Comments on: Try being a dilettante before changing careers http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/28/try-being-a-dilettante-before-changing-careers/ Advice at the intersection of work and life Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:47:54 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Who am I? | Narrative Self http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/28/try-being-a-dilettante-before-changing-careers/comment-page-1/#comment-173156 Who am I? | Narrative Self Tue, 18 Nov 2008 02:05:05 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/28/try-being-a-dilettante-before-changing-careers/#comment-173156 [...] thought my head was going to explode.  Until I read another of her posts Try being a dilettante before changing careers. I realise too that I want to be outstanding at something and I don’t want to be Jack of all [...] [...] thought my head was going to explode.  Until I read another of her posts Try being a dilettante before changing careers. I realise too that I want to be outstanding at something and I don't want to be Jack of all [...]

]]> By: 如何吸引别人的兴趣 - One Leo http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/28/try-being-a-dilettante-before-changing-careers/comment-page-1/#comment-147877 如何吸引别人的兴趣 - One Leo Sun, 25 May 2008 06:26:42 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/28/try-being-a-dilettante-before-changing-careers/#comment-147877 [...] a while, I was a visual artist. Well, sort of. I mean, I made money from it. But as you may know, I am a big advocate of specializing, and I [...] [...] a while, I was a visual artist. Well, sort of. I mean, I made money from it. But as you may know, I am a big advocate of specializing, and I [...]

]]> By: djoser http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/28/try-being-a-dilettante-before-changing-careers/comment-page-1/#comment-136146 djoser Tue, 19 Feb 2008 22:29:08 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/28/try-being-a-dilettante-before-changing-careers/#comment-136146 I find it's difficult to balance my work as an artist and as a musician- indeed there aren't really enough hours in the day to pursue both. Yet both my artistic and musical mentors have each told me to give up on one in favor of pursuing the other. As a solution, I've synthesized my work in both areas into writing a play, which I've submitted to a local Performing Arts festival and will be producing in the spring. So- don't ever give up, and don't be afraid of even advice your mentors may give you which is not the best for you. What you get out of your work is what's most important- the satisfaction of getting your ideas out(for yourself), across (for show), or publishing & profiting from them (for a legacy)- all of these are valid concerns at any level, and vary from project to project. Be a project oriented person, and at the very least, you'll be able to say you left something of the time you spent here, on Earth. -Djo I find it's difficult to balance my work as an artist and as a musician- indeed there aren't really enough hours in the day to pursue both. Yet both my artistic and musical mentors have each told me to give up on one in favor of pursuing the other.

As a solution, I've synthesized my work in both areas into writing a play, which I've submitted to a local Performing Arts festival and will be producing in the spring.

So- don't ever give up, and don't be afraid of even advice your mentors may give you which is not the best for you. What you get out of your work is what's most important- the satisfaction of getting your ideas out(for yourself), across (for show), or publishing & profiting from them (for a legacy)- all of these are valid concerns at any level, and vary from project to project.

Be a project oriented person, and at the very least, you'll be able to say you left something of the time you spent here, on Earth.

-Djo

]]> By: Chris Yeh http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/28/try-being-a-dilettante-before-changing-careers/comment-page-1/#comment-50856 Chris Yeh Sun, 01 Apr 2007 06:35:43 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/28/try-being-a-dilettante-before-changing-careers/#comment-50856 Another great resource for us dabblers is Marci Alboher's new book, One Person/Multiple Careers: http://chrisyeh.blogspot.com/2007/03/foxes-hedgehogs-slashes-and-expected.html In it, she shows that most people with two careers start off with an "anchor" career that pays the bills, while experimenting with other careers. She even refers to Vocation Vacations. I think that blogging is one of the reasons why we'll eventually see a surge in the number of writers--it offers a great way for those with the urge to write to dabble in being a writer without having to navigate the many obstacles in the publishing industry. I know that even though I had published many articles in the past, blogging made me think of myself as a "Writer"--something I had never done before. On a side note, another great way to dabble in another industry or space is to serve as an advisor or mentor. I love advising young entrepreneurs, even those in industries I can barely understand, because it gives me a great way to learn new things and engage in energizing interactions. Another great resource for us dabblers is Marci Alboher's new book, One Person/Multiple Careers:

http://chrisyeh.blogspot.com/2007/03/foxes-hedgehogs-slashes-and-expected.html

In it, she shows that most people with two careers start off with an "anchor" career that pays the bills, while experimenting with other careers.

She even refers to Vocation Vacations.

I think that blogging is one of the reasons why we'll eventually see a surge in the number of writers–it offers a great way for those with the urge to write to dabble in being a writer without having to navigate the many obstacles in the publishing industry.

I know that even though I had published many articles in the past, blogging made me think of myself as a "Writer"–something I had never done before.

On a side note, another great way to dabble in another industry or space is to serve as an advisor or mentor. I love advising young entrepreneurs, even those in industries I can barely understand, because it gives me a great way to learn new things and engage in energizing interactions.

]]> By: Dyann Espinosa http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/28/try-being-a-dilettante-before-changing-careers/comment-page-1/#comment-50277 Dyann Espinosa Fri, 30 Mar 2007 15:46:13 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/28/try-being-a-dilettante-before-changing-careers/#comment-50277 A friend of mine in Portland started what has become a wildly successful company based on your concept of being a dilettante before you leap into something new. It's called Vocation Vacation and it works! Explanation below: The only company of its kind, VocationVacations® is dedicated to enriching people’s lives by allowing them to test-drive the job of their dreams, with no risk. [If you are] seeking a new career, a VocationVacations® adventure provides the experience of a lifetime! ...We offer the chance to test-drive over 75 unique careers, through almost 200 expert mentors….and we’re adding many more each month! A friend of mine in Portland started what has become a wildly successful company based on your concept of being a dilettante before you leap into something new. It's called Vocation Vacation and it works!
Explanation below:

The only company of its kind, VocationVacations® is dedicated to enriching people’s lives by allowing them to test-drive the job of their dreams, with no risk. [If you are] seeking a new career, a VocationVacations® adventure provides the experience of a lifetime! …We offer the chance to test-drive over 75 unique careers, through almost 200 expert mentors….and we’re adding many more each month!

]]> By: edward j gutman http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/28/try-being-a-dilettante-before-changing-careers/comment-page-1/#comment-50248 edward j gutman Fri, 30 Mar 2007 14:38:57 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/28/try-being-a-dilettante-before-changing-careers/#comment-50248 Penny I love reading your columns. They are so incredibly upbeat and tell exactly who you are. Edward Penny

I love reading your columns. They are so incredibly upbeat and tell exactly who you are.

Edward

]]> By: Tamar http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/28/try-being-a-dilettante-before-changing-careers/comment-page-1/#comment-49776 Tamar Thu, 29 Mar 2007 11:20:34 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/28/try-being-a-dilettante-before-changing-careers/#comment-49776 A decade ago, a writing colleague forced me to buy the Aeron chair I was coveting though didn't permit myself to buy. Not because of the outrageous price but for the indulgence, the gall to claim myself a writer... which I already was! So, here's my belated WRITTEN thanks to you, Stan, dear writing colleague who pushed me to buy the chair (which I am sooo comfortably sitting on right now). In its purchase, I immediately claimed the "writer" part of my professional identity. A decade ago, a writing colleague forced me to buy the Aeron chair I was coveting though didn't permit myself to buy. Not because of the outrageous price but for the indulgence, the gall to claim myself a writer… which I already was! So, here's my belated WRITTEN thanks to you, Stan, dear writing colleague who pushed me to buy the chair (which I am sooo comfortably sitting on right now). In its purchase, I immediately claimed the "writer" part of my professional identity.

]]> By: interesting reading « Avoiding Crisis: 210 Days of Self-Exploration http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/28/try-being-a-dilettante-before-changing-careers/comment-page-1/#comment-49588 interesting reading « Avoiding Crisis: 210 Days of Self-Exploration Thu, 29 Mar 2007 01:01:08 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/28/try-being-a-dilettante-before-changing-careers/#comment-49588 [...] 28 Mar 2007 interesting reading Posted by nicolemarie under career , change , writing  In light of what I wrote yesterday, Ifound this to be rather interesting.    [...] [...] 28 Mar 2007 interesting reading Posted by nicolemarie under career , change , writing  In light of what I wrote yesterday, Ifound this to be rather interesting.    [...]

]]> By: John http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/28/try-being-a-dilettante-before-changing-careers/comment-page-1/#comment-49524 John Wed, 28 Mar 2007 20:39:53 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/28/try-being-a-dilettante-before-changing-careers/#comment-49524 I wish you'd use complete sentences. Fragments are common in the news business. You know, that straight-ahead pound-the-point style. I still hate them. Forgive me for being critical. I know I won't change American journalism. I wish you'd use complete sentences. Fragments are common in the news business. You know, that straight-ahead pound-the-point style. I still hate them. Forgive me for being critical. I know I won't change American journalism.

]]> By: Ryan http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/28/try-being-a-dilettante-before-changing-careers/comment-page-1/#comment-49487 Ryan Wed, 28 Mar 2007 18:13:58 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/28/try-being-a-dilettante-before-changing-careers/#comment-49487 Penelope, I love this post. The idea of dabbling in an area before making the big leap is something everyone should do when considering any type of change. Great story about quantity vs quality as well, it just proves the point that taking some action, no matter how small, will trump sitting back and over analyzing. I know it worked for me. Alex, I hope you don't mind if I keep this story in my back pocket! Penelope,

I love this post. The idea of dabbling in an area before making the big leap is something everyone should do when considering any type of change. Great story about quantity vs quality as well, it just proves the point that taking some action, no matter how small, will trump sitting back and over analyzing. I know it worked for me.

Alex, I hope you don't mind if I keep this story in my back pocket!

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