We need 40,000h or maybe even 20,000h

I’m a great admirer of the 80000hours initiative, ever since I’ve learned about it. And that’s the thing, I was introduced to EA and 80kh relatively late in my life imo. I’m not a student, graduate, or even junior in the field. I’m two decades older senior-level employee without a chance to switch to an impactful career.

I’ve learned about EA 3 years ago, it took me 2 years to stop fantasizing that there is anything I can do with my career path so my “last resort” was earning to give program. I took the pledge last year and almost immediately felt the pressure to not go down with my salary but to make it as high as possible. There are million other factors at stake, personal and professional, and I need to say it, I feel completely lost at times. I only know I need to move forward, but I can get so critical about my decisions that it paralyzes me.

Am I the only one? I’m sure there are other people in a similar situation. Mature in age and career, that found EA/​80kh too late to adjust life road and struggle in being efficient and impactful.

There is great wisdom in onboarding young people and preventing them from similar struggles later in their life. But there is also untapped potential in mid-life and senior members of the community who are not politicians, researchers, scientists, economists, or entrepreneurs and still want to pitch in. Their, our salaries are probably much higher than when we started, and we might have a bit more influence on our positions. And yes, we still need guidance. I need guidance.

So I wanted to challenge this idea today. 40000hours sounds great. 20000hours sounds even better. I realize that it’s much harder to advise senior employees, but the gain might be much higher and more immediate at the start. Worth considering I think.