Self-managing your career

Every man needs to have a job, be protector and head of his family." - To some of you this would sound as a tautology, to some it would sound amusing. Some of you would even find it depressing, because it goes so well with "... and life is a combination of work and tolerance of harsh reality". Interesting is that I thought I found the answer long time ago, but the issue keep coming back to me from my relatives and friends, not even mentioning the mass-media.

Underneath these statements there is always this philosophy of confirming to others, to what have been taught. The philosophy of "everybody else is doing it and therefore should I", and "this is how people do in society and there is nothing I can possibly do to change that, so there is no point in trying". "To be normal" considered getting education, a high-class job, a wife, house, kids. Following the steps should bring you happiness. Just because it supposed to bring you happiness. And it looks very logical, too: for example, to get a house and support kids one should have a job with a good salary. Strangly thought, whatever is the job, half of the people seem to envy you and the other half feels pity towards you. Being a software developer is a good pay, but at the same time it is a 8-to-5 behind-the-monitor-all-day job. Being a security guard is easy, but at the same time it is a low pay and no-future.

The thing that saves me is that I do not listen to good samaritans for a long time now. Because when you slave 8-to-5 you'd give anything to do nothing, but when you do nothing you'd give anything to do something. In either case unless you do something that you like and works toward social good you see no light at the end of the tunnel. Because samaritan's reality is always harsh, because they always in a tunnel.Because the only thing you can possibly get from following the "tunnel" philosophy is walking the same tunnel. No thank you.

So let's choose our destiny. Let's "self-manage our careers". as Colleen Clarke suggests. That boils down to: 1. set goals, 2. break goals into small tasks, 3. execute the tasks. Easy. To set the goals make "a thorough self assessment, write a mission statement based on your values, needs and wants, on the type of person you see yourself as, and the lifestyle you would most realistically like to have". Then "take each facet of your life - career, financial, personal, family and community and set short- and long-term goals and plans".

© Tearslake. Based on "Self-managing your career" from "24
hours" newspaper for July 5, 2004 by Colleen Clarke.