Ah-Ha Moment

I had an ‘Ah-Ha’ moment last week with regard to my career path.  I have held my fist to forehead, winnie-the-pooh style, and meditated off and on What It Is I Want To Do For The Rest of My Life.  Instead of thinking titles, I thought about characteristics:

  • Incorporates travel. To be clear, I do not want to spend my waking hours racheting frequent flier miles and sitting in conference rooms which all look the same the world over.  I want to spend a significant chunk of time wherever I go really engaging the people there, leaving an impression on the people as they leave an impression on me.
  • Project-oriented. Having worked a number of jobs before, I can tell you that I want something that will genuinely be different day-to-day.  And by that, I don’t mean, check my voicemail before my email this morning or type in MS Word today instead of Excel.  Is my ass still in a chair for 8 - 10 hours?  Are my main forms of communication to the outside world via a keyboard and monitor?  Am I still a victim of Secretary Butt? Then this job is too monotonous.  I need something that negates a sterile office setting - no matter how disguised. 
    • I think Point 2B) should be ability to create my own schedule.
  • People-oriented. In a previous life, I used to want to be an academic professor.  After working and interacting with people all day, however, I realized I could never steal myself away for hours at a time amongst books and quietude.  I need to be around, interact with, and inspired by others.  I am too social
  • Meaningful Contribution to Society. I want to stand behind and be proud of what I do or believe that my small participation will lead to bigger and better things for humanity.  No widget making.

While I think I have the Ideal Job in mind, I am not ready to disclose it to the Universe.  I am doing a little bit more homework on it over the next few weeks - looking at it from all angles, etc. before secreting it out officially.  I am in puppy love with this idea and sometimes words kill the buzz of emotions so electric.  I am in the are we / aren’t we dating phase of this job hunt and there’s no rush to start the ring shopping just yet.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008   ()