Unless you’ve been living under a rock somewhere in the Himalayas, you’ve likely heard that General Motors made history by naming Mary Barra as its CEO—the first woman ever to lead a major global car manufacturer.
In a celebratory interview with ABC News following GM’s sweep at the Detroit Auto Show (winning both Car and Truck of the Year), Barra shared a golden nugget of career wisdom that deserves repeating:
“I always approached each job like it was the one that I would do for the rest of my life.”
Let that sink in.
At a time when many professionals are constantly scanning the horizon for their “next move,” here’s someone at the very top reminding us of a timeless truth: Be fully present. Do your best work right now. The future has a funny way of revealing itself when you’re giving your all to the task in front of you.
The Power of Showing Up Fully
Barra didn’t race her way to the top—she earned it, job by job, over the course of 30 years at GM. Her mindset wasn’t about climbing the ladder faster; it was about owning the role she was in, no matter how small or large.
And it paid off—big time.
People Are Staying Longer Than You Think
Interestingly, while it may feel like job-hopping is the norm, the data tells a different story. According to a report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (via CBS Marketwatch), workers today are actually less likely to change jobs than they were in the 1980s.
Read the report here.
Whether that’s due to economic caution or a renewed sense of loyalty is up for debate—but the takeaway remains: commitment still counts.
Bottom Line?
Keep showing up. Keep giving your best. And when things feel stagnant? Try a new approach. Shift your mindset. Tweak your strategy.
Sometimes the breakthrough comes not from the next job—but from a fresh take on the one you’re already in.
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