Work, success, and meaning at every stage of your career
In the 1950s, we imagined a future where robots and machines did all the work for us; we would only need to push a few buttons every few minutes, and watch as tasks accomplished themselves. We’re not quite there yet, but we certainly can accomplish a tremendous amount of work by pushing a few buttons.
Most of us leave home every day to go to work. Physically, that is. Metaphorically, we carry our home with us all day. If your home life is in shambles, it’s hard to remain calm and focused on the job. Your
Gardening, home improvement, and crafts, of course. We still take on work for pleasure, of course, which is the definition of a hobby. Sometimes, we even monetize our hobby; Etsy is exhibit A. But for the most part, a hobby is something you do for love, regardless of how skilled you happen to be. But does what you do for fun matter to your career?
Yoda is a great career coach. In perhaps his most famous scene, he commands Luke Skywalker, fledgling Jedi, to raise a spaceship with his mind. Reluctantly, Luke agrees to “try.” “No,” interjects Yoda sternly. “Do. Or do not. There is no try.”
Workers are creating their own jobs through consulting or contract work while waiting for a full time job to appear, and in some case, as a permanent solution.
Here’s my best advice on what’s next: you don’t need a job. You need three jobs.
It’s graduate time, and thousands of young graduates will be entering the market looking for their first “real” job. Many of them (and their parents) find this time to be filled with anxiety. Will I be competitive? Will I get a job that inspires me (and pays the bills)? Will I make enough to move out on my own and start the life I’ve always dreamed of?
My best advice: relax.
Paul Tieger’s book Do What You Are is my favorite career coaching book. This infographic is courtesy of Business Insider.
Your energy level is part of your personal brand, along with your appearance and confidence. If you could find a fix that improved your posture, amped up your energy level, made your confidence skyrocket and took years off your appearance, would you buy it? Maybe? What if it were free? Heck yes – sign me up.
Hwang uses the metaphor of the rainforest to talk about innovation and creativity, and he starts by comparing it to the plantation, where crops are raised like a business.
