Candace Bushnell knows what’s up when it comes to navigating the career of your dreams. The 63-year-old author is a New York Times bestseller, thanks to her iconic essay collection, Sex and the City, which was adapted into the beloved show of the same name. The show — a pop-culture phenomenon — has gone on to spawn movies and spinoffs from The Carrie Diaries to And Just Like That… Reflecting on her career journey, Bushnell recently revealed some useful advice that’s helped her carve out her path.
In a new interview with E! News, she opened up about her new one-woman Sex and the City-inspired show and shared some wise career advice for the younger generation.
Related: Why getting a mentor will make your career this year.
“Your career is a relationship you have with yourself,” she said. “There are ups and downs and it’s a commitment. It’s just like every relationship. It’s about making a commitment.”
“Now, not everybody wants to make a commitment to their career, and that’s fine,” she added. “But that’s really what it’s about.”
Thinking about a career in terms of a relationship is a great way to think about your job. Is your manager acting like a toxic ex? You wouldn’t let your partner treat you poorly, so it might be time to break up with them for a better job. Is your job not something you’re passionate about? Time to find a gig that sparks joy in your life. Are you committed to a job that’s not committing to you by offering growth and development? Relationships are a two-way street, so it might be worth assessing if you’re investing more into a job than you’re getting out of it.
We’ll definitely be thinking about Bushnell’s advice the next time we start interviewing for our dream jobs.
