’t necessarily mean easy.

John Gorman
6 min readJul 21, 2023
Photo by Lindsay Henwood on Unsplash

I sat down with a fresh-faced MBA candidate this afternoon, over Zoom, on another ridiculously hot day here in Austin.

It’s not uncommon for the leaders — or, middle managers, at least — of tomorrow to request 30 minutes of face time with “senior” “professionals” to “pick their brain,” and I often try to make myself available to shape the way these kids (can I say kids? are 22 year-olds “kids”?) … ahem, young adults see themselves and their greater role in society for the next few decades.

Or, at least for the afternoon.

He asked me your garden-variety “brain-picking” questions, like “What do you do?” “How did you get started in your career?” “What did you want to be when you were in college?”

I entertained them all, but I really wanted to know what drove this young man. I wanted to know why he chose his field of study, his career path, and this company. His answers were as dull as a rusty spoon. I suspect mine were at that age, too.

Regardless, after nearly 20 years in the professional world, I felt equipped to give him some advice. Now, I’m going give that same advice to you — and hopefully make navigating a career as simple as possible for you.

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John Gorman

Yarn Spinner + Brand Builder + Renegade. Award-winning storyteller with several million served. For inquiries: johngormanwriter@gmail.com