I love it when a client takes control of their career instead of letting it drag them around.
But it’s painful and frustrating when I see another client struggling to take initiative, to do the research, to actively own the process of becoming better at what he does.
I suspect our educational system and overall cultural approach to raising children is at fault. We expect rote learning in schools, parents expect obedience from children, and rebellion – which might simply be creative thinking – is squashed.
Not everyone wants to be a business owner. Not everyone wants to be the company CEO. That’s fine.
And it’s pretty obvious that not everyone can be a business owner or a corporate CEO. We need employees, or the device you’re reading this on would never have been made.
But if you want a fulfilling, meaningful career – if you want a fulfilling, meaningful life – you need to think about what “fulfilling” and “meaningful” mean. (Hint: it doesn’t have to be entrepreneurship or the corner office.)
Do you know what you want?
And I don’t mean things. I mean your life experience. Which is made up, in essence, of your career, your relationships, and your self.
Do you know what you need to do and become to get it?
Do you evaluate the continuing relevance of what you want?
Do you adjust your course when you go off track?
Yes, it takes effort, thought, intention, time. And yes, it’s risky and vulnerable.
But if you settle for being spoon-fed – told what to do and when and how to do it – then you get what’s in the spoon.
No choice there, and too bad for you if you don’t like it.