My Life at 30: Stuck and Struggling
“How One Unexpected Opportunity Turned My Life Around”
by Bob Savar, Millennial Financial Times
As publisher of “The Millennial Financial Times,” a weekly newsletter providing millennials with the most impactful news of the week, distilled to deepen their understanding of the world and save them time, I spend many hours each week interviewing millennials so I can learn what is important to them.
After interviewing them, I ask them to write a story or share how they accomplished something that would be useful to others. I ask them not to hide their vulnerability but to be completely transparent.
Here is a story written by one of the millennials I interviewed. At 30, this young man was stuck in a cycle of dead-end jobs and mounting debt until a chance encounter with a tech entrepreneur changed his life. With his mentor’s guidance and support, the young man found the courage to pursue his true potential, but his story raises a bigger question: why does it take luck and not opportunity for so many millennials to find success?
At 30 years old, I found myself living in the same bedroom I grew up in, surrounded by the same posters of Michael Jordan and Bulls memorabilia that had been there since high school. Living at home wasn’t what I had envisioned after graduating from college, but it was my reality. The suburbs of Chicago offered little in terms of affordable housing, and with student loans looming over my head, I was forced to make ends meet by working two jobs.
By day, I worked as a clerk in a small insurance office — a soul-crushing job that barely paid above minimum wage. By night, I traded my dress shirt for a waiter’s apron at a high-end restaurant in downtown Chicago. The hustle was grueling, the hours were long, and there were days when I wondered if this was all life had to offer me.
I was exhausted, mentally and physically. My degree felt like a joke, a framed piece of paper that hadn’t led me to the promised land of a successful career. Instead, I was drowning in debt, stuck in a cycle that felt impossible to break. My confidence was at an all-time low, and I was beginning to lose hope.
A Chance Encounter
One evening, while I was working the dinner shift at the restaurant, a man came in who would change my life forever. Henry Morgan was the founder of a successful tech company, and he radiated the kind of confidence and success I could only dream of. He was a regular at the restaurant, and I had served him a few times before, but on this particular night, something changed.
We got to talking — nothing deep, just small talk about the weather, Chicago traffic, and how the Bulls were doing. But something about me must have caught his attention. As I refilled his glass, he asked me what I really wanted to do with my life. I didn’t hold back. I told him everything — the dead-end jobs, the mounting debt, the frustration of feeling stuck.
Henry listened intently, and then, out of nowhere, he handed me his business card. “Come by my office tomorrow,” he said. “I might have something for you.”
Taking a Leap of Faith
The next day, I was nervous as hell walking into Henry’s office. I had no idea what to expect. I had no business experience, no connections, and nothing to offer except a willingness to work hard. But Henry saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. He offered me a job doing clerical work at his company — nothing glamorous, just organizing files, answering phones, and managing schedules. But it was a start.
The real game-changer was when Henry told me he would pay for me to take night classes in entrepreneurship at a local college. He said that he believed in investing in people who showed potential, even if they didn’t have the traditional credentials.
Learning to Fly
The classes were incredible. For the first time in years, I felt excited about learning. I soaked up everything I could about business, marketing, and management. The entrepreneurial mindset was like a breath of fresh air, teaching me to think differently and to see opportunities where others saw obstacles.
The more I learned, the more I applied those lessons to my work at Henry’s company. I started taking on more responsibilities and offering suggestions on projects, and eventually, I was entrusted with leading a small team. My confidence grew with each new challenge, and for the first time in a long time, I felt like I was in control of my life.
Vulnerability and the Road Ahead
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. There were nights when I doubted myself when the fear of failure crept back in. I questioned whether I was good enough and whether I deserved the opportunities that had been handed to me. Imposter syndrome became a frequent, unwelcome guest in my mind.
But I pushed through. I kept showing up, kept learning, and kept trying. Henry became a mentor to me, guiding me through the ups and downs of business and life. His belief in me was unwavering, and slowly, I began to believe in myself, too.
Breaking the Mold
Looking back, I realize how lucky I was to have met Henry. But I also know that luck wasn’t the only factor. It was about being open to opportunities, even when they seemed out of reach. It was about being vulnerable enough to admit my struggles and brave enough to take a leap of faith when the chance presented itself.
In a world where the odds often feel stacked against young people, where success stories are rare and financial stability seems like a distant dream, my story is a reminder that sometimes, all it takes is one person to see your potential. One chance encounter can change everything.
I’m not where I want to be yet, but I’m on my way. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the road to success isn’t a straight line. It’s filled with detours, setbacks, and surprises. But it’s a journey worth taking, especially when you find someone who believes in you, even when you don’t believe in yourself.
The Controversy: Are We Doing Enough for Our Generation?
As I look at the broader picture, I can’t help but feel anger and frustration for my peers. Why did it take a random encounter with a wealthy entrepreneur to set me on a path to success? Why are so many of us struggling, stuck in jobs that don’t utilize our skills or passions? The system is broken, and we deserve better.
Millennials are often criticized for being lazy or entitled, but the truth is, we’ve been dealt a tough hand. We’re working harder than ever, but the rewards are few and far between. The opportunities for upward mobility are scarce, and the pressure to succeed is immense. It shouldn’t be this hard to make a living, to find a job that pays the bills and allows us to live a decent life.
My story is a rare one, and it shouldn’t be. We need more Henry Morgans in the world — people willing to invest in the potential of others. However, we also need systemic change to ensure that everyone has the chance to succeed, not just those lucky enough to meet the right person at the right time.
Conclusion
This is my story, and I hope it resonates with you. It’s a story of struggle, of perseverance, of finding hope in the most unexpected places. It’s also a story that raises important questions about the world we live in and the challenges our generation faces. I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given, but I know that many others are still waiting for their break. It’s time we start making those opportunities more accessible to everyone.
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