Searching for blogs with career/passion content, I stumbled across a blogger I like and a tool that is pretty darn cool!
Your Audience is "Everyone"? Seriously?
What P:IDWIL is About Fixing
I think most anyone who has ever read Ms. Johnston's comic strip "For Better or For Worse" can agree that its humor is in its truth. This one struck me as very IDWIL-esque when I saw it this morning, so I thought I would share. Not every post needs to be a long writing assignment - this is just one of those mosaic pieces that fits perfectly into the bigger Project:IDWIL image that is continually being formed.
Hopefully one day, a comment like John's will be the exception, and not the norm.
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Remember that one kid back in school...?
The kid I am talking about is the one you or I knew who, in high school or earlier, already knew what s/he “wanted to do when they grew up.” Okay, so maybe there is more than just one kid that fits this description, but the point is that they are severely outnumbered by the others - the rest of us.
Although I brought the subject up, when I think back to high school, I can’t recall a specific person who illustrated this notion, but I know that there were at least a couple that did. If I am going to be completely honest, I probably would have labelled him/her in my head as ‘dorks’ or ‘snobby’ or ‘uptight’ - which is kind of funny because I can easily describe myself with 2 out of 3 of these labels. (I let you try to figure out which 2!) Looking back now, I am envious. (Except for the ones whose parents had a plan for them and they were not to stray from that plan a/la “Center Stage” or “Varsity Blues” or countless other “it’s not my dream, it’s your unfulfilled dream!” movies.) Don’t I feel silly now - those kids that had focus way back then are probably pretty darn successful these days - more importantly, I hope that they are happy and truly get to do what they love.
I’d love for Project:IDWIL to be the seed of a movement in which those kids represent the majority instead of the minority. With Project:IDWIL’s success comes more of these people. By helping kids recognize the things in life that interest them, it not only provides context with regard of how to learn the things that are asked of us to learn, but it also allows them to start exploring and creating their own education. Thus Project:IDWIL’s intent is not to change the existing educational systems in place, but to supplement them so that students/people become more proactive in understanding their motivations. From there, they have, at least, a starting point for a plan to align their passions with their work in life.
**image used via Flickr Creative Commons:seanmichaelragan
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Finding My Tribe
Today, I was fortunate enough to sit in on a speaking engagement by Bob Chapman, CEO of Barry-Wehmiller. As he spoke about Truly Human Leadership and creating a work environment in which the organization’s main focus is in developing healthy and fulfilled people - whether it be the customers or the employees, I couldn’t help but think back to about 4 years ago.
Back then, I was in a weird spot regarding my employment. My work is contractual and at the time, the contract I was working under was being cancelled. However, this kind of thing is not open and shut. There had to be loose ends tied up on the project. This ultimately meant that I was expected to either show up to work but not have anything to work on or use up my built up comprehensive leave as needed. Either way there had to be some networking to be done in order to have somewhere to go once those loose ends were tied up.
So I started looking for jobs. I was old/experienced enough, however, to view my task differently. I wanted to work somewhere the was in my element. When I applied for jobs, I wanted to interview them, not the other way around. I distinctly remember filling out applications or writing cover letters that stated that “I was looking for my tribe” or that I was confident that I could perform any needed tasks and could learn any new skills needed as long as I was in an environment that was aligned with my own passions, hopes, and beliefs.
I received word from my current employer that a contract had opened up if I wanted to start soon (and remain with the current company; I would also retain my current salary). There really was no decision. Though this opportunity was to be a temporary employment, I needed to take it.
I don’t think that it was clear at the time that this was my tribe, but that temporary (3 month) contract has continually been extended, and I have been here for over 3 years. More importantly, I have been exposed to some of the most inspirational people and thinkers than I could have ever imagined. Although this still doesn’t feel like ‘my tribe,’ it is definitely close; for now, it has affirmed that finding “the right place for me” is exponentially better than pulling in a big salary at the cost of time away from the ones you love and at the cost of your happiness. In fact, more than likely, being in one’s element will most likely bring spiritual contentment and the salary one desires in the long run.
image by DIAC Images via flickr creative commons
If you enjoy these blog posts, support what +Project:IDWIL is about, or even just know Jake, please use the tools/icons in the top right of the page to Add this to your circles; Subscribe to the blog; Like Project:IDWIL on Facebook; Follow @ProjectIDWIL on Twitter; Follow on Pinterest