“People are always telling me that I sound like Cinderella.” Can you imagine any more perfect job for someone who sounds like a Disney Princess, than being a kids’ dental hygienist? What child isn’t going to listen and obey when Cinderella tells them to open wide, or floss better? I suppose she could have chosen to do voice-overs or acted as one of the princesses at Disneyland. Certainly she would have been hired. I’ve never met anyone with quite that sort of lovely, sing-songy voice (outside of a theme park). And yet… rather than the obvious, this young woman chose a dental career. In a recent program on NPR a student who felt he was a generalist without an sort of passion inspired a team of economists to model the best way to choose a career. (I know I’m Supposed to Follow my Passion. But What if I don’t Have a Passion? ) “In the end, the three economists did not advise Max to pursue some particular career path. They didn't even give very specific advice. But they did all agree that Max's lack of a passion could work to his advantage. Pursuing a passion — especially if it's a popular passion — often doesn't pay very well” (Chana Joffe-Walt – Morning Edition, May 9, 2013) Right now, as many graduates leave high school for college or college for work, the question remains, what should I do? Assuming that there is only one right answer is part of the problem. What motivates us when we are young is not necessarily the same thing that motivates us when we are older. But I disagree with the economists on NPR… I believe passion comes aligning our unique talents, the strengths that are central to us being who we are, and our interests. This passion won’t give us a career, but it will provide the inspiration, the fuel, for a well lived life. I’d love to be able to wave a magic wand to help people identify what these strengths are. But right now I am short on magic. Instead I have found it takes hard work and a willingness to try and fail at many different things. It also helps to have access to a great career center. Many now have career tools which incorporate not only what you are good at, but also what motivates and interests you. Perhaps next time I visit the dentist I will check with the hygienist to see which career counselor she used. Either they were very good at their job or she was lucky enough to be blessed with a very talented fairy godmother. Bonus Features today: You gotta hear this hilarious girl doing impressions of all the Disney Princesses. Hilarious! Which impression do you think she does best? What job should she be doing? What skill would you broadcast on YouTube? Come on.... you know you want to leave me a comment this time, so just do it!
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“I think it broke its wing.”
It was one of those mornings… husband at Tuesday tennis, daughter unwilling to get up and me focused on pumping her with protein for her State Testing today. Needless to say, we were already behind when the phone rang the first time. It was a neighbor in need of help. There was a bird with a broken wing in her front drive and she needed someone who could handle this type of emergency. I suppose my one experience helping a couple of birds who had fallen from their nest made me the closest they could get to an expert. The good news is that it got my daughter to fly :>) through her morning routine. The second call came moments after the first one… It was the school. They still had not received my email with the flyer we had created for a school event coming up. (I have noticed my emails frequently land in a black hole somewhere making me wonder if they have a ‘block emails’ list that I have landed on for some reason. ) Could I resend the email and print a copy to bring into school with me? Ironically, my friend with the hurt bird was on the same committee. So, while I was attempting to assist the bird, she was making sure a new email got through to the principal. It wasn’t until we were on our way to school (finally) that I realized we had not cut a flower for teacher appreciation today. As I said…it was one of those mornings. And yet for a change, I was able to pinpoint with absolute certainty the only thing that really mattered; getting a relaxed daughter to school in time for her testing. It would be nice if our priorities were always this clear. Sadly, in the flow of everyday life this is seldom the case. Tomorrow I will post my new vlog about learning to Kick a Field Goal. As I practiced this week I found that keeping the reason for my goal in my head while I completed my practice really helped me to focus. Lesson I learned: Create and then focus on the end result rather than the goal itself. Example: Not- lose 20 lbs. Instead- enjoy wearing my clothes Not- get daughter to school. Instead- daughter does well on her testing And today a goal and purpose for you…. Not- forward Deanne’s Boston One Fund promo to friends and family Instead- help children who lost a limb afford rehabilitation and prosthetics. (Please read this article to find out why every penny is soooo important: NBC NEWS, 5/6/13 Today is the final day of my fundraising event. Please let your friends and family know that all of my proceeds from the sale of either book, BETTING JESSICA and/or UNTANGLING THE KNOT sold today, May 7th, will go directly to the Boston One Fund campaign. Or… you can donate directly here: The One Fund Boston Thanks! |
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June 2020
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