Comments on: Why you already know what you should be doing next

By: You Already Know What You’re Good At « Spiddlement

You Already Know What You’re Good At « Spiddlement — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:59:02 +0000

[...] tagged career, career advice, jobs, self help at 3:58 am by escaperabbit Penelope Trunk wrote a nice article recently on The Brazen Careerist blog that echoes what I seem to keep re-learning over and over [...]

By: Nathan Snell

Nathan Snell — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 16:07:14 +0000

In the story about the farmer, I think he convinced you to do things his way… or you were holding back for first impressions ;)

By: Dale

Dale — Sat, 24 May 2008 21:18:35 +0000

As a child, to get out of my really unpleasant life I would read anything that I could get my hands on and make up stories. I kept my little brother mesmerized with tales of adventure and he followed me around like I was a hero. He was the only person who thought I was worth anything and
I miss those days, but only for that. The rest of the time I spent listening to my parents fight and being teased endlessly by classmates. No one but a couple of teachers ever hit me, (because I was lucky enough to be built like a truck back then) but back then in the West Indies, corporal punishment was normal. In fact, they only did it because they "cared" and because my father told them that I was a dreamer and a slacker, and needed to be "straightened out."

Fast forward 30 years, and I'm still day-dreaming, telling stories to my children and making up games for them to play. Come to think of it, I'm at my happiest when I'm wrapped up in a good book or spinning a tale for my little and not so little ones. I even have a board game out that is doing okay; go figure. But, my serious career is the most frustrating and unfulfilling exercise in monotony. Hey, if I had heard and listened to your advice back when I was young and could do something about it, I'd probably be a teacher or author or some such day-dreaming slacker today. I guess it's never too late…

By: phreaked

phreaked — Fri, 23 May 2008 14:36:59 +0000

Exactly true.

Some of the best advice my mother ever gave me was to not forget who you were when you were 5 years old.

That is the essential You. The You that existed before society came calling mandating how you should act.

When people ask me to describe myself I usually think of that 5 year old and talk about her.

By: Facing Abuse » Blog Archive » You know all the answers already!

Facing Abuse » Blog Archive » You know all the answers already! — Thu, 22 May 2008 00:15:30 +0000

[...] Well, damnit, that's not the post I am trying to write today, although it cries out to be written and will certainly be coming soon. My point today is that despite my struggles with self-promotion, I am pulled to read things like Brazen Careerist, and in that particular blog I have found a great treasure trove of smart, clear writing not only about business matters but about life. And I really knew I had found something good when I read Why you already know what you should be doing next. [...]

By: Katybeth

Katybeth — Tue, 20 May 2008 23:51:32 +0000

My husband is trying to figure out "what next" in his life–I shared your post and he actually thanked me! I played with dolls and dogs as a child–bossing both around—I grew up to be a stay at home mom that earns her living as a professional pet spoiler!
Thanks,this is the first article I have read by you and I am sure it will be one of many! Not forgetting to mention that I will keep in touch on twitter!

By: Senia

Senia — Fri, 16 May 2008 05:36:01 +0000

Nice.
Really nice.

By: Amy B.

Amy B. — Wed, 14 May 2008 19:49:47 +0000

This post assumes a childhood of autonomy, affluence, and limited supervision. Kids with controlling parents, no money, or crushing household responsibilities; or kids with unlimited access to TV, rarely enjoyed the freedom or leisure to "be" or "do" in an environment that allowed their "true" selves to blossom. Hindsight doesn't always produce insight.

By: Coaching4Lesbians » Blog Archive » Is Your Career What You Want to Do or What You Think You “Should” Be Doing?

Wed, 14 May 2008 14:14:59 +0000

[...] you most want to be doing is? You discover it by looking inside yourself. Penelope Trunk writes in "Why you already know what you should be doing next" Do you want to know what you should do right now? Do you want to know what your best bet is for [...]

By: Jim C.

Jim C. — Tue, 13 May 2008 20:55:19 +0000

To m: You said, "Office work doesn’t seem to be the best match. Does this description spark any ideas for anyone–I could use all the suggestions I can get."

I can relate to that.

I don't know exactly what your field of education is, but I can make some general suggestions.

(1) If you are in a field of science or engineering, there are a lot of jobs that allow plenty of field work. Geology is an obvious one, but forestry (including urban forestry), land reclamation, agronomy, oceanography, civil engineering, and many fields of biological sciences are amenable to outdoor work (and even demand it).

(2) If you are in administration, try to find a job that involves field work. Highway departments, parks/recreation agencies, and construction companies are good choices.

(3) If you are in a field like social work, try to find a job in a rural area.

(4) You've tried teaching but don't like it. That probably means you have a teaching degree or certificate. What about physical education? That's an outdoor job at least some of the year, and it involves moving around a lot all year round. Or how about working as a park interpretive ranger? Are there any jobs in your area that involve leading field trips? (Those could be archaeological, botanical, geological, zoological, etc.)

(5) How are your people skills? If they are good, an outside sales job gets you out of the office a lot.

Just a few ideas…