2011 THEME The Job Search Rabbit Hole

2011 THEME The Job Search Rabbit Hole Ive  traveled  near and far and met with thousands and thousands of professionals who are in pain. People who lost their jobs and their identity at the same time. People who are feeling around in the dark, trying to figure out where they are and where they are headed. People who are not sure if they fit into society anymore. People who feel worthless. People who are anxiously chasing the illusion (defined: an erroneous mental representation) that they are looking for their next job. Unfortunately, the government (and governments across the country) perpetuate this illusion.  They report economic statistics, make baseless announcements, start meaningless programs, and celebrate over the creation of fake jobs, all leading us to believe that there is indeed hope. Hope in WHAT? I have an image of a job seeker running, chasing a job, or the concept of a job. Just as a hound chases a rabbit down a rabbit hole. But, could it be that the rabbit hole has branches, and the rabbit will never be captured by the hound? Could it be the rabbit never went into the rabbit hole, and the dog is fruitlessly fighting to get deeper and deeper down the rabbit hole? Maybe the dog chased a sick rabbit, or a small, puny rabbit, or some other varmin down the hole, instead of a succulent rabbit. You get the point what if you, as a job seeker, are fighting too hard to get down a rabbit hole that has no rabbit? Or, what if what you are chasing isnt a rabbit at all? Maybe you should be chasing something else. Maybe your journey, in this job search, will lead you on a completely different path. Maybe that means starting that business you have been thinking about for years. Or buying that franchise. Or scaling back on your expenses (moving, selling a car, etc.) and taking a lower paying, less stressful, more rewarding job that isnt a defining thing, but something to pay your bills and somehow giving you more personal reward and fulfillment back in your life. Maybe it is changing professions or industries. Maybe it is taking risks that you wouldnt have taken before. Maybe it is reevaluating EVERYTHING you ever thought about your happiness, your career, etc. Maybe it is serving in more volunteer, community or society and charity organizations. Maybe it is ____________________. I think you already know what it is.  Deep down inside, its been screaming to get out, and youve been pushing it back with but I already have a job! but Im an accountant, and I cant do that!  But _____. Maybe this year it is time to let go of the BUT and do what you already know is the right thing for you. And maybe that means to never have a traditional job again. Is it time to take the corporate ladder down, put it away, and do something else? Maybe, for you, it is the opposite of anything I wrote above.  I cant know that for you but you can.  And you should. The question that will be on my mind all year is this: Are you running down the wrong rabbit hole? 2011 THEME The Job Search Rabbit Hole Ive  traveled  near and far and met with thousands and thousands of professionals who are in pain. People who lost their jobs and their identity at the same time. People who are feeling around in the dark, trying to figure out where they are and where they are headed. People who are not sure if they fit into society anymore. People who feel worthless. People who are anxiously chasing the illusion (defined: an erroneous mental representation) that they are looking for their next job. Unfortunately, the government (and governments across the country) perpetuate this illusion.  They report economic statistics, make baseless announcements, start meaningless programs, and celebrate over the creation of fake jobs, all leading us to believe that there is indeed hope. Hope in WHAT? I have an image of a job seeker running, chasing a job, or the concept of a job. Just as a hound chases a rabbit down a rabbit hole. But, could it be that the rabbit hole has branches, and the rabbit will never be captured by the hound? Could it be the rabbit never went into the rabbit hole, and the dog is fruitlessly fighting to get deeper and deeper down the rabbit hole? Maybe the dog chased a sick rabbit, or a small, puny rabbit, or some other varmin down the hole, instead of a succulent rabbit. You get the point what if you, as a job seeker, are fighting too hard to get down a rabbit hole that has no rabbit? Or, what if what you are chasing isnt a rabbit at all? Maybe you should be chasing something else. Maybe your journey, in this job search, will lead you on a completely different path. Maybe that means starting that business you have been thinking about for years. Or buying that franchise. Or scaling back on your expenses (moving, selling a car, etc.) and taking a lower paying, less stressful, more rewarding job that isnt a defining thing, but something to pay your bills and somehow giving you more personal reward and fulfillment back in your life. Maybe it is changing professions or industries. Maybe it is taking risks that you wouldnt have taken before. Maybe it is reevaluating EVERYTHING you ever thought about your happiness, your career, etc. Maybe it is serving in more volunteer, community or society and charity organizations. Maybe it is ____________________. I think you already know what it is.  Deep down inside, its been screaming to get out, and youve been pushing it back with but I already have a job! but Im an accountant, and I cant do that!  But _____. Maybe this year it is time to let go of the BUT and do what you already know is the right thing for you. And maybe that means to never have a traditional job again. Is it time to take the corporate ladder down, put it away, and do something else? Maybe, for you, it is the opposite of anything I wrote above.  I cant know that for you but you can.  And you should. The question that will be on my mind all year is this: Are you running down the wrong rabbit hole? 2011 THEME The Job Search Rabbit Hole Ive  traveled  near and far and met with thousands and thousands of professionals who are in pain. People who lost their jobs and their identity at the same time. People who are feeling around in the dark, trying to figure out where they are and where they are headed. People who are not sure if they fit into society anymore. People who feel worthless. People who are anxiously chasing the illusion (defined: an erroneous mental representation) that they are looking for their next job. Unfortunately, the government (and governments across the country) perpetuate this illusion.  They report economic statistics, make baseless announcements, start meaningless programs, and celebrate over the creation of fake jobs, all leading us to believe that there is indeed hope. Hope in WHAT? I have an image of a job seeker running, chasing a job, or the concept of a job. Just as a hound chases a rabbit down a rabbit hole. But, could it be that the rabbit hole has branches, and the rabbit will never be captured by the hound? Could it be the rabbit never went into the rabbit hole, and the dog is fruitlessly fighting to get deeper and deeper down the rabbit hole? Maybe the dog chased a sick rabbit, or a small, puny rabbit, or some other varmin down the hole, instead of a succulent rabbit. You get the point what if you, as a job seeker, are fighting too hard to get down a rabbit hole that has no rabbit? Or, what if what you are chasing isnt a rabbit at all? Maybe you should be chasing something else. Maybe your journey, in this job search, will lead you on a completely different path. Maybe that means starting that business you have been thinking about for years. Or buying that franchise. Or scaling back on your expenses (moving, selling a car, etc.) and taking a lower paying, less stressful, more rewarding job that isnt a defining thing, but something to pay your bills and somehow giving you more personal reward and fulfillment back in your life. Maybe it is changing professions or industries. Maybe it is taking risks that you wouldnt have taken before. Maybe it is reevaluating EVERYTHING you ever thought about your happiness, your career, etc. Maybe it is serving in more volunteer, community or society and charity organizations. Maybe it is ____________________. I think you already know what it is.  Deep down inside, its been screaming to get out, and youve been pushing it back with but I already have a job! but Im an accountant, and I cant do that!  But _____. Maybe this year it is time to let go of the BUT and do what you already know is the right thing for you. And maybe that means to never have a traditional job again. Is it time to take the corporate ladder down, put it away, and do something else? Maybe, for you, it is the opposite of anything I wrote above.  I cant know that for you but you can.  And you should. The question that will be on my mind all year is this: Are you running down the wrong rabbit hole?