On careers and finding what I want

[catpuccino]

This evening started as most of my evenings do: DVDs and internet (and dinner from Friendlys, the local Khmer place across from my apartment which sells food that is decent enough to eat if I'm hungry but too lazy to walk a bit further). Usually it doesn't go any further than that. My mind is no more exercised than when I first sit down. This is

Comments

[dolorosa_12]

Eeek, dog bites! I'm glad you're all right

[catpuccino]

Yeah well we have both tested as INFP right! Think we're supposed to both be all about the inner searching and our lives needing to match our values and stuff like that... which would mean that it makes sense that we encounter similar sorts of issues! Those are the things that jump out.

And I guess of course these problems of not quite knowing what to do, but not being satisfied by this strange 9-5 world that is so prevalent in society, other people feel it too.

Our parents are always trying to push us towards something more. I guess they're just worried that we'll just settle. I know I have a tendency to want to take the easy way out of things so it's probably a legitimate concern.

And I enjoy reading your comments. I post here because I want people to respond (otherwise I could just write a private post) so I'm glad it inspires you to write whole essays! :o)

But you have found your passion with your PHD right? And it also happens to coincide with things that you're good at. I hope I'll get there eventually...

[starbucksweetie]

I agree that your job doesn't have to have meaning. I know that the alumni magazine that I create is an ancillary service for the university, where the main job is to provide education.

Regarding passion, have you read the book the $100 dollar start-up; the author states you have to find your passion and have someone pay for it (very much what Penelope says). I agree with focusing on your strengths and building upon that. People like doing things that they are good at.

Have you ever come across Marie Forleo's blog http://marieforleo.com/2011/08/combine-passions-or-choose-one/. This link is about combining your passions for following just one.

[catpuccino]

Thanks. I read about the $100 start up on Penelope's site, but wasn't sure if I wanted to read it. Part of me feels like I don't want to hear a whole bunch of "and then I did this thing and was sooo successful and it worked so well" when I can't even figure out what this thing is that I should be doing is.

The meaning stuff for me is all part of a bigger question about what everything means, not just my job, but my life. And all human existence. I'm envious that you don't need a job to have meaning.

I think the problem is that I'm essentially a lazy person. If there's no reason to be doing something, then I'd probably rather be doing nothing. :P

[starbucksweetie]

"Part of me feels like I don't want to hear a whole bunch of "and then I did this thing and was sooo successful and it worked so well" when I can't even figure out what this thing is that I should be doing is." Haha, well the book starts off with a person being fired due to budget cuts and then starts off a successful business, so I was definitely in the right mindframe when I read after I was advised unofficially that I wasn't going to be working there anymore. Anyhow, the $100 dollar start up just wants motivate people to start something and there doesn't need to be any fancy plan. I would get it out the library.

[catpuccino]

I'm not sure they have libraries here in Cambodia, nor do I think they have it, but I have an e-reader so I could probably download it. :o)