Why do we need it?

Yesterday I did something I almost never get to do: take a walk with my dad. No, not because I don’t want to, or don’t have the time, but because we live about 3000 miles apart (Seattle-to-New York is a long run for me, I’m still working on it—I’m gonna try a standard length marathon first, because Forrest Gump is still a better distance runner than I).

All that said, I grew up in one of the most beautiful tourist towns in the U.S.: Lake George, NY. It is simply beautiful, and when it’s hot and sunny in the July sun, it’s unforgettable. 

On the streets of Lake George: a mighty performer! BTW: he's holding a bowling pin, a knife... and a plunger!

I have been running my butt off out here, and it really feels good. That said, my story is about walking. Slower pace—taking it all in. And my dad—well—he likes to wander. We just can’t ever walk side by side. It’s kind of endearing… it’s ok, I love him for it. This was the kind of walk that had a feeling of two very disparate feelings: isolation and togetherness.

Isolation and togetherness

So really, the first word is not really about being physically apart. We were enjoying our own form of connection as we dodged the tourists by the boardwalk on the lake. What I realized shortly after leaving the house through, was that I left with no keys, no cell phone and no wallet: completely empty pockets. A million thoughts from a city dweller that is always in touch with these things, and always able to be reached. I was out of touch, unable to buy a coke, and unable to open a garage door without help.

Oh hail to true freedom!

So what are we really? Are we all these crazy objects we’re attached to? I just dropped my iPhone for the umpteenth time, and felt bad about it, because I like my technology toys to always be shiny (well, this one is thoroughly scuffed at this point). What are we focused on? Ok, ok… what am I focused on?  Do we all just need a “walk with dad” sans any kind of technology, identification, purchasing power or house entry ability? Is that what we need to rediscover ourselves, our place in the world, and our attraction and attachment to “things?” 

Ok… I vote for togetherness.

Now, if that happens to involve gadgets, great. As I continue to become involved with Microsoft retail services (ala the Microsoft Store), I have to be aware of technology, new developments, and family purchasing trends... I guess in this case, it's MY purchasing trends in relation to family... or something like that. But it's more about letting go as I simply enjoy companionship.

With all that said, I stand corrected. This is what I am up against: in reflecting upon togetherness, I write from the house of my parents. We have been watching the movie “What Women Want.” My mom just went to bed to watch TV. She turned on the same movie. How should I feel about this?

Togetherness?

Ok, I’ll just try to be thankful for quadraphonic sound (stereo from two rooms…).

Ahhh, togetherness…

m

Perpetual Motion: Work and Careers in the “New Economy”

At the risk of repeating myself, I recently received a note from an email list regarding something I have thought about (and written about) more than once, and I felt compelled to write about it again: professional success finding work (of any kind) in current economic times.

As asked by a writer for The Career News:

“Is the new career a perpetual job search?”

I think this gets at the heart of something I have mentioned before. Not to sound too exhaustive in my emphasis, but my title of “Perpetual Motion” implies not on movement, but the ability to adapt to change—sometimes on the end of a dime.

Job searches seem to happen in shorter, quicker cycles for many these days—and that’s simply the reality. The 3-5 year job search cycle has been whittled down to 3-5 month in many cases. I am not trying to paint a picture of fear and cynicism, merely cultivate some kind of acceptance of the bigger ‘system’ that YOU are operating within. We’re ALL operating within a much different system—economically. And culturally, we are only starting to adapt to it. Many of us still expect what we used to view as stability: the long-term permanent position. These definitely exist, and if that’s your preference, that’s great. I know that I for one, would like more stability.

Well what if stability IS perpetual change, or at least, the ability to change—as effortlessly as possible—if needed?

I’m not saying you should necessarily ‘look’ for change, but in some cases that might actually apply… and if it doesn’t apply, let’s just say you have been ‘trained’ for success, because you can more often recognize when change might be coming!

“Perpetual Motion” essential sums up the ability to change when needed—you accept it, and are capable of it, and it’s essentially the norm.

In that sense, as The Career News says, “The future work style is less like a traditional career and more like running your own small business.” Think of work and career as something you truly have to own, as it’s part of your brand. Don’t start talking to people only after a contract ends, or there’s a layoff.

Build relationships NOW.

Make it part of your modus operandi, your MO that is your everyday way of doing things. That way, when you really need work, everyone you talk to already knows it, and there is a different ‘rhythm’ to your system. Your MO supports the flow of your work, from one project to another, or one full-time job to another.

There are definitely many jobs, and job-hunters out there that still flow from one 3-5 year job to another, but it is becoming more and more common to see 3-12 month contracts.

Flow with the change… embrace… adapt… allow… let go of resistance and know that change is here today and the sooner you adapt and flow with it, the sooner you can get to feeling good about your career.

These are words I finally understand, as the last 3 years have been very difficult, and I have learned much of this through the process of discovering my own new career direction, and I invite you to do the same.

Why is it important? Well, hopefully I have clarified that a little bit, but one more thing I will say is that being in perpetual motion, and being more adaptive can be a valuable skill in many critical ways. Not only is it valuable for a job search, but it’s also a valuable ongoing trait while in a position, because you recognize opportunity in a much more ‘energized’ way. Perpetual motion creates opportunity at every turn, if you leave the past behind. 

So before it gets “bad…” 

Before things get “out of hand…” 

And before desperation and potential feelings of victimization set in (after a worst case scenario like a lay-off)… 

Consider perpetual motion as an alternative…

Of course if you’re already IN the vicious cycle, and need work now, it’s harder… at first… it may call for doing something ‘tolerable’ while you change your patterns, but the long-run well is worth it!

It took me a long time to let go of what I thought I wanted, and how I thought things were supposed to be. I started to pay attention to what was actually happening, not what was in my head. I also paid more attention to what I really enjoyed doing, and what energized me. That perspective led to change. If I can help any of you readers by writing this, I am forever grateful that maybe I have actually learned something valuable over the last few years. But I’m only part of this; it’s also the bigger system we operate within, and how that is changing… 

Comments?

Thanks as always-

m