Archive | 2006

Finding Purpose Is The Journey

by on June 5, 2006 in Creative, Life

Ever have the thought that the sooner you find your purpose in life, the happier you’ll feel? It’s kind of like our unique sense of purpose is the final piece to the puzzle of life and once it locks into place…well then we can check that one off the list and then really start living.

I admit this trap is hard not to fall into at times. And when you do, it’s always nice to have someone help you climb out. For instance, I like what Patricia Soldati writes in her article, Finding Purpose: Don’t Let It Get You Down:

Purpose is not a thing, or a goal to be achieved. Maybe it’s your work…or maybe not. It lives on no one’s timetable and defies any systemic approach that says, “At the end of this lesson, you will be able to…”

In fact, the more you hard-core it – set your mind to finding it – the more elusive it becomes. You end up chasing away that which you most want to embrace in your life.

She then lists four ways to reconsider the journey of finding purpose. My big takeaway? Number 2: Find it outside of your own needs. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in my own sense of self-exploration, I forget that the answers to the really big questions just might exist outside of myself.

And The Who Says…The Kids Are Alright

by on June 2, 2006 in Career, Work

Don Blohowiak at Leadership. Now. has a kick-butt post called Boomers on Holiday, and while the focus was on my dad’s generation it still resonates with me as a Gen-Xer. Here’s a taste:

Most boomers are weary…They’re weary to the bone of a career that has been predicated on one word: More. As in ever-more work to meet ever-rising expectations — their employer’s for productivity, and their own for consumption.

I can’t think of anything more depressing than the thought that we’re all going to be expected to continue to keep up this pace for more. It will come at the price of our very souls.

Yet, that takes the power out of our hands. It’s as if our businesses and organizations are winged monsters unable to be corralled and brought back to earth. Boomers may indeed be weary, but Don also offers a bright spark in that this generation still has the music and a move or two left:

We’re about to rediscover our music. And ourselves. We know we aren’t handing to our children the world we envisioned. That’s true. But we’re not done yet. Chances are that once freed from the shackles of being wage slaves, legions of former idealists will roll up their sleeves and get to work on work that matters, working part-time or as volunteers on causes they believe in.

Hell, yeah. Something tells me that we just may be on the cusp of a quite revolution where we reinvigorate ourselves and our work. Where work is not something to be feared or assumed grudgingly, but a full effort of our unique selves. If boomers are weary, its time for us youngsters to step up and lend a hand. It’s our time.

So, Does That Mean Gandhi Had Good Credit?

by on June 1, 2006 in Career, Work

Perusing other career blogs today, I came across this post at Recruiting.com. The idea that companies might do credit checks on new hires isn’t exactly a new concept. I have to admit that after my last foray into the self-employment world a year or so ago, my credit isn’t as sparkling as it used to be. Good enough to get a decent mortgage on a home, though.

What gave me reason to have a good laugh is this quote:

“Typically, people who manage finances well manage their lives well and are less stressed, likely to be more honest and more in control of their workday and their home life,” said Maxine Sweet, a spokeswoman for Experian, one of the nation’s biggest credit bureaus. “A credit report is not only reflective of your financial position but your character.”

Gee Maxine, I sure hope you said that with your tongue firmly planted in cheek. Anyone know how to get their hands on Ken Lay’s or Tom DeLay’s credit rating? I’d like to put Ms. Sweet’s theory to a rigorous test.

Double bonus points for reading the comments at the end of the post. It’s good to know your legal rights.

All You Need Is Love In The Workplace

by on June 1, 2006 in Creative, Work

When you talk about love in the workplace, most folks think of inter-office romances or tawdry office affairs. At the very least, our culture teaches us that love should not be part of our workplace vernacular. That’s unfortunate since it is love which energizes us toward new heights and gives us courage to take authentic action.

Over the past couple of days, I’ve been reflecting on what Dennis Bakke in Joy At Work says about love and its place in our worklives. Rather than running away from love because it’s “mushy” or “soft” or simply “inappropriate,” what else is there?

It is love that allows us to give up our power of control. It is love that allows us to treat each person in our organization with respect and dignity. Love sends people around the world to serve others. Love inspires people to work with greater purpose.

As for when we feel attacked or misunderstood in our work, Bakke continues with his own experience:

Love helps me understand why some colleagues, supervisors, board members, and subordinates did not subscribe to my theories or behave in a manner consistent with our highest principles and values. Love makes it possible for me to forgive those who derided my views and caused me so much pain. Because love is directed toward others, it allows for the possibility that my critics were right and I was wrong. And, if I was wrong, I would hope that love would enable my detractors to forgive the forceful way I pushed my philosophy. (italics mine)

And as for why bringing love to our workplace is so important:

I continue to believe that love is the final and crucial ingredient in a joy-filled workplace. It is a state of mind that requires no extra costs and no difficult trade-offs against competing organizational goals. It does not demand higher compensation or fancy offices or sophisticated information systems or more specialized staff people. Yet love is perfectly consistent with even the most aggressive economic goals.

Some folks may bristle and disbelieve that last statement about the compatibility of love with making a profit, but I share his faith. In today’s world, profit is really easy come, easy go. Even those companies and non-profits who have enjoyed consistent growth can’t accurately predict the future or increasingly fickle customers. But, love is always there for us, always within us to bring to our work and those we work with. That’s the challenge, though…often it takes courage to bring that love to places where love may not always be present or to folks who don’t believe it belongs in a professional office environment.

Today, keep the Beatles in your heart and sing, “All you need is love, love, love is all you need.”

Running Toward Your Purpose

by on May 22, 2006 in Career, Creative

Since making the big announcement of our plans to hitch our wagon for Austin, TX, we’ve received a wide spectrum of responses from friends, family, and a few strangers. For the most part, the response has been overwhelmingly supportive bordering on admiration for taking such a grand leap of faith. That’s always appreciated considering there are times when both me and my wife look at each other with that wide-eyed gaze which silently says, “There’s a fine line between courageous and crazy…which side are we on now?”

To the other end of the spectrum lies a few folks who tend to believe that we must be running away from something. Else, why would we take such a grand leap? Perhaps I’m running from a job that’s lost its meaning…or we’re running from a place where we’ve lost a sense of community…or perhaps we’re just running away to be running. Any way you slice it this perspective evokes a sense of fear; like being in a low-budget horror movie, running from the demonic dog or masked killer who can never die.

But, throughout this unfolding adventure, I’m coming to a different space where I ask, “What if we’re running toward something?” Running from the monster is just running in any direction to get away from the beast (though it usually involves long, dark hallways). I feel we’re actually focused and running toward a richer, more soulful life. There is a lot of hopefulness in our decision and it’s that sense of hope that guides us through the inevitable turbulence.

Our decision is to make a radical change in where we call home. But the concept of running toward can apply in several other choices – some of which are more of the everyday, garden-variety types. So, how do you know if you’re running away or running toward? Take some time to reflect on these questions:

Which is more painful for me…staying the same or making a change?
Some folks are motivated by pain, some by pleasure. Let’s face it, though…most individuals view change as pain, loss, or a combination of both. If you’re stuck in a rut, it’s the fear of change because of pain that’s keeping you there. So, ask whether staying in the rut is worth all the trouble. If you’re hesitant to face a possible conflict with a co-worker or supervisor, where’s the fear/pain coming from? Instead of running from the possibility of conflict, ask whether it’s possible to run toward the improved relationship or the learning of how to communicate more effectively. Which leads to another question…

Will I learn anything about myself (or others) through this decision?
Running away from a toxic work environment or a bad personal relationship may be the right move in the short-term, but without taking the time for sufficient self-reflection you might just land in the same spot again later on. Running toward something better means you have the insight and personal understanding to run in the most appropriate direction. Which leads to yet another question…

Do I have a purpose for tomorrow?
Running toward is all about moving in the direction of a greater purpose. It means putting in the time, energy, and discipline to figure out what needs to happen in order to make that purpose a reality. However, that doesn’t mean that you have to have it all planned and mapped out. Hell, if that was the case, no one would have ever took to the seas to explore new worlds, no one would have had the courage to scale Everest, and no one would have taken great leaps of faith to find their life’s calling.

If you find yourself wondering if you’re running away from a problem or a place, reflect on some of these questions. Explore whether there is hope or fear in your heart. And don’t worry if you’re not able to take a great leap at first. Aim to take just a small risk. Over time, your confidence will grow and so will the boldness of your actions. Just remember to run toward.