Author: mymoolelo

Work-Life In The New Coronaverse

Posted on by mymoolelo

 

My how quickly things have changed. There’s life as we knew it “pre-corona” and life as we’ll know it after. And the defining elements of this new universe will be marked by masks and gloves and colored with phrases like Social Distancing, Self-Imposed Isolation and Shelter-in-Place. Wow…just wow.

Oh, the good old days. Remember when we were free to roam about our planet? Moving around countries, cities, towns, stores, companies, and social events with our carefree attitudes? Unconcerned whether the person in the adjacent airline seat, ahead of us in line at the grocery store or in the next cubicle was unknowingly spreading a potential villain with their breath or on their hands? Yikes. It does have rather sinister and surreal overtones, yet this is life now. With fingers crossed and prayers to our respective deities, let’s hope this isn’t forever, but we do need to prepare for a transition. It seems to be the start of a whole new world for us all – personally, socially and professionally. Yes, there’ll be an adjustment period but seeing as we humans are responsive, creative, adaptable creatures, I sense we’re going to be just fine in the long run.

Professionally speaking though, what can we expect? Work for many people isn’t just a four-letter word, something dreaded and awful. It’s something we love, something we’ve cultivated like crops in a garden or nurtured throughout a lifetime. Something that provides us with not only money, but purpose. How can we continue to do what we love and do it safely and efficiently, yet remotely?

Well, let’s be real, there are still a few jobs that can’t be done remotely at this time. We don’t have robots (yet?) manning grocery stores, caring for the sick, repairing cars, harvesting crops or cooking and serving in our favorite restaurants. These jobs already look different though. Grocery clerks are behind plastic screens. Caregivers are covered head to foot in PPE. Car repair technicians wipe down steering wheels with sanitizer before a test drive. There are concerns there may be shortages of field workers who can’t travel yearly to farms. Fewer tables mean less customers, so less servers will be needed. Chefs are boxing up meals for take away.

But what about those who work in a traditional office setting? How will things be different there? A few months ago, who would have thought so many people would now be working remotely? Well, some did, like savvy tech startups, forward thinking companies and innovative leaders who already knew that retaining some of the best talent means being flexible with space and time. This isn’t a new concept folks. But, for all those who’ve struggled with employers who still maintained a “tush in the cush” (I know one who said this phrase regularly) attitude emphasizing a hard-nose start to finish time in the office, hang tight because there’s change afoot.

As employees, for those of us who have already dabbled in remote work, the transition will be a bit easier. For those who haven’t there’ll be an adjustment period but trust me, you’ll get used to it. You grow to like not worrying about getting home to walk the dog or checking if the kids are ok, because they’re right there with you. This can also present a challenge, well, because they’re right there with you. The dog will to tell you when he or she has to go out and even the quietest of kids need attention. So when you’re struggling to focus without distraction, just think of the money your saving on “work clothes”, commuting, and lunches out.  

For employers, virtual meetings and file sharing have become regular occurrences with staff. With the ability to connect distantly, costs associated with in person meetings, seminars and conferences have diminished. With slashed budgets, this mode of sharing information will be more desired than ever before. And employers now have to do what some find unimaginable, actually trust that their employees are doing their job. 

So, business as usual is now business as unusual. Yet, some business is still getting done. People will find a way. It’s what we do. And work-life in the new coronaverse will be the same as before, only different…a new brand version of both order and chaos, working side by side.

 

Photo by Greg Rakozy on Unsplash

When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Sweet Lavender Basil Lemonade

Posted on by mymoolelo

 

A few months ago, the word pandemic was a term recognized by many as either from an 8th grade history lesson or a futuristic sci fi book or movie. Yet here we are, stuck at home, learning more than we ever thought possible about viruses, cytokine storms, hydroxychloroquine, and how to make a face mask with a t-shirt and vacuum filter. The rest of us are perhaps sitting around waiting for something (heck, anything!) to give us a sense of normalcy. Admittedly, I waffle between both camps depending upon my mood of the day, hour, or minute.

Those with jobs still intact are adjusting to varied work hours, shared or limited space for a home office and navigating virtual meetings. Family, pets and tense news updates can be persistent distractions.

Those furloughed are navigating the unknown with additional stress and anxiety, wondering when (or if!) they’ll have jobs to come back to. Days are now spent applying for unemployment or deferring mortgages, auto and student loan payments.

Now that the shock of social distancing and isolation has settled in, I find myself contemplating “what’s next”. And yes, for most of us thankfully, there’ll be a “what’s next”. But, with the added uncertainty, what does “what’s next” look like? Particularly in relation to our careers and our work? Only time will tell, but perhaps hitting the “universal pause” button is a chance for us to think about how we really want to continue to spend our time, energy, money, skills and talent.

Maybe it’s time to consider going back to school? With online academics, it’s possible to get that degree you’ve talked about for ages. If not a full degree, maybe a certification or targeted course to expand your skill set and open up new “post pandemic” opportunities. How about beginning to write that novel, paint that picture or start that blog/vlog? Perhaps you’ve been inspired to take action and volunteer for a worthy cause. Or…maybe all this has you thinking that retirement is something that just simply can’t wait any longer.

Whatever it is, let’s take this time – and all the lemons that life has recently given us – to do something extraordinary. Let’s make lemonade. But why settle for making ordinary lemonade when there’s finally time to try out a whole new recipe, something brave and bold? Let’s give ourselves permission to dream, plan and create. To set a new course of action or continue with new direction.

My grandmother (gone, but not forgotten) used to say, “Life is what you make of it”. The same grandmother who survived the 1918 Pandemic as a young 18-year-old woman, so perhaps she had a little experience and wisdom that’s also relevant today. Me? I’m following her advice (and my own) and taking the time to dream, plan, and create. I’m finally taking that course I’ve been meaning to start ages ago. I’m writing again. For myself. Something I put on the back burner for far too long.

See…I have these lemons and making plain old, regular lemonade just isn’t going to cut it for me anymore. So, I’ve decided to make Sweet Lavender Basil Lemonade. Because why not? And because I want my “what’s next” to be extraordinary.

 

Photo by Randy Fath on Unsplash

Scary Movie: Oh Wait…It’s Real!

Posted on by mymoolelo

 

I think it’s fair to say for many right now, current pandemic events have us feeling like we’ve fallen deep into a glacial crevasse, not knowing which way is out. Or maybe pushed along by the avalanche of life, tumbling through the white snow, yet somehow in the dark, wondering which way is up. Maybe we feel we’re being chased by unseen forces or suspect the only thing missing these days is for the mothership to land and take over. Or maybe the scary clown will jump out of the bushes next. Our finances, homes, personal relationships, jobs, and professional aspirations, not to mention most importantly, our physical lives and the lives of our beloved family and friends, are fragile, vulnerable and in jeopardy.

Excuse the crassness, but that’s some real scary shit. The stuff that good (in a bad way), suspenseful, nail biting movies are made of. The scary kind that leave you with terrible dreams at night for weeks on end. Sometimes I feel we’re all involved in some weird existential, global, interactive play or game we don’t recollect signing up for. At least I don’t.

So, how do you cope? How do you move ahead when the world and life is pushing you down and backwards at the same time? Well, my instinct tells me to dig in deep, don’t let go, and just breathe.

Here’s a few practical things that I’m doing as I dig deep during these unprecedented times. Some of them help me cope, others will hopefully prepare me for “What’s Next”, when the world and our lives get back toward some semblance of order.

  • Limiting my daily news intake. It’s just too much to take at times.
  • Revisiting my small library of books (both actual and virtual), rereading some favs. It’s like visiting old friends.
  • Meditating and self-reflecting – considering what’s important, sifting through what’s worth my time and energy, and decisively eliminating what’s not.
  • Cooking and baking daily and keeping it simple with meat, natural starches, fruits and vegetables. Viruses and inflammation love sugar, so therefore I do not.  
  • Treasuring people I value, personally and professionally, and who value me. Reconnecting through virtual happy hours, long phone conversations, and deep philosophical discussions.
  • Distancing myself from unappreciative energy vampires, scary members in the cast of characters, unrecognized until social distancing and self-isolation became household words.
  • Cleaning up files and going through a major reorg of both finished and unfinished projects.
  • Developing new skills through online virtual training – practical skills I can use when this scary movie is over, and we get back to the art of living.
  • Maintaining an exercise routine and also getting in more outdoor walks. (Mother Nature could be a little kinder though. 30F degree days with fresh snowfall on April 16th in the Great Lakes region is a little much to bear. Then again, the set adds nicely to the scary movie plot.)
  • Connecting virtually with colleagues, professional organizations and associations.
  • Finally, writing again. Something I haven’t had much time to do for myself because I’ve been too busy with other projects and it was pushed to the wayside.

So, when I finally “walk out of the theatre” after this scary movie is over, the practical things I do today, will serve as the credits that roll by on the screen, and I’ll gratefully honor the steps that helped get me through it all.

The Emperor’s New Resume

Posted on by mymoolelo

The Emperor’s New Resume

I love Januarys and as cliché as it sounds, I’m all for “out with the old and in with the new”.  In January each year, I like to give my closets a complete overhaul, get rid of outdated or worn out items, and be excited about replacing old things with some new style. Anything in my wardrobe that doesn’t “Wow Me” any longer gets a swift move on, to either a new owner via donating, or to the trash bin if it’s worn out.

I feel the same way about resumes and LinkedIn profiles this time of year also.  It’s a good time to reflect on what the last year brought about career-wise, and where you want to move ahead.  Perhaps you aren’t immediately looking for a new work opportunity, but trust me, when something enticing comes along, you’ll wish you gave that resume an earlier review.  Even if nothing is new in your experience (which I always doubt when clients tell me this), there are perhaps some new keywords or presentation style that could use a revamp.

Here’s just a few tips to help you get started start on your Resume Re-Org.

 

Reflect on what’s new or different with your current job

Much as our waistline may grow and shrink from year to year, so does our current employment responsibilities, accomplishments, professional development, and career interests.  Your LinkedIn profile also needs to reflect the changes as well.  Job searching methodologies also change and perhaps your resume needs to be reformatted to address current online application protocols. How about those old work experiences?  Do you really need to go back 25 years? Probably not.

 Update your resume’s file extension

I still see people sending resumes that still are written in old versions of word processing.  They just keep adding to a current resume and don’t reformat using the latest software. I get that it’s quick to do it this way but may not be effective in the long run. My advice, if you’re still submitting a resume with an old version of Word, for example a .doc, go ahead and make your updates and save it as a docx. Why you ask? Well, for one, at some point you will likely have to do this anyway, as ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) modernize, they will be less likely to accept that 1997 – 2003 version.

Think about that…1997 is over twenty years ago! I can almost bet that you aren’t wearing the same clothes from 1997 either because they’re out of style or just don’t fit any longer, so why would your resume be wearing the same format from then.  I’m all for nostalgia, but not in a job search! Another reason has to do with the psychology of the job search.  Many hiring managers want to see resumes and job search documents created in newer software, to show that the applicant is current in technology trends.

 Introduce new keywords and a new style

Now I’m not encouraging everyone to jump on the band wagon for the latest trends, but introducing just a little something new to your resume, just as in your closet, can do wonders for your job search self-esteem.  Adding new keywords related to your industry skill set is uber important and let’s face it, presentation style is important too.  Together, these elements can work together to get you noticed.

The beauty of resumes is that unlike a closet that has limited space,  you don’t have to commit to permanently getting rid of resume information.  You can save old versions to look back on or reference as needed, but use those older versions to create a brand new, shiny resume that will get you noticed!

 Ask the right people to review your resume

We’ve all heard the story about the emperor’s new clothes, right?  The people who knew the emperor best, didn’t want to tell him his clothes (or lack thereof!) were an issue.  Sometimes friends and family mean well when they offer advice on resume style, but may not always have the most current, accurate  information.  Or, maybe they have a hard time telling you that your resume is a “ho hum yawn”. Consider hiring a professional resume writer to provide a resume review if you’re the DIY type.  If you don’t want to do the heavy lifting, you can hire someone who knows the ropes in your industry to design and write it for you.  In either case, you’ll get be prepared to move ahead in your job search.

Ok 2019…you’re really here. So, let’s get into those resumes (and closets!), declutter, and upgrade our style.  And, maybe uncover an amazing opportunity as a result of the effort!

Job Loss, Change, & Metamorphosis

Posted on by mymoolelo

Job Loss, Change, and Metamorphosis

I’ve been thinking a lot about the word “change” lately in relation to job loss.  By definition the noun form of the word means, “the act or instance of making or becoming different”, and there’s no question that a sudden job loss is defined by change in its truest and very unsettling meaning.  But, what’s interesting is that when you look deeper at synonyms for the word change, some other words arise.  Adjustment and modification are expected, but look at some others such as, transformation, reconstruction, and metamorphosis!  My personal favorite happens to be metamorphosis.

Many of us have experienced sudden, unpredicted job loss either first-hand or through the people we know and love.  Job loss initially invokes (and rightfully so!) shock, fear, anxiety, and perhaps even loss and grief.  For those of us that put a lot of heart and soul into our work, it can even seem more unsettling.  Maybe we didn’t want to leave our job, perhaps we’ve developed an extended family in our workplace, and maybe, like many of us, we’re unprepared for the financial stresses associated with a sudden job loss.  Perhaps our confidence is shaken, and we feel we won’t find work again.  Well, I say two things about those thoughts. One, there is ALWAYS, ALWAYS work to be done in the world, so that statement is null and void. Second, try to let go (even a little bit) of those negative thoughts and take a little bit of time to focus on yourself. 

 

Below are some tips to help navigate the transition.

Then…let’s reflect on the word metamorphosis!

 

Give yourself a little break!  Take a little bit of time to let the shock, anger, and grief pass through. Maybe it’s a week, a few weeks, or a month.  Everyone is different, but also be aware that the longer the negative thoughts continue, the longer the change process will take.  I’ve seen people still not able to get past job loss years later, yes years!  Pay attention to your feelings, as they’re expected, but if you’re focusing on the negative for too long, it may be harder to reach something positive.

 

Get your ducks in a row.  Take some time to look at the actual “data” associated with your finances. Know money-wise, just what you need (need, not want!), to get through the next 1 -3 months.  And, you may have to consider forgoing that Grande Mocha Frappuccino with a double shot of espresso for just a bit.

 

Call in the troops! Now’s the time to not be shy and to let your network of friends, family, professional and personal acquaintances help you through the transition…the same as you would do for them.  Find “the doers” in your support group and not just the ones who will wallow with you in self-pity (although there’s a little place for them too, in small doses!) It’s amazing how much people want to assist others, so let others help!  And, they might even treat you to that occasional Grande Mocha Frappuccino with a double shot of espresso!

 

Develop an action plan. Do you need a resume or CV updated? When was the last time you updated your LinkedIn profile? Have job search and online applications changed since the last time you looked for a position? Probably! Take some time to update your professional resources and then develop a realistic plan of how many positions you will apply for daily/weekly.  Job searching today needs to be targeted and tailored, so don’t just be willy nilly and apply for anything and everything out of panic.  Those types of job searches rarely are productive.

 

Make some time for self-care. Although the initial desire may be to avoid people, the gym or even the mirror…keep some of your daily routines.  Get up at a regular time, open the blinds, get dressed for the day (get out of those pity party jammies, as appealing as they may seem!), hit the gym, and spend some time talking to people throughout the day.  If you don’t have a defined routine because work and personal life took precedence, now may be the time to start one, and focus on YOU!  Grab a buddy and go for a hike, take that yoga or spinning class you’ve been considering.  Getting some exercise helps oxygenate the brain and you’ll think clearer.

 

Reflect on the word metamorphosis and what it could mean for you! Think about the possibilities of what “work” could look like next year at this time.  Will you return to school and be a student again?  Could you be in a whole new industry or even a different part of the country… or world!  Perhaps you’ll come to the realization that your last position was holding you back from pursuing other amazing opportunities.  I’ve seen people transform their lives in new, unexpected ways, so give yourself permission to consider the possibilities!

 

Caterpillars, those weird, furry, little creatures don’t wake up one day and say, “Yeah, I just don’t feel like changing today”.  Their change happens regardless, and the result is spectacular to say the least. Job loss is change.  Change is metamorphosis.  Metamorphosis is a spectacular process.  Face it…embrace it…and you may soon be pleasantly surprised at what emerges!

 

by Christine Demcie

Fly-Fishing & The Gig Economy

Posted on by mymoolelo

Fly Fishing & The Gig Economy

If you haven’t ever taken the chance to go fishing, I highly recommend giving it a go.  Yes…it can get messy, yes…the fish can be smelly, and yes…it can get a little cold depending upon the time of year, but it’s also a truly incredible experience.  Over the years I’ve grabbed the opportunities to fish both for fun (catch and release) in Ontario, Canada and for food (dinner!) in Upstate New York and Alaska.  What I learned through these experiences is that the type of fish you’re looking to catch, determines the skill set you need to bring to the water.  For example, fishing in the turbulent waters of the Lower Niagara River in Ontario, Canada for small mouth bass where you may get a nice little fight that keeps you very actively engaged, is quite different from fishing for halibut in Homer, Alaska, where you need to rely purely on shear strength, as it’s more akin to raising a barn door off the ocean floor (biceps…don’t fail me!)  

 

I remember watching the movie, A River Runs Through It back in the 90’s, where the complexities of the characters’ lives were navigated and understood through the art of fly-fishing.  I decided then, that one day I’d get to Montana, stand in a cold river with hip waders, surrounded by beautiful nature, and try my hand at fly-fishing.  Although all fishing requires some level of ability, fly-fishing seems an art onto itself.  Knowing when to cast, where to cast, and how to cast, requires a combination of technique, timing and luck.  It also requires a zen-like, meditative patience and the ability to become “one” with your surroundings and the act itself.  It’s contemplative casting in the hopes that you’ll get “get a bite” and when that bite comes I can only imagine that it’s exhilarating, exciting and worth it.

 

Working in today’s gig economy can seem very similar to fly-fishing at times and I think there are a few takeaways to be learned from this sport/art, to assist the adventuresome souls who embark on this particular career journey.

Here’s a few tips:

 

Fish with a buddy. Fishing 101 tells us not to go it alone and it’s the same with gig work. Connect with other freelancers and like-minded professionals in your industry.  LinkedIn is a great tool to start with, and later consider joining gig groups or creating discussion forums.  These are great ways to stay engaged and keep in touch with industry trends and trendsetters.  As freelance professionals, you can bounce ideas off each other and it keeps the work way more fun in my opinion.

 

Keep your tackle box filled with various lures.  As a freelancer, you’ll find that everyday is going to require a different approach to finding work. One day, you may be at a networking event, the next day at your computer for hours on end answering referral emails.  Other days you may be writing articles about your industry or scheduling appointments with key persons who may offer additional work.  The takeaway here is to be flexible and be willing to “cast off” with different lures from time to time, to see what type of opportunity takes a nibble on the line.  And, when the nibble comes, pull back and set the hook!

 

Be patient. The fish (or clients!) may not be biting today, but tomorrow the river could be filled, so be ready!  Use slow times to catch up on record keeping, investigate new software or technology that can assist your work, or update a skill with additional training or credentials.  Downtime can also be used to update your online profiles, develop a vlog or redesign your website.  Freelance work tends to ebb and flow like the tide, so use quiet times to get organized and be ready.

 

Know when to find a new fishing spot or cast off in a different direction.  Some fishing spots just don’t cut it.  They’re either over-fished, under-stocked, or you just might get bored looking at the same scenery after awhile.  Whatever the case, don’t feel bad about trying a new location or technique.  You may have to think in new ways and try something different that’s out of your comfort zone.  Offer to present a free workshop through an area group or local Chamber of Commerce.  Start a conversation with someone in a grocery line, giving some free advice and your business card for future reference.  Add a new service to your business or focus on a niche market for awhile to see if you can gain some momentum.  Fly-fishing requires being in touch with your surroundings and using your intuition to gauge when the time is right to cast in a different direction or to wade in a little deeper.

 

Fishing isn’t for everyone, I get that.  And, neither is freelancing and/or independent contract work in the rapid growing gig economy.  But those who decide to try it out, are usually seeking the flexibility and autonomy that a traditional workplace may not offer.  There are trade-offs such as consistency and stability for the professional adventure of charting your own territory and doing things “your way”.  A steady paycheck for monetary droughts and floods.  I also imagine that most fly fishers, don’t head to the river with the number of fish in mind that they want to catch for the day.  They’re doing it for the experience of being at one with their surroundings and doing something they just plain enjoy it.  So, if you love what you do, but not necessarily where you’re doing it, or how your being told to do it, maybe you’re a fly-fisher too, just waiting to get out there, cast your line and yell “Fish On!”.

 

by Christine Demcie

 

Cat Litter For Your Career

Posted on by mymoolelo

Cat Litter For Your Career

Growing up and coming of age in both Western New York & Southern Ontario, particularly living in the country, you tend to learn a thing or two about driving in tough road conditions. Between the mud caused by excessive rain, deep snow and treacherous icy spots, figuring out the quickest and safest way to “keep moving” becomes a natural occurrence, it happens so often.  If I hadn’t learned a few tricks to navigate these inclement conditions, I would probably have either never left home from December to April, or would inevitable still be stuck somewhere, wheels spinning and never moving forward.

 

One of the tricks I learned however, is that cat litter is an incredible, practical resource to help a vehicle get moving again, particularly when the conditions get rough.  Yes…good old fashioned clay cat litter, and keeping a bucket or bag in the trunk of your car is always a good idea in the Northern climes.  Throwing a few scoops under spinning tires seemingly going nowhere, will create traction and miraculously help you get “unstuck”.  I can tell you first-hand that this trick really does work!

 

So how can cat litter help with careers? Well, we’ve all perhaps been there at one time or another…stuck.  Stuck in either a dead-end position, perhaps not making the salary we deserve, or worse yet, unfulfilled by the work we do.  Maybe we just don’t relate to our co-workers, have a supervisor who has no desire to see other potential in us, or maybe our current general working environment is just plain awful.  Hey, it unfortunately happens, but keeping a resource handy that’s akin to cat litter, can get your career moving forward again!

 

During a particular time in my career when I was contemplating other possibilities, I found myself “still” contemplating options a few years later.  Yes, that’s right…a few years later.  I was completely stuck and absorbed in contemplation mode, couldn’t seem to make a move and was “spinning my wheels”, so to speak.  Then, I decided to throw down some career cat litter!  It came in the form of a part-time job that had absolutely nothing to do with my current career.  Nothing…nada…zip.  I decided to spend some time doing something completely different and well out of my comfort zone,  and I became a catering assistant for a gourmet chef.

 

I’ll say this about my gourmet catering gig. It was hands down one of the hardest, yet most fun work I had ever done.  I met new people, learned new things and came home both completely exhausted and completely exhilarated.  I never once had a desire to completely abandon my current career for one in catering, but a wonderful thing occurred.  I started to think in new ways.  I gained a new sense of confidence achieved from learning something new and doing something completely different, and was finally ready to to move ahead.  So, I made some concrete plans and six months later, changed positions for my day job, took a leap of action, and moved my career forward.  I had finally become “unstuck” after years of contemplation.

 

So, if you feel stagnant in your current position or career, go ahead and throw down some career cat litter! Maybe it’s a part-time job,  extra per diem work, or a volunteer position.  Perhaps it’s related to your career, or perhaps it’s not. Take a class, try a new hobby, start a blog, join a new group, or perhaps freelance your talents.  Your own career cat litter may be just what you need to help you gain some traction, stop spinning your wheels, get “unstuck” and move forward!

 

by Christine Demcie

 

Hats & Work

Posted on by mymoolelo

Hats & Work: A not-so-typical career perspective

 

You may be wondering what hats and work have to do with each other, but trust me, they can be very connected.  Hats are interesting things and serve many purposes.  They can protect, such as a sun visor or winter toque.  They can provide utility, as with a hard hat or a magician’s hat that produces astonishing surprises. They can be symbolic of an event or holiday, think of the Kentucky Derby or Santa.  Or, they can just be decorative, as is the case with ladies’ fascinators on the runway or at weddings.  They’re interesting because they’re incredibly personal.  We all may know someone who says “That’s my favorite hat!” or who proclaims “I’m not really a hat person!”  We can even make assumptions about a person, based upon the type of hat they’re wearing.  If we see a picture of a lady in the Royal Family, a baseball player, or a Native American tribal chief, we get a sense of their roles.

 

One of my favorite sayings when people ask about my own life and/or career journey is, “I have worn many hats!”, and I truly mean this statement both literally and figuratively.  My closet has a shelf filled with hats and at one time or another; I’ve worn every single one of them. Vintage hats, winter hats, sun hats, cowboy hats, baseball caps, and head scarves. Some I’ve worn because they served a distinct purpose or utility, while others were just for fun. Trying out and wearing so many different hats is also strangely symbolic of how I view the world of work.  I have worked on a farm, in an airplane, a kitchen, a salon, a storefront, an office building, a studio, a college, on the road and from home.  I have planted, cooked, served, primped, coached, sold, coordinated, administered, designed, presented and created.  Some of these jobs I’ve done simultaneously, others I’ve embarked on singularly.  I’ve met and worked with many people, travelled to many places, and tried many new things, hence, the statement; “I have worn many hats!” is quite fitting for me.   Possibly one of the biggest things that I’ve learned from this journey and wearing all of these hats, is deciding the ones I like, the ones that “fit”, and the ones I definitely don’t like or just don’t “fit”.

 

Sometimes we get stuck in a career rut.  Perhaps our daily tasks, overall job satisfaction, salary, location, or co-workers, may not “fit” us any longer.  If that’s the case, I say, “Try on a new hat!”  There’s many to choose from! What’s the worst that can happen…it doesn’t fit? Eventually goes out of style?  Needs to be replaced?  Looks silly?  If you’re not ready to commit to a completely new style of hat, that’s okay.  Maybe you just wear this new hat on the weekends…with a part-time gig that supports your interest and inquiry into a new industry.  Perhaps you try the freelance hat for a bit…doing some consulting or design work.  How about trying on a super unique, artistic hat with flair…and pursue that dream of working in theatre, or as a stand-up comic.  Maybe the hat you choose next looks more like a construction hat…and you volunteer, fixing up homes for a not-for-profit.  No one says you have to throw out your full time, standby hat, just think about adding on a weekend style hat, too.  If nothing else, trying on a new hat may be just what you need to break old habits about work that don’t serve you any longer, and discover a new way of thinking.  Perhaps, even a new career!  You’ll meet new people, learn new skills, and see new things!  Maybe you’ll decide that your own hat fits just fine afterall.  Perhaps you’ll end up like me, with a closet full of hats, insight into many industries, knowing interesting people from all walks of life, and great stories to share.

 

Now I’m not saying that my journey is the right journey or that there haven’t been twists, turns, or bumps along the road, but trying on and wearing many hats has served me well and has taken me to the place I am today.  Most importantly, it has been my journey and I wear that hat, and all of my awesome, practical, silly, unique hats with a complete sense of pride!  That said; I’ll now take off my writer’s hat and tuck it away on the shelf in my closet…until the next time I need it!

 

Christine Demcie