My career (or lack thereof) made an appearance as the topic du jour between my father and I recently. Back on New Year’s Eve, I told him my goal was to have a “career plan” in place by June 30th. He remembered. He asked me what it was.
I told him “It’s a secret.”
Then I admitted to feeling incompetent, incapable and paralyzed. I admitted I have no idea what to do, much less what to do about it.
Stuck. Frozen. Paralyzed. “I’m lost.”
This is what he said to me:
“Do SOMETHING. Don’t do nothing. If you do nothing, it’s like going in reverse. You stop moving but the world keeps going, which is like going backwards.
Just do SOMEthing. It doesn’t have to be the right thing or the best thing. Just do SOMEthing. Don’t DO nothing.”
My Father is a wise man. He’s right.
I’ve touched on my career situation before, but it’s not a topic I like to discuss. Truth be told, it’s a chief source of sadness, shame, fear and disappointment.
It’s more fun to think about butterflies and sunshine. And food. But where has that gotten me?
I never imagined I’d wind up with anything less than a rewarding and successful career. The future was alive with possibilities. I felt I had SO MUCH to offer the world. I was full of ideas, passion and energy.
I’ve had amazing jobs and learned a lot. Downsizing happens. Tough job markets happen. They did. I got stuck in a stand-still.
My stagnation has led to degeneration. As the saying goes, use it or lose it. My motivation muscle has deteriorated. I’ve forgotten how to dream and achieve.
What happened to that girl?
I’m going in reverse, like my father said. I’m losing myself, disappearing. The longer I “do nothing” the worse it will get.
I’ve got to DO something.
I wasn’t lying when I said my plan was “a secret.”
I have faith. GOD knows my plan and the universe is prepared to let it unfold. I just have no idea what it is. It’s a secret.
God needs us to be team players (co-authors). I just need to get a ball rolling and I CAN get back in the game.
After all…once a rock star, always a rock star.
- What are your feelings about your career?
- Have you ever had to “start over and get back in the game” before? I think there are many areas in life where we could stagnate (relationships, health…etc).
