What is your ultimate job (or life) description?
October 1st, 2008
If you could do anything to make a living, what would you do? And why?
It’s a lighthearted (and somewhat trite) question, but a serious one too. Unfortunately, I think people struggle with this emotional inquiry everyday.
I am NOT talking ninth grade, school guidance counselor crap…e.g., “Billy, what do you want to be when you grow up?” No. I am talking about the real deal. You have lost your job, or something inside of you has clicked and you decide - now is that time, I am going to pursue the life/job that I have always wanted.
With the present economic and financial situation (ruin?) happening in the USA I started to think about what would happen if I had to get a real job and what the heck would I do? Don’t get me wrong, owning the Palmetto Guesthouse B&B here in Culebra is a REAL job seven days a week.
But, if people stop traveling because they don’t have money, well, I will either need to create a new job for myself or go out hunting for employment. Which would be sad because I am trying to keep the dream alive for people, so that they realize they DON’T have to be stuck in a cube…
One of my Last Job Opportunities
I can still distinctly remember Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) offering me a really cool job as one of the leads on their Global Spatial Data Infrastructure (GSDI) project a few years ago. Essentially I would have been creating a universal worldwide set of mapping data and associated attribute information that would all line up and fit seamlessly together (much harder to do than it sounds). However, when they told me that I could not work remotely, we were living in Samoa at the time, I had to turn them down because I could not see myself living in San Bernadino or Redlands, California (nothing against those great places).
Thinking About a Job
Yesterday, for the first time in a very long time, I decided to go and look at an employment site just for kicks because of the economy. Man, it was damn scary! I think I glanced over 100 jobs looking for something that described me and…nothing, not even a scrap resonated with me.
Later, when I went for my run in the afternoon, I suddenly found myself thinking -
“What would my ultimate job description (besides retirement) be?“
I like what Chris Brogan is doing as a social media evangelist and as the unofficial mayor of “Twittertown” but he is well established, with a reputation that would be very hard to replicate. Then there is Becky McCray who helps small businesses to successfully use and figure out all of this online stuff, and I thought, that would be pretty cool.
Additionally, I must say, the work that Pam Slim is currently doing, wrangling corporate types and helping them to figure out that there is life beyond the cube, is very inspiring! I could seriously see myself trying to help people to lead the lives that they were meant to lead and not one that they think they “have” to lead.
However, before I get to me, I asked some folks on Twitter “What would be your ultimate job or life description be?” and here are the replies I got:
Pam Slim - write about things I love for people I care about. That would be ideal!
Sean Bohan - Educator helping clients & users navigate digital waters including social software, advertising, user experience & strat. Or woodworker :)
Terence Chang - My ultimate job will be paid to travel luxury for life and work 4 hours a week online.
Daniel Kam - to build people up through encouragement, getting one another to be our best in the areas we are strong in, & have fun while doing so!
David Cubed - New Media Expert Business
Mark Salinas - My ultimate job is to participate in fitness activities that support a good cause! (Editor’s note: http://trainforhumanity.org)
Stephen Cooper - I’m doing it right now…working as a personal trainer
Katie McCarthy - great person
Liz Scherer - to be able to tap into creative resources that insure that women’s healthcare needs are efficiently & effectively addressed.
Ed Healy - to be content
Emil Sotirov - hiker…
My response, the job and or the company that I would consider going back to work for, must contain the following elements:
- be able to work remotely
- rewards innovation and creativity
- have happy, optimistic people
- part of the work must involve giving back (in some form)
- would entail networking, promotion, and connecting like-minded individuals
- no middle-management
- *health insurance - why is health insurance now considered a luxury item?
What the above qualifies me for (or as) I am not really sure, but if you know of anyone looking for this type of person, please let me know. :)
Or, how about If I had to create my own job (remember I said you can do anything) and work for myself?:
I have always had this fantasy of running a landscaping business during the summer on either Nantucket or Block Island for six months and then traveling, making documentary movies, and surfing for the other six months. In reality this is probably not possible at this stage with three dogs to look after, but I’m not giving up hope.
How about you, if you could do anything to make a living, what would you do? Why?
(Editor’s note: please don’t forget Train for Humanity http://trainforhumanity.org we are training to make a difference in Darfur. A blog post or Twitter message about what we are trying to do is greatly appreciated.)
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October 1st, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Any job that provided the essentials for living a full live, which, in my opinion would include
Engaging activity that has meaning and purpose and makes a contribution to humanity
The opportunity to relate authentically with co workers who are adults and live for something besides creature comforts and the cravings of their egos
Pay related to productivity (not measured in widgets but creative results that meet the goals)
Flexible hours affording
A balance between rest, leisure, productivity
Health care and nature in close proximity (with bike trails and paths)
Reasonable proximity to a travel hub
Dependable cell phone signals
the opportunity to use alternative energy (preferably wind, thermal, solar)
October 1st, 2008 at 8:27 pm
I am pretty happy doing what I am right now, building websites which I then try to monetize. It would be nice to be earning a little more money, but to be honest I can’t complain :).
October 1st, 2008 at 10:26 pm
Heya! Thanks for linking me here (Daniel Kam). Yeah, I’m left with less than 3 months before I can choose to look for jobs.
It’s a good way to rediscover or crystallize our visions and also to realign our current work-life with our goals (mission) by asking ourselves on what is our ultimate job-description.
All the best Mark!
October 1st, 2008 at 10:54 pm
WOW! Another great post. It got me thinking about my dream job after looking at what other people said.
If I have chance to rephrase, I won’t even use JOB at all. Job always means to me that we are working for money. We work because we enjoy it.
Anyway, thank you for sharing!
October 2nd, 2008 at 4:18 am
Hi Mark!
Thanks for the link! I love this post - it’s truly fodder for thought because regardless of the economic downturn, it’s good to check in with ourselves from time and time and ask if we’re doing things that make us happy. Sometimes life has a way of dishing out a bunch of roadblocks but ultimately, if you have a destination and a commitment, you can find a way there.
BTW, check in with me in 5 years. The “ultimate” might be something completely different. But that’s what makes it so interesting, right?!
October 2nd, 2008 at 5:12 am
I often think to myself where do I want to be? What do I want to be doing? What would be better than being active, keeping fit and promoting a good cause? (http://trainforhumanity.org)you are there my friend! Thanks for the mention. Nice post!
October 2nd, 2008 at 5:22 am
When you work out what that qualifies you for you’ll let me know right?
October 2nd, 2008 at 5:49 am
I’m doing it! Gave up my job last year to travel for 6 months then concentrate on taking pictures for a living.
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:38 am
Hi Mark,
Thanks for the mention.
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Hi Mark - I was worried at the beginning of your post because I thought all this concern over the economy was going to drive you back to the cube.
Me - I love to write but I don’t think that would ever be enough for me. I’ve been putting a plan together over the last few months because I’d really like to help freelancers and small business owners grow their businesses and overcome a lot of the stress and hassle you get when you don’t have a clue what you’re doing.
I’ve had hard times in business and good times. And I’m tired of seeing new business owners being scammed by folk who have written a book, or who are peddling whatever, giving them a heap of hype and bullshit, not because it works but just to make money.
Heck - that was a big sentence. Now I really like your idea of landscaping, documentaries and surfing - but I think you’ve got to teach those dogs how to surf first.
October 2nd, 2008 at 6:17 pm
I love Cath’s suggestion that you teach the dogs how to surf! There was a guy at my local beach when I was a teenager whose dog used to paddle out to where he sat waiting for the waves and try and get on the board. He did take him for a run a few times, but I don’t think the dog liked it. he just wanted to be with his master, not on the actual wave.
I find this question seemingly easy to answer, but in reality not. I always say that I would like to be a best selling novelist/public speaker who travels the world lecturing, writing and running workshops, but I’m starting to think it’s more simple than that. I care much more about expressing myself, connecting with others and experiencing new things than I do about being a “best selling” author.
So, I guess what I really want is a job where I get to:
1. write about whatever I like: fiction, travel, women’s issues, personal development etc
2. travel the world and live remotely if I choose
3. meet lots of different and inspiring people
4. work on a flexible schedule so I can keep my son as my first priority
5. learn new things, challenge myself, and
6. inspire others to embrace themselves and life more completely
The problem is I don’t believe this combination is possible as a money earner. I’m starting to think this is why I have put no effort into becoming a professional blogger because at my core I think I can’t earn money writing about what I want and being true to myself. I see it as only possible if I compromise who I am and target myself to be what others want me to be.
Jesus, reading back over that makes me feel like I am still a right nutcase!
Kelly
October 3rd, 2008 at 4:13 am
Kelly - I think there’s almost always a way to get paid for doing what you love. The answers will probably come to you when you’re least expecting it.
October 3rd, 2008 at 7:11 am
*Hi CKris Jansen - like your description, “Engaging activity that has meaning and purpose and makes a contribution to humanity.” Good stuff!
*Hey Daniel - yeah, revisiting goals from time to time is important…especially in the seemingly unstable world that we currently live in.
*Hi Mike - are you making good money from the websites? What’s your niche?
*Hey Terence - not such a great post…but thanks for your kind words. :) I agree that the word job needs to be rephrased and somehow interwoven with your existence.
Hi MizLiz - we expect a full report back here in five years!
Mark - I am looking forward to seeing what you come up with for your idea. :)
Hey Ross - if I figure it out I will call you immediately!!
*Bridget - where are you traveling to? And congrats!
*Coop - anytime!
*Cath - that sounds like a very worthwhile project you have got brewing. Will you be writin a book to help small biz folks? Or, something online?
*Kelly - agreed it seems like a high school guidance counselor BS question but at its root, I think, there can be real value. Too, I think you could earn a living doing what you have listed above, but I assume it’s also a struggle between family and those goals…?
October 4th, 2008 at 12:22 am
I quit my corporate job few years back pursuing my dream. I was looking for a job that can help other a human being and at the same time gives me an income that can support myself. Lots of ups and downs…finally I found one - early childhood educator and writer. Still lots of pebbles in front of me, but it’s fulfilling!
October 4th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
A paid athlete would be awesome!
November 2nd, 2008 at 3:31 am
Working as a cake decorator would be awesome. Not those cheap Dairy Queen cakes… But real custom cakes.
Every customer would want something different, it would be a challenge to please them and make something beautiful and creative.
I’ve always made them for family members, but have no idea how to really get into the business…
I guess I’ll just keep watching ‘Charm City Cakes’ on Food Network until then.