tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81297354394807668882024-03-12T21:45:55.770-04:00CAREERSkjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15122196887043345981noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129735439480766888.post-26549146582468621602021-06-22T14:26:00.004-04:002021-06-22T14:26:52.595-04:00<p>Whoa! </p><p>After a very long absence I'm here to announce a new publication of my poetry, 36 poems aboutwork and love and everything in between. Expecting book availability through Amazon by mid July. </p><p>I'm happy to show a snippet: </p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><b>Work </b></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Too many people hate or endure their jobs. Since habit and fear are tough taskmasters, here's my two cents on the matter:</i></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Work for pay</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">is not the way</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">to need</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">or lead</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">or heed</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">or plead.</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Work for pay</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">can be ok</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">when you accept,</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">inspect,</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">reject and</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">trek.</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Work for pay</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">you might attest</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">is not the best</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">without the zest,</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">even with the smallest</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">crest.</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">But since you still</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">must pay the bills,</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">plan refills,</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">fuel the tills, </span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">and climb the hills</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">And work you must,</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">avoid the rust,</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">and dust,</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">mistrust and</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">crust.</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Try instead</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">to work for joy</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Use your head</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">and make your bed.</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Don't stay wed</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">when all is said.</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Work and feel</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">keep it real,</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Maybe heal</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Sometimes squeal,</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">and now and then</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">accept the deal.</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">When work and joy</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">combine—oh boy!</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Time put in</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">where there’s a grin,</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">beats the sin</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">of an easy win.</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">So find the path</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Let it last</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Have a blast</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Make it fast</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">And in the doing:</span></p><p>
</p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">The joy is cast.</span></p>kjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15122196887043345981noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129735439480766888.post-5322436046615433052012-04-09T13:38:00.002-04:002012-04-09T13:39:04.566-04:002012!Here I am again after a long absence.<div><br /></div><div>I'm pondering whether to continue this blog. </div><div><br /></div><div>I could.</div><div><br /></div><div>I might.</div><div><br /></div><div>love kj</div>kjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15122196887043345981noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129735439480766888.post-22618797922273897962009-04-08T00:36:00.003-04:002009-04-08T00:40:47.486-04:00Time TravelHello. If you've arrived at this blog looking for me, please come over to my main blog, OPTIONS Associates for a Better World <a href="http://www.karenjasper.blogspot.com/">http://www.karenjasper.blogspot.com/</a>. For some reason blogger has landed you here instead, which is fine if I were actively posting on this site, but I'm not. I am however blabbing freely down the road.kjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15122196887043345981noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129735439480766888.post-5033677680243758122008-12-05T15:54:00.003-05:002008-12-05T16:01:26.876-05:00Well? Is this a Career Blog or Not?<div align="justify">Allow me to apologize. I did not create this blog on Careers with the intention of not tending to it.</div><div align="justify">.</div><div align="justify">It turns out my own career has sidetracked me. In addition to my counseling practice, I have just published my first novel and have begun to pull together all the vocational exploration and job search advice I intended to share here into a second book called <span style="font-size:130%;"><em>Good Work If You Can Get It. </em></span><span style="font-size:100%;">That book will hopefully be available sometime next Spring.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:100%;">.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:100%;">Meanwhile, please feel free to leave any career-related question/s you may have here. I have promised myself to check in more often, and if I can be of help to you in choosing and finding good work, I am happy to offer my two cents for no cents.</span></div>kjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15122196887043345981noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129735439480766888.post-66381868472247418462008-01-28T12:59:00.000-05:002008-01-28T13:01:18.396-05:00A Pause....in the Day's Occupation<div align="justify">Should you be a visitor to this site only to find it has not been updated in far too long, thank you for your patience.</div><div align="justify">.</div><div align="justify">Soon we will be resuming the quiet march toward Good Work.</div><div align="justify">.</div><div align="justify">Most Sincerely,</div><div align="justify">The Management....</div>kjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15122196887043345981noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129735439480766888.post-91229495919258903922007-10-13T14:50:00.000-04:002007-10-23T10:16:17.705-04:00WHOSE ON BOARD?<span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Have you ever wondered <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;"><strong>how you have come to view the world</strong></span>, make decisions, see yourself? How others may influence your decisions and choice of work?<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;"><strong>Nobody lives in a vacuum</strong></span>. Every step we take reverberates to those around us and every choice we make is influenced in some way by those around us. When you’re not aware of the <strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#3333ff;">messages you pick up from others</span></strong>—especially influencial others—you can find yourself going through the motions without knowing why.<br /><br />That is not a good approach for finding joy in life or work. </span></div><br /><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><em>For 15 years, Marsha and Alex have talked about moving to the country and building the house of their dreams. Instead, they continue to rent and probably always will. The reason: Alex’s parents warned him throughout his childhood never to trust, especially the real estate market--that everything he worked for could be snatched away in a single instant.<br /><br />Michael’s influence could not be more different than Alex’s, but it has restricted him in a similar way. When his best friend Teddy unexpectedly died before they were able to take that cross country trip they had planned for years, Michael,decided he would leave his job as a successful attorney and live for the moment. Except he hasn’t been able to figure out what “the moment” should look like. Some of his friends tell him to travel the world; others advise him to grow up and get back to practicing law.<br /><br /></em>Sometimes advice from others helps and clarifies. Other times it harms and confuses. Here’s an exercise that will help you understand who influences you and why….<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff9900;"><strong>Imagine you are the President and CEO of your life.</strong></span> <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;"><strong>Who sits on your Board of Directors?</strong></span> Identify at least three people and up to five who have something to say or some influence over the direction you take and the decisions you make. Your Board Members may be living or dead, young or old, real or imagined. Write the name of each person in the circles below.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121392900437724690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3Q8Y6lzUHTA/RxLXtWnMThI/AAAAAAAABD0/sHu5L_fT-IE/s400/2007-10-14-1250-15_edited.jpg" border="0" />Once you have identified your Board of Directors, <strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">convene a meeting</span></strong>. You have a matter to address, and that matter concerns a question about your career, work, or future plans. </span></p><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">1. <span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff9900;"><strong>Write the Agenda for the board</strong></span> right now:</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Good afternoon, Board Members. <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><span style="color:#ff9900;">The issue before us today is about me.</span></strong></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><span style="color:#ff9900;">Specifically</span></strong>:</span></span></div><br /><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#ff9900;">_______________________________________________</span></p><br /><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#ff9900;">_______________________________________________</span></p><br /><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#ff9900;">______________________________________________</span></p><br /><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#ff9900;">______________________________________________<br /></span><br />2. Next, think about how each member of your board will respond to your question. What will his/her position be? <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>What is each member likely to advise you?</strong></span> </span>Under the name of each person, write a few words that express that person’s advice to you. What does this tell you? Do your Board Members agree with each other? Does their advice reflect the realities of your life today? Does it tell you more about how they see their own situation rather than yours? Are they respectful? Do they believe in you? How do they see the world? Is the advice confusing? Comforting? Uncertain?<br /><br />You will find that <strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;">certain words and phases provide clear clues</span></strong> and helpful themes.<br /><br />Take a look at Ed’s Board. He taught science for 9 years before being promoted to High School Principal. He knows that he does not enjoy his work, even though he is well liked and highly regarded by students, faculty and parents. He easily knows the position of each of his Board Members:<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">Father</span></strong>: Don’t be foolish. You have a job that pays you far more than you could ever earn as a Teacher. You have to be practical. I knew you’d have problems the moment you decided to get married instead of going to medical school.</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">Wife</span></strong>: I just want you to be happy</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#663366;"><strong>Superintendent of Schools</strong></span>: You are a natural leader with a good business sense. I can see you replacing me someday if you stick it out now. </span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong><span style="color:#6666cc;">Sons (twins, age 7)</span></strong>: Let’s Play, Dad. Let’s build rocket ships!</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong><span style="color:#ff6666;">Best Friend Doug</span></strong>: You do all the right things but it seems to be at a high cost. I think you should go back to being a teacher and forget about advancing.<br /><br />Ed is surprised to learn that the people who matter most to him—his wife, his children, and his good friend—do not encourage him to remain in any job where he is unhappy. He is also surprised at the strength and influence of his father’s voice, even though he has been dead for 11 years. </span></p><br /><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">When you look at Ed's Board, here's what they say: </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong><em><span style="color:#33cc00;">don't be foolish, be practical, </span><span style="color:#ff6600;">just be happy</span>, <span style="color:#663366;">natural leader, stick it out,</span> <span style="color:#9999ff;">let's play</span>, </em></strong><span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong><em>high cost, teach. </em></strong></span><span style="color:#333333;">Different opinions: that's no surprise. But who does Ed listen to? And why?</span><br /></span><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">What does your board say? <span style="color:#ff9900;">Who speaks the loudest?</span> Who dominates? <span style="color:#ff9900;">Who do you listen to?</span> Who knows you best? <span style="color:#ff9900;">Who speaks the truth?</span></span><br /><br /></strong></span>Most people who complete this exercise are surprised by what they learn. Take a moment to write down your observations and thoughts about the advice you get from others…..and then, write down the words and phrases ONLY from who knows you best and/or who speaks the truth. This make take a <strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">small act of courage</span></strong> on your part, but filter out the "shoulds" and "oughts" and predictions of gloom and doom. Pass them on by, and then write the advice you know to be true. </span></p><br /><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Your board has spoken....</span></p><p align="justify"><em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Oh, by the way, this is a good time to tell you: the observations and thoughts about the advice you get from others should be brief enough that they can fit in a pie slice. This will be your SECOND pie slice: along with words from the Line of Your Life...</span></em></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">...<span style="color:#000066;">Because next week I will introduce the <strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#993399;">Good Work Circle</span>,</strong> where you will be able to store and learn from the words and phrases that will lead you to the work of your dreams.<br /></span></span></p>kjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15122196887043345981noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129735439480766888.post-20796001559896135762007-10-02T12:39:00.000-04:002007-10-17T11:35:45.885-04:00GOOD WORK--BAD WORK<div align="justify"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#3333ff;">Is your current life, career or circumstance good or bad?</span> </span><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">On the line below, put a ‘star’ somewhere--anywhere--that comes closest to where you fall right now. Don't take too long to think or your mind will step in and your answer will be influenced by what is safe or what is concrete or how things SHOULD be. Instead, just respond as honestly as you can.<br />_________________________________________________</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#ff0000;">Things are bad...... I'm not sure........Things are good<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><em>"I had all those cable networks reporting to me, I had a number of windows in my office and I had all the corporate perks you could possibly imagine, but that wasn't what I was about, so I left."- Geraldine B. Laybourne, resigned as President of cable TV operations for ABC & Walt Disney Co., now with Oxygen<br /><br />I want my identity back. I don't want to be known as the CEO of AOL Time Warner . . . I'm my own person. I have strong moral convictions. I'm not just a suit. I want poetry back in my life. - Gerald Levin, former CEO of AOL Time Warner (the world's largest media company)<br /><br /></em>It doesn't matter what level of fame or fortune you've achieved: I’ve never met anyone who permanently escapes the search for <span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff9900;"><strong>purpose and passion</strong></span>. The fact that you are a human being guarantees that sooner or later you will come to face this issue head on.<br /><br />You might find "it"--those moments when you and everything around you are in allignment with the rest of the universe-- in your spare time, or once a year while on vacation, or if you're really lucky, in your paid work. If the latter, consider yourself very lucky, because most people plod through their jobs for security, money, but not for purpose and passion.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And yet, if it's is so damn important, and it is, why not let yourself believe you can find it in the work of your dreams? </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We're going to call this state</span> <span style="color:#ff9900;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">"GOOD WORK</span>".</strong></span> Here's what it is and isn't:<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#ff9900;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#ff9900;"><strong>Good work is meaningful, enjoyable, interesting, rewarding. </strong></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">And bad work is boring, miserable, meaningless, and depressing.</span></strong> </span><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Before I tell you how most people describe work that they consider to be “good”, what is your own version of good work? Answer the following by writing down words, phrases, sentences—whatever comes to mind:<br /><br /><em><span style="color:#ff9900;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>I know when I’m doing good work when:</strong> </span></span></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><em><span style="color:#ff9900;"><span style="font-size:130%;">______________________________________</span></span></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><em><span style="color:#ff9900;"><span style="font-size:130%;">______________________________________</span></span></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><em><span style="color:#ff9900;"><span style="font-size:130%;">______________________________________</span></span></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><em><span style="color:#ff9900;"><span style="font-size:130%;">______________________________________<br /></span><br /></span></em>How much of this description is present in your current life? </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">If your answer is “very little” or “none”, you should know that it not only doesn’t have to be that way, it is unhealthy for you to keep it that way. <strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#ff9900;">Good work matters.<br /></span></span></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Here’s what good work isn’t. Most research studies confirm that good work <span style="font-size:180%;">does not</span> depend on: </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">your job title, </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">how much money you make, </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">how successful you are, </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">or even what you do. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Assemblers in Detroit and Teachers in Baltimore can experience their work as good, and CEO’s in Boston and Production Supervisors in Louisville can experience their work as bad. At its core, good work is not about prestige or salary or power or benefits. It’s not even about your job duties or tasks or responsibilities.<br /><br />Here's what Good Work IS about. People who are generally happy with their jobs report the following characteristics:<br /><br />· <strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#3333ff;">Time flies:</span></strong> You lose track of time when you are doing good work<br />· <strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff9900;">You are in control:</span></strong> You are able to do a job in a way that feels efficient and </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">respectful<br />· <strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#3333ff;">What you do contributes</span></strong> in some way-- to your well being, to others, to </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">society, to the planet.<br /><br />Differences in income, education and employment tasks bear little relationship to whether or not a person is fulfilled by the work that he or she does.<br /><br />Some work is inherently and obviously bad. There is nothing redeeming about showering rain forests with pesticides or scamming elderly seniors out of their life savings. Fortunately, we have courts and governments and agencies to protect us from the very dark edges of bad work. Unfortunately, we do not have the benefit of such arbitrators when it comes to our individual career choices: you are more or less left to figure out good and bad on your own. And because 80 % of all Americans report that they are unhappy in the work that they do, most of us haven’t done a very good job for ourselves in figuring good from bad.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I encourage you to think about <span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff9900;"><strong>Good Work</strong></span> as a practical and achievable goal. The happier you are in life, the better for everyone around you. People who do bad work often come across as uncaring, incompetent, bitter, short tempered, or fatalistic. And it doesn’t matter if you are a college professor or the person who cleans bathrooms. Put aside your job title or job tasks for a moment and think about how you work</span>.<br /><br />Remember Rule # 1: <strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">You are not what you do. You are how you do it.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;"></span></strong><br /><span style="color:#333333;"><em>Whatever your<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> current situation may be, think about what makes good work good and bad work bad. Then think about how you work. Then be patient, because in the next few months you'll be looking at the work of your dreams.</span></em></span></div>kjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15122196887043345981noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129735439480766888.post-64389727638780845702007-09-29T08:56:00.000-04:002007-09-29T12:50:30.892-04:00WHO ARE YOU & WHY ARE YOU HERE?<div align="justify"><span style="color:#cc33cc;"><strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#993399;"><em>"The unknown is what it is. And to be frightened of it is what sends </em><em>everybody scurrying around chasing dreams, illusions, wars, peace, love, hate, all that . . .Accept that it's unknown, and it's plain sailing."</em> <em><span style="font-size:78%;">John Lennon</span></em></span><br /></span></strong></span><em><br /></em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I remember the first time someone asked me, “What do you do?” I was 23 years old, shyly attending my first dinner party. I knew what the questioner really wanted to know, so I introduced myself as my occupation.<br /><br />Thirty years later, I still used my occupation as the number one description of the person within. Throughout the years, even when I disliked my work or circumstance, I always made the effort to put the best spin possible on my answer to “What do you do?”<br /><br />The problem with side-stepping the real question of who you are is that your true self can get buried beneath the spin and temptation to define yourself through your work. I do not recommend this approach when you look in the mirror. Life is too short to get sidetracked by polite answers and innocuous chatter, especially to yourself.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff9900;">“Who are you?”</span></strong> matters. Forget about matching yourself to good work if you don’t know what you bring to the table. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#ffcc99;">.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="color:#6600cc;">Who Are You & Why Are You Here? (The Line of Your Life)</span><br /></span></strong><br />Often it's easier to understand something when it's visual. First, draw a straight line on a piece of blank paper.<br /><span style="color:#000000;">__________________________________________________</span></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#ffcc99;">.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Next, put a dot somewhere on the left side of the line signifying the day you were born. Put another dot somewhere on right side of the line signifying when you will die. Label each dot accordingly, in your own words, such as: “My birth”, “Death”.<br /><br /><span style="color:#cc6600;"><span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong>Take a good hard look at the space in between</strong></span>.</span> <span style="color:#ff9900;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">This is your life</span></strong>.</span></span> It began with a blank line: the truth is that circumstance, fate, fortune, and your own efforts and choices determine what happens between the dots.</span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Now put a dot somewhere along the line signifying where you are now--today. Label it.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong>To the left of your dot is where you have been; to the right is where you will head.<br /></strong><br /></span>Your imaginary line will look something like this: </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#ffcc99;">.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">_<span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>o</strong></span>___________________<span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>o</strong></span>_____________________<span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>o</strong></span>__</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#000000;">Birth<span style="color:#99ff99;">............. .......</span>Today</span><span style="color:#99ff99;">................</span> <span style="color:#99ff99;">..</span>Goodbye!<br /><br />Next, in between your birth-dot and your today-dot, add and label 1 or 2 or 3 dots that signify important events or things that have happened up to now. This could be anything--a graduation, a marriage, the birth of a child, a move, a loss, a promotion-—anything that has been pretty significant in your life up to this point. </span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Take another look. <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;"><strong>You cannot change the past, but you can honor it.</strong></span> The dots you have placed represent events in your life that influence and color who you are. They are significant, but they do not lock you into a permanent playback or control your destiny. You get to decide that yourself.<br /><br />Here comes what you CAN control. Now place and label two or three dots on the line between where you are now and your death-dot. Each will represent a significant event or accomplishment—a certain goal you hope to reach, a level of accomplishment, an event you look forward to, activities, plans, achievements, anything that plays a part in your hopes and dreams for the future.<br /><br />This is the Line of My Life. <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">This is the big picture</span>. Anything else is just small change. I can look at this and know what's important. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5115636590675070194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3Q8Y6lzUHTA/Rv5kYBstjPI/AAAAAAAABDU/BVHqrPsUz_8/s320/2007-09-29-1040-26.jpg" border="0" />When I look at my Life Line, there is no doubt about the importance of my daughter, my business, writing, jb, travel and teaching. Here are a mere <span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong>SIX WORDS</strong> </span>that define who I am and why I am here. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#6600cc;">What about you? When the Line of Your Life is complete,</span> <span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff9900;"><strong>w</strong></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#ff9900;"><strong>hat do you see?<br /></strong></span><br /></span>In a notebook, on your lampshape, inside your wallet, or where ever, write down and hold on to your important words. They are the beginning of your roadmap to the job of your dreams.<br /><br /><span style="color:#6633ff;"><span style="color:#000000;">Oh, and by the way, you can change your mind.</span> <strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">Your future is not cast in stone</span></strong>,</span> and your values and priorities may change to the point where the purpose of your life will change also. Should that happen, you lose nothing by re-defining and re-directing the little dots that symbolically sit between your life and your death. Until then, you know now, to the best of your ability, what matters most. Hold that information close. You'll be using it again soon enough. </span></div>kjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15122196887043345981noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129735439480766888.post-22960400785319977052007-09-26T09:23:00.000-04:002007-09-29T11:39:42.570-04:00WHAT TO EXPECT<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><em>"To be nobody-but-yourself---in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else--- means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting."- e.e. cummings<br /></em>.<br /><em>This space affectionately called CAREERS will loosely follow a four part program called</em> <em><strong>Good Work If You Can Get It!,</strong></em> <em>based on an upcoming book by yours truly to help you achieve the job of your dreams. Normally it's a three to four month journey, we'll weave in and out of that schedule somewhat, but if you want to follow along over the coming months you will have plenty of chances to don new information and ideas--about yourself, your labor market, and your job search. Or you can just stop in when the topic interests you. You can do either leisurely and in any order you wish--there is no right or wrong approach and flexibility is an asset here.</em><br />.<br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><em>If you are confused or discouraged about your career, or lack of it, you'll quickly find you are not alone. Please allow me to start at the beginning:<br /></em><em></em>.<br /><strong><span style="color:#cc6600;">Who Needs Career Help?</span></strong><br />.<br /><em>Who doesn’t?</em> Eight in ten work-aged Americans report that they are somewhat to moderately unhappy in general. Fifty percent of workers say they fall somewhere between dissatisfied and miserable with the job that they do. Most heart attacks occur on Monday mornings. There’s not much more to say.<br />.<br />I’m a career counselor. That means that I work with people who for some reason need to decide or re-decide what to do about work.<br />.<br />I work with all kinds of people—from company presidents to attorneys to teachers and marketing reps, to graphic designers to woodworkers and assemblers.<br />.<br />When I meet a new client I say, “I’m the counselor everybody should have had in high school and nobody did”.<br />.<br />That almost always brings a knowing smile, because most adults of all ages know that throughout time there has been too little assistance in the way of vocational advice and career guidance.<br />.<br />People find their way to me or to someone like me for one or more of several common reasons:<br /><br />· They have been laid off or are just out of school, have not had a job offer, or worse yet, aren’t sure what they should be looking for,<br /><br />· They have already achieved career or financial success but have a strong desire to do “something that matters”,<br /><br />· They have been depressed or otherwise stuck and a family member or someone else has pushed them to do something about it,<br /><br />· They are being “outsourced” or encouraged to change jobs--which is a polite way that many employers say, “Take a hike”,<br /><br />· They have been unable to work, or had an interruption in work, because of a physical or emotional reason.<br /><br />The average person is not likely to find me or receive much help in any of these areas unless they are, in a sense, either very desperate or very lost. If you’re a department manager wanting to design playgrounds or an Insurance Specialist longing to be a jeweler, you’re generally out of luck.<br />.<br />Sometimes it’s not the job but the circumstance. If you hope to stay in the same field but have a supervisor from hell, or you have lost your confidence that the work can be good again, it’s hard to know where to turn. Schools try, and there are some excellent training programs, but usually the time when you really need the help is when you’re out of school, not in it.<br />.<br />I am describing different kinds of people who need career help to make the point that, by and large, even though work takes up almost half of your waking life, most people muddle through their jobs and careers on their own, and often on automatic pilot, entering law because their father did or staying in food service because its was their first job in high school, or choosing an occupation or accepting a job simply because it was offered.<br />.<br />Most Career Resources don’t work either. First of all, they're not commonly available. If you check out your local bookstore or library, you will find several dozen good books and resources to help you write an effective resume, complete an impressive job interview, or organize a comprehensive job search. But the problem with this focus is that <em><span style="color:#cc6600;">most people end up looking for work before they know what kind of work they can and should do. </span></em>Better to know what your mind and heart are looking for before you start searching for it.<br />.<br />There are many books and resources that ask the right questions about your mission in life, likes and dislikes, your values and visions. But too often you will encounter difficulty in applying your core values to the demands of the real labor market. I am always saddened when I encounter someone who has been “holding out” for the perfect job for months or years. In the meantime, his/her self esteem, confidence, energy and motivation have withered so significantly that it is near impossible to make a good impression or make the necessary adjustments. <span style="color:#cc6600;"><em>Good work doesn’t mean perfect work. </em></span>Career joy doesn’t mean total satisfaction. But neither means long term misery or hopelessness either.<br />.<br />Let's face it: mMost of us have never been taught, guided, or exposed to the process and skills needed to make one of most important decisions in life. You probably have more experience in buying a new car or computer than you do in choosing and finding good work.<br />.<br />So here's what to expect here. First, <span style="color:#cc6600;">you'll look </span><em><span style="color:#cc6600;"><span style="color:#cc6600;">at YOU</span>: your hopes, fears, challenges, goals, preferences, skills, dreams, aptitudes and interests.</span></em> You'll be introduced to the Good Work Circle, an interactive tool that will help you learn about yourself, the labor market and, finally, kick off and successfully complete your job search.<br />.<br />From time to time I will also address career questions you may have. Not to mention you will no doubt find some terrific comments from terrific visitors that will get you both thinking and moving ahead.<br />.<br />That's what to expect ahead. I hope you find what you're looking for. And I hope in the process we'll learn and laugh our way to the finish line!</span></div>kjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15122196887043345981noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129735439480766888.post-28802162938938742007-09-22T12:36:00.001-04:002007-09-25T17:49:12.339-04:00WORK THAT MATTERS<div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This blog aims to provide helpful information in choosing or changing your career. Work takes up too much time to be stressful, miserable, dull, or depressing. </span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">.</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">There are three essential parts to choosing work that will satisfy both your head and heart:</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">.</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">1. You have to know yourself.</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">2. You have to know the labor market.</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">3. You have to know how to conduct a dynamite job search.</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">.</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Here's a good place to start: </span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">.</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></em></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;color:#6600cc;"><strong>Rule # 1: It's HOW You Work, Not What You Do</strong></span></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:180%;color:#6600cc;">.</span></strong></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#6600cc;"></span></em></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><em>Philosopher Matthew Fox tells of an Auto Mechanic who was depressed by his work but stuck with his job because of family responsibilities. He saw his work as meaningless. Through the advice of a Sufi teacher, he began to speak a religious term each time he turned the ratchet to repair a vehicle. By doing this his whole relationship with his work changed. “Now”, he said, “I love my work. I love cars. They are alive. It is a mistake to think of cars as inanimate. A car will tell you, if you listen deeply enough, whether it wants to be repaired or whether it wants simply to be left alone to die.”</em><br /><br />Does this story sound silly to you? It is not as unusual as you might think. Gardeners will tell you that plants tell them what they need. Pet owners will tell you that they understand their animals’ communications completely. Homeowners will tell you that they have an unexplainable connection with their houses and sometimes know intuitively what attention the house needs. Artists and scientists will tell you that they are given ideas and information from sources that they do not know about and do not understand.<br />.<br />To think about your work as a living thing, to tend to it because the tending somehow matters, will bring you closer to good work. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">.<br />People who do good work feel that their job means something, that in some way large or small what they do makes a real difference to somebody, or to some situation or some event. It does not matter if the worker is the President of General Motors or the Grill Cook in the company cafeteria. It does not matter how much money the job pays. <em><span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong>What matters is that the work matters</strong></span></em>. And what matters most of all is HOW you work, not WHAT you do. </span></div>kjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15122196887043345981noreply@blogger.com9