Years and years ago when I was fresh out of school and started my search for a job/career, I would literally spend hours each day sending my resume everywhere. Regardless of wage, benefits, part-time, contract, hours, location none of that mattered to me, as I was desperate and willing to settle for anything.
However as the years went on and I started to look for a new job, I became much more choosy per-say, because my circumstances in life made my mindset totally different. I already had a job in a good location, seniority, benefits, pension, a decent wage the whole shebang.
Things that were not a priority as a babyface young man not yet established or knowing his value such as wages, benefits, location were now very important to me. And if a position that caught my eye was not offering what I desired - well I knew my value and what I offered would not even apply or dare I say settle for less than I knew I deserved.
And there is a correlation in another area in my life, as I have the same mindset when it comes to dating and relationships. When I was younger, less experience, seeking validation, not knowing my value and well unwise to say the least. I settled and accepted anything as long as she was attractive, areas such as morals, character, religion, future goals etc. were just an afterthought.
However as the years went on, and the seeds of wisdom grow and you see the error in your thought process and learn to fix them you evolve. I've worked hard and built a life for myself that I never thought was possible, I had to learn the hard way over and over again in many areas, dealt with countless disappointments but thankfully I did. I know my value and what I offer and I'm not just going to throw my pearls before swine so to speak. It was not an easy process at all to evolve the way I did but I am truly thankful.