Embarking on a Year-long Journey
Monday, March 15, 2010
This year, I have undertaken the mission of discovering myself for the purpose of figuring out where I am going.
I want to do something or be something. I’m compelled to do something with my life that doesn’t include sitting in a cubicle, working as a cog in a giant machine of a corporation. Don’t get me wrong - there’s nothing wrong with putting in your time for a company that’s worthwhile, but somehow, that just doesn’t fit me. So here I go on my journey.
The premise is simple really: just take time to learn who I am, what things I like and what I am good at. It may, in fact, sound too simple. The odd thing is that I’m one of those people who simply doesn’t take time to figure out my strengths. I am well aware of weaknesses and things I struggle with what I can do to remediate these issues, but when it comes down to it, knowing that isn’t going to propel me in one direction or another.
This year, the way I am going to explore is to:
- Talk to people who know me and can give some insight into what you think I might excel at in the world
- Try things that are new and interesting to me, things that challenge me and bring out a sense of adventure within me
- Read and research new ideas and innovations
- Listen to people who have forged their own path and are the wiser for it
I’m really excited about this! This will definitely be an adventure.
If you are one of those people who knows me and want to give input, please contact me! I’d LOVE to hear from you!
Stay tuned for more adventures in my journey of self-exploration. 
Hmm. Well you’re a good leader. All our professors remember you, you like to organize things, and you’re kind of bossy anyways.
You are an extremely hard worker, and will throw yourself into any task you choose (angel wings? haircutting?).
You make beautiful things. I like it when you create art.
You’re personable, likable, funny, attractive, and generally someone people like to hang out with.
I don’t know where all this leaves you. The leadership/charisma stuff makes me think “CEO,” but I’d love for you to be able to be creative too. It might be just a matter of finding a project you really like (keep trolling TED?), then letting your natural talent bring you through. Good luck, Kat!
Posted by on 03/15 at 02:28 PMI can’t speak highly enough of getting married and having babies!
(And we do really like Dennis! Hee hee.)
Leslie and I would love to have a pow-wow with you about this! We love you so much!!!
Posted by on 03/15 at 02:44 PMWell, I second Laura, except that babies are so much all-consuming fun that you need to just know that your plans will be derailed for a time. On one hand, baby-making is time-sensitive, and designing super-great educational software/online tools might not be. On the other hand, doing the latter won’t be easy, so you’ll need to have lots of time and focus - which you simply don’t have with an adorable, fat, needy baby to take of.
I don’t know how else to put it. When children are very young, I think that in the contest between career ambition and family, ambition loses (and it probably SHOULD lose). So, plan as best as you can. As far as I can tell, kids are awesome, life-changing, and wonderful. But they won’t get you promoted and they won’t get your start-up off the ground.
Posted by on 03/16 at 07:08 AMHi Kat, Probably one of the hardest things to do is transition from one career to your next. As you have heard in the past “don’t let go of a good vine in the jungle before grabbing on to your next vine securely” This task becomes even more complicated the further along in life you are because of things like rent, utilities, the costs of living, etc.
Your strengths include your ability to multitask, your creativity, your focus, your organizational skills, etc. You need to work on or have someone take the reigns on any projects re: charges and collection, and upfront deposits, etc.
Let’s say you chose to do photography with the intent to eventually do weddings, etc. perhaps before getting all that expensive lighting, etc. you do portfolios for would be models,(copy-edit,etc.) stuff you could do on weekends and spare time while still holding onto the “job”. You get $900 to $1,500 side money each job, get more practice, more experience, more equipment and transition eventually to bigger projects, etc.
I got lots to say so give me a call any time Kat. Good luck and God bless
Love, Gary
Posted by on 04/01 at 10:52 AM