Leap and the net will appear…
After an exhaustive recent job search, I decided to start driving my life and career rather than letting life or circumstance do it for or to me. The step to join Remote Year this summer was an added layer to gain personal control. A dear friend and former colleague, David Hance forwarded a Facebook link for the program back in March. Initially I thought it was the same as the 100 IT jobs available in New Zealand contest circulating on the interwebs. Since I was in serious application mode, I thought it would fun. I had always enjoyed the global aspect of my previous positions (maybe it was the best part); it looked like a good fit. The application was concise, easy and I hit enter… that was it. It was a fun diversion… Oh, and then they called back.. Wow..
This is a clear cut case of watch-what-you-ask-for-you-just-might-get-it… Now it was time to actually do something about it. This was my opportunity and it presented itself in a much different package than I expected. Punt !
Here’s the ah-ha moment: There is an amazing power in allowing yourself to be open to options. Give yourself permission to go outside your immediate view. You are not the sum of your resume. The chronology of your work experience does tell a great story of skill, capability and happenstance. Yet it never fully reflects your potential. I am now a converted zealot to Liz Ryan’s Reinvention Roadmap. The work Liz outlines is a ‘must do’ for anyone struggling with their purpose or looking for a job change. She very carefully and prescriptively outlines how to identify your passion (Note: splurge and get the hard copy, you will want to do the exercises) Coupled with Julia Cameron’s It’s Never Too Late to Begin Again and Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, you are now fully armed to step into your next best work version of you. This might all sound too New Age-y for most, be assured.. it isn’t. These resources will ground you in the why and how of change, work and creativity. Change is a scary premise especially if you need to find work immediately. Through this exercise you will identify how to get a job and then in a parallel effort, how to more effectively manage your career so you can drive it. For those of us who have experienced the lay-off, it is not fun. It is a soul crushing, mind numbing event. It may leave you despondent, depressed and financially challenged. Do not despair, you are not alone and this is not something to be ashamed. It is a sad symptom of today’s corporate American compact with the worker. This is the time to focus on you and your resiliency capacity. To quote the great philosopher band of the 90’s Chumbawamba… I get knocked down, but I get up again… You’re never gonna keep me down.
In my personal game of Chutes and Ladders, Iay-off is the big, nasty chute. Special side note: when you go down any chute, hold your hands high, wear a tiara and enjoy the ride. The landing is a beast of a thud. It was like landing in Oz for me and I think I am learning to like the view more. Doors are opening, I have discovered the gig economy; landing a series of engagements that allow me to decide how I drive my time, energy, creativity and fuel my travel. Like the Wizard of Oz, my life is suddenly in Technicolor far away from the austere black and white before the tornado hit. It wasn’t where I thought I was going, but I’m damn glad I ended up here. Is it permanent? Probably not, but that’s the new world order of work. I will take as it comes and thoroughly enjoy this summer.
Make sure you have some fun this summer!
End Notes:
Leap and net will appear… The first time I saw this quote was on a refrigerator magnet in Boulder, CO. It was attributed to a Czech proverb. Since then I’ve seen citation given to James Burroughs and Julia Cameron. It’s one of my top 10 quotes for inspiration, which also includes Churchill’s..When walking though hell, keep going… there is definitely an overarching theme here worthy of a Pintrest board and snappy graphics.
Chumbawamba.. I actually owned the Tubthumper CD and used to torture my daughter while driving in a suburban Atlanta school carpool. The band dissolved in 2012. It is always on my Make It Happen playlist regardless of medium.
Chutes and Ladders.. the link offers some interesting insight. I used to play this physical game for hours growing up in Gerard Russo’s garage. His mother allowed us to play board games in the summer when it was raining. She also made great lemonade. This is when kids played all summer long and caught lightening bugs in jars for entertainment.
