Career Change

Sometimes a certain topic will seem to find its way to a person in bunches. Lately that topic's been career change.

One friend recently changed jobs and is loving it. Another has days where he can hardly drag himself into the office, and has his eye on another job. Both told me this over lunch, on differing days. And both said the same thing: "I'm okay as an analyst, but my real passion is managing people." And in my opinion, they're both right. I've seen each of them feast on the adventure of reading people's character and adjusting the landscape so as to meet employees' needs and get the team jelling toward success.

Another friend is losing her job at the end of July, and the flames of hope have been fanned by a possible job offer in a past career that she likes a lot less, but is close to home. Another college graduate just interviewed for an insurance agent job, and came away with a great feeling and a promise of being contacted within a week or so. Another is experiencing a new boss, but silently waiting to see if a new job dangled by a likable person in another department will materialize. I pray that they have patience and good fortune no matter what!

My job is a gift, but what's my calling? Some people are exceptionally tall and athletic... shouldn't they play pro basketball? Some are natural musicians... isn't it a shame if they don't pursue it for a living? The mechanically inclined. He who learns languages easily. She with the velvet voice. And this person, with strong mathematical and analytical skills. Isn't it clear what they should be doing?

I think so.

I feel a moment is wasted only when spent without enthusiasm. A basketball talent who loves to write, should write. An accountant who wants to dance, should dance. A full-time employee who wants to work part-time, should work part-time. Life is chasing passions, death is obliging abilities or groupthink. For me, success isn't measured so much in dollars as in dreams. If something must become dull and unused, let it be talent rather than time. Water can be beautiful in a puddle or a waterfall, it's up to us to choose our scene. And to celebrate others who find theirs.