Snot What It Seems
Hi Guys. Sorry I’ve been a little less than prolific on the writing front lately – I’ve been smashed with (a version of) the flu. As I type this I am sliding into day four of sneezing, snot (sorry if you’re eating), headaches, aching teeth (left side), night sweats and general physical exhaustion. Which, of course, all makes for some very creative and inspirational writing.
Not.
I tried to write something over the last two days but I couldn’t hear my creative self over the top of my pounding head. It’s also hard to type and sleep on the keyboard at the same time.
I’m back to about fifty percent today so if my writing is only half as good as normal, you know why. 
Anyhoozle…
Last week I was coaching a young lady (23) and we found ourselves talking about her future – as is often the case. We were chatting about where she wanted to be a year from now in regards to the various areas of her life (career, relationships, health, finances, etc.). We hit a road block when it came to her career. While she is sure she doesn’t want to be “doing the same thing” (her current job) a year from now, she is (was) somewhat stressed about identifying – with any level of clarity and certainty – exactly what it is she “should be doing”.
When I suggested that she need not put herself under such pressure and that maybe she could spend some time researching, exploring, investigating, asking questions, talking to people in different fields and educating her self about other possible careers, industries and professions, she was visibly relieved. It seemed like a good idea to her. I suggested that it wasn’t necessary to have the next fifty years of her working life mapped out by this Friday. The news that (when it comes to career) many people (yes, even old people) are constantly assessing, re-assessing and exploring other options came as a surprise to her.
Qualified (for) but not Passionate (about)
It’s true that sometimes the idea of a certain career doesn’t equate to the reality of it; which is why many people study for years only to discover that their field of expertise and qualification is neither their passion or their future. We all know people who have spent years gaining a degree only to work in a totally unrelated field at the completion of their studies. And that’s okay too. When it comes to careers, there’s no universal right or wrong – only right or wrong for us individually.
A Chill Pill
I’m always amazed when twenty year-olds are anxious and worried because they haven’t figured out the next forty years of their career with absolute certainty. Geeze Louise, chillax will ya? While it’s important that we do (ultimately) find some clarity and direction, it’s also okay to figure it out as we go. It’s also okay to change our mind, learn new things and be stimulated, challenged and fulfilled by different things at different stages of our evolution. What’s to say that your ‘ideal’ career at twenty will float your boat at forty? Or maybe even, at twenty-five?
While I loved training thousands of people every year (as a trainer on the gym floor) back in the day, I’m really glad I don’t do it any more. I’m also aware that my experiences as a trainer, gym owner, conditioning coach and even as a bouncer have, in many ways, shaped me and prepared me to do what I do now. How could I stand in front of audiences and speak with any authority if the only thing I’d ever done was… speak in front of audiences?
A Use-by Date for Jobs
It’s my belief that, for many of us, certain jobs and projects have a use-by date. That is, a time when that particular role doesn’t ‘do it for us’ on an emotional, creative, intellectual, social or personal-growth level. Of course, there will always be times and circumstances where we are bound financially and practically to stay in a less-than-desirable situation (for a period of time) but, even then, it’s possible for us to explore options, ask questions, learn new things and open doors before we make any life or career-changing decisions.
Of course, some people will discover what they want to do at a young age and subsequently be fulfilled, stimulated and happy for the next fifty years. But let’s be honest, they are a very small minority. Most of us will have many jobs, often in a wide range of fields and that’s okay. Normal even. My career has incorporated everything from bouncing in pubs to lecturing at university, working in the media, building my own company and employing hundreds of people. And while I have no desire to be punched in the head for twelve dollars per hour these days, at the time, working in security served a purpose and taught me much about people. As did teaching young adults at college. As did working in my parents’ hardware store when I was a kid.
Never Too Late
Even though there are certain practical and financial limitations which mean we can’t all jump in and out of jobs at will, the great news is that there are many (many, many) people who have “found their purpose” after ten, twenty and even thirty years of surviving a series of crap jobs in crap environments. I didn’t really start writing (prolifically) until I was thirty-six. At that point I had zero training, experience or even understanding of what it took to be a successful writer. Still don’t. I wrote a few articles for a newspaper and decided that writing would be (part of) my future because I loved it and it forced me to develop and learn along the way.
My father started painting professionally at sixty-five after fifty (or so) years of farting around with it (on the side) and not exploiting or exploring his considerable talent. It’s his passion and his gift and he now consistently produces amazing work that people line up to buy.
Being as we spend so much of our lives working, it’s always been my philosophy that we should probably do something we actually enjoy – possibly even love. Call me crazy. Now, of course, I’m not suggesting we all walk in to the boss and resign today and if, per chance, you love your current job, then congrats and stop reading now!
What I am suggesting is that for those of us who don’t enjoy our career then maybe it’s time to ask some better questions. To have some different conversations with different people. To do some research. To study. To get uncomfortable. To take a chance. To find solutions, not problems and to imagine what could be rather than regret and resent what is.
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Ahhh the age old question when choosing a career. Choose Passion or Salary when picking a career?
First time commentor. Felt I could add something here. The three things I always tell my clients that are looking for a career change:
1. Know Yourself.
2. Know Your Options.
3. Make a High-Quality Decision.
i have tried several careers and sometimes you just have to take the leap of faith. then work very hard at it.
Perhaps you could write a follow up article on overcoming fears associated with career change. This is the main reason I stay where I am. Something is stopping me. I cannot find support from those around me. Maybe I need to contact a professional to get me through my fears.
Love my career just wish it paid more. I’m paid to over analysis
Seriously!
A timely post once again. I’ve been feeling the same way as your client for ages. I’ve been doing sales/admin for the past 12 yrs – same job, same company, mostly the same people. It doesn’t challenge me any more. Every time i look through the papers my eyes are drawn to what i know. I’m not going for them because i know i don’t want “more of the same”. I’m currently doing a course in reflexology. I’ve had it done myself and loved it. I’ve chatted about it too. Feel i’m onto a winner
Your last paragraph sums it up well.
If you don’t have the experience, certification or training to do what you want, go back to school! Having an education just increases your career value so what do you have to lose?
Maree
One of your previous posts helped me to change my career. I cannot remember the name of the post. You said something like. “Imagine yourself living your ideal life in ten years time, what would your life be like? Would you be happy? Etc. I did not like what I saw in ten years time so I made some significant changes and am now working towards my dream. Thank You Craig.
[...] Your Career: Love, Hate or Tolerate it? [...]
Oh Craig … why did you have to write that?
And why did I read it?!!!!
Everyone has added such knowledgable comments, I can add nothing of value … I still don’t know what I want to do when I grow up!!
I’m probably in the “tolerate” category.
I like what I do, I just don’t always like the circumstances under which I sometimes have to do it. And it is nearing the end of its life. It’s paid my bills for about 12 years … and I’m only 30.
Since a small person has been in my life … all that career stuff doesn’t matter anymore. I want something I enjoy, and am happy to do … AND will pay for the house.
Geez, I don’t want much!!!
Yep … thanks a bunch Craig (insert sarcasm here!!!).
Em
( ) x
[...] Your Career: Love, Hate or Tolerate it? [...]
@Pat
Wonderful post Craig. I read somewhere that surveys show that it is not uncommon for people to mull over the possibility of changing aspects of their working life for up to three years before they actually do something. Most of the time, it is not a fear about the change, but a lack of clarity about where we are heading and what we should do.
It would help if the schools systems would stop pressuring teenagers to pick a career. It’s completely archaic and sadistic to tell a 16 year old that if they don’t pick what they want to do for the rest of their lives by the time they are 17, they will be a complete failure for the rest of their life. That’s why us 20-somethings are so bent out of shape.
Most teenagers don’t know how frigging crazy that notion is, so my experience with “career counselling” in high school was absolutely terrifying. My advice? Tell the teens and children in your life exactly what you just wrote, Craig! Life is about change and Generation Y and Z will probably never choose be in a crappy job for more than 5 years. Get with the times!
Glad to hear you are feeling a little bit better Craig. Great post.
get well craig.
tracy
Its a hard thing to figure out. When I completed yr12 I KNEW I wanted to be a chef. I did all the training, began working and didnt enjoy it at all. It couldve been where I was employed, but it tarnished the idea for me. I put it on the backburner and just did ‘jobs’. All kinds.
Ive ended up years later in Payroll and Admin and I have no idea really how I got here! Its quite scarey.
I acknowledge Im working here now to keep things going until my kids are in school, but in the meanwhile Im studying again.
I realised I still love food (heh, who doesnt), but in a more informative / less fatty restaurant food / more healthy living approach kinda way. Im now studying nutrition, and am looking into the sports nutrition/training side of things also (another love). Its an area which is sadly lacking in my regional area, so Im looking to fill a big gap!
Its hard to get time to study, but Im thinking of the future and a more family friendly approach to career in something I enjoy and learning about doesnt feel like hard work.
Hope this finds you feeling much better, and less likely to explode in the brain region.
I always wonder about the use of snot (for want of a better word) as an alternative fuel source when I have a cold (or the kids)………but maybe thats just me ;o)
Love this Craig! Well structured thoughts on changing careers. Hope you feel better
During my 27 years of working life I’ve had three different careers and it was only at 41 (three years ago) that I finally created the one that will see me out until retirement.
Up until this point in time the whole career thing was causing enormous anxiety and even some shame. I remember feeling like a career failure/freak/loser because I felt I had wasted all my time in low-level/dead-end/ brain-dead jobs. I also felt that the lack of career path was due to changing jobs too frequently which in my mind equated to no employee credibility, no skills, no staying power etc etc [insert anything else negative here]. The whole entire woeful situation was then exacerbated by a chronic health condition which meant I could no longer work full-time.
While all this was occurring I was watching my peers’ careers (and income) soar. [Insert little green monsters here].
My initial reaction was depression/self-pity/jealousy fuelled by inner self talk like ‘it’s not fair’ … ‘why me’ … ‘you’re too old now to recover this’? And let me just say, it wasn’t pretty being in this or around it!
I’m pleased to say that on this occasion being a Type-A personality actually worked in my favour. I figured I could either get another really lousy job that I hated and continue feeling sorry for myself, or do something about it.
Taking stock was the first step. The second was signing up for postgraduate studies. I loved it, committed to it, excelled at it … registered a business name, and found a niche in an industry I really enjoy. I now work the hours that suit (and can manage) on the days I choose. I work as a contractor and with hindsight can see that my personality, skill set and nature are much better suited to this then to ‘employee’. Probably always have been. I don’t need to change jobs frequently any more because contracting affords the diversity that a job never will.
At the three-year point I now have three regular paid freelance gigs, a couple of voluntary ones, and half a dozen clients who pay me for my expertise and skills. Yes, expertise and skill! Ironically [or perhaps not] my skill and expertise comes from and through every single job/role/position held during my three different careers spanning almost three decades.
Oh, and about the postgraduate study. I’m not using it specifically but the level of critical and conceptual thinking required to complete it, the level of discipline it entailed, means it informs/instructs/guides and is embedded in every single piece of client or freelance work undertaken.
I highly recommend breaking the chains that bind. A tortured career means a lot of unhappy time on your hands. So if you don’t love what you do, get out there and find something to do that you love.
And if you ever need to hire a Professional Writer on a freelance or contract basis, here’s my email address: phailstone@researcheditwrite.com.au
Namaste
Wowzer! So many Newbies – a big welcome to all of you. Thanks for coming out of the cyber-shadows and saying hi.
Thanks for sharing your ideas, thoughts, feedback and stories – great stuff…. and Mystery Teacher – you’re a rockstar! Thanks for the honesty, humility and wisdom. Fantastic stuff. I love being able to learn from others and you taught me something today.
Though this might offend some, i’m pro the Dole and Newstart and welfare, if there was not such a thing in Australia to have a job to be seen to be busy, then things might be better. Why? Well having a job might keep one from crime and poverty, not debating that, but to just select a job for the sake of having a job to please society, that to be causes issues. Then you have the parents who want to choose a career for the child.
What gets me is, I’m 44 and was unemployed for just on a year in 2002, though I did study and do a part time job and voluntary work. Yet the same attitudes towards the unemployed existed in 2002 then when school the first time in 1983, I did Year 12 twice. The ‘you can get a job if you really tried’ attitudes are outdated.
If you don’t like your job and career you should be free to move to another career even if you are 60 – employers have a lot to answer to with their narrow minded attitudes.
Hi Craig,
hope you are feeling better soon so you can enjoy the return to summer Melbourne has had.
I have gone from one form of employment to another throught out my life, some I consider a career which was a position/occupation I loved and was passionate about such as chef or bar supervisor. Others were a job, as in I went in and did it pretty much to earn money as I worked out where to next.
Looking back there were similar threads between all my choices, apparently I really need interaction with people, I self-destruct alone in a cubicle and some creativity would be essential.
I am at the looking around stage again and will need to go back to study again to move in the direction I want which I am looking forward to as it has been a while since I stretched my mind.
My father worked 35 years for Telstra, I cannot imagine ever doing the same/similar thing for that length of time.
Thank goodness today there are a lot of options out there if I am brave enough to move out of my comfortable rut and go and explore them.
cheers
WOW, love this stuff! like what you said how can i get up and speak when I have no authority in this matter…
Funny how a this 18 yo (who I thought was at least 28) who attends one of my classes was asking me all about what I do.. when I said to her so what do you want to do? What are you doing she said well I havent worked that out yet.. and well I just ‘smiled ‘ and got the lesson!
Hope you are feeling better soon Craig!
Michael you are SO funny
Hi Craig,
Yup – another timely article. Just wish I knew exactly what it was that I was wanted to do. I am a pod person in an office and it kills me. Have you seen the way some of these people decorate their pods? I mean… if that floats your boat then thats great, who am I to judge?
I am trying to be brave and seek out what’s good for me, even if it is at the disdain of others. Some people really have issue’s when you try and break free, live to your true potential and be happy.
Feel better soon.
x
Hey Craig !
Feel better soon !
Extra big {{{{HUG}}}}
Tina
Hope you’re cured now Craig!
My next career transition will be in 1 year, and I’ve been planning for it for a few years. Since I’ll be 48 at the time of my new launch, this post gave me a lift
It’s funny how you can be a ‘career person’ and then, things change, and you become a ‘family person’ or a ‘world traveller’ or…. ‘an ironman’! I know my priorities have changed in the past few months. I no longer want to be a paramedic. I just want a job that supports my new hobby – ironman triathlon (a rather expensive hobby I may add! One day I’ll have a bike worth more than your bike Craig! OK, so maybe not for a while, if ever!). I just want to travel around the globe, race on different courses, and meet new ironman friends.
Having said that, I think it still is important to me that I enjoy my job/career to some degree. Otherwise I can see self getting bored quickly and hating it I guess.
I think i might just win tattslotto this week and not worry about working. Problem solved.