I'm tempted to gloat about the newness, the movement forward, the change, the challenge, the increase in vacation time, the training, and yes, the upgrade in pay. Oh alright, I am gloating. I'm gloating with giddy glee. I'm gloating like a silly girl who got a new doll. I got a new job! I’m gloating, gloating, gloating!
But I keep my gloating to myself (notwithstanding The Snake Charmer’s Wife dot com) because I can't help but to think of all the stupid mistakes I've made along my long and illustrious so-called career path. I have so many professional blunders that I could blog one per day and fill a whole year's worth of material. More than a year. I could name and number each mistake without hardly thinking at all. At least ten gaffes in my occupational history come to mind at this very moment.
There’s a part of me that wishes I could help others not make the same mistakes. But the reality is that most people already don’t do the things I did. Most people have far more grace and style than I, and at a way younger age.
Maybe one day when I learn how to be a more honest writer, I’ll list my numerous job-based idiotic actions and make it all right with the universe. One day this list will be more funny than weird. I’m not there yet. I’d rather just forget about it. The past is the past. Although I do recommend this book that I annotated earlier, a book that successfully makes weird job situations hilarious. That's where I want to go with the list that's building in my brain.
For now, I’ll just say that I’ve been deeply humbled by unemployment. And my heart aches for those who are unemployed, under-employed, or unsatisfied in their work. I’m stumped at how often I see an inverse relationship between a person’s professional talent and their employment status. I wish I could wave a wand and make it right.
I’ll also say that I believe job coaches when they advise you to network, network, network. The new job which I am presently gloating about is a result of a coffee conversation I had about two and a half years ago. Networking has the cache of being self-centered, tricky, or only for extroverts. But I’ve come to believe it’s none of those things. The great thing about networking is that you can and should let the others do the talking. (Which is the basis of many of my afore mentioned career blunders.) Networking is about listening and being interested in what other people have to say. It’s not about tooting your own horn. It’s about living your life as a decent human being. Going to church is networking, even if you don’t say a dang word to anyone. Seriously. Volunteering at your kids’ school events is networking. Helping others is networking. Taking someone to lunch, joining a group, organizing a food drive, accepting a job you might not really want – it’s all networking. Happy hour is networking! Just showing up is networking. Networking is about reaching out to others and letting others help you. I'm convinced that’s the only way we are going to get out of this recession.
My career suggestions are dumber than my career blunders, so I’ll just stop right there.
More than gloating, as I approach this transition I hold an enormous sense of gratitude for all the people who gave me chances, and for those continue to dish up opportunities in spite of my many, many mistakes. I’m living proof that we don’t get what we deserve. We get better.
If you are looking for a job, a new job, a better job, a different job, I'm wishing for all the blessings of joy and prosperity and compassion and purpose to rain down upon you.
With love, T
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