In order to stay sharp, I've had to read a lot of books. I remember at one point I joined lumosity.com, but then I couldn't afford it anymore. Sad, but true.
One could argue that I'm really not that sharp because a colleague of mine gave me a rather simple math problem, and I started out all wrong. There was also a time that a Partner at a restructuring firm gave me a mini-case over lunch and I failed that too. You know the times when you're like, "Duh! I knew that?!" Well, that's me when it comes to cases or problems after someone gives me an answer. Why I can't figure it out the first time escapes me.
Out of all the books that I've read, and CDs or podcasts that I've listened to, every one of them says to "find your purpose."
Clayton Christensen's book, How Will You Measure Your Life, even goes so far as to define what the characteristics of a purpose are.
So what happens if you don't know what your purpose is?
When I graduated from business school, I thought my purpose was pretty defined. Spend 2-3 years in a big firm and leave to become an executive in an organization in the supply chain and operations space. Maybe even become a COO. If that didn't work out, then it was 10 years to Partner and I'm rich, b****! (See Rick James).
But what happens when something changes midstream and you find out that this isn't the path that you want to go on.
I don't have an answer.
Organizations have a duty to define a career path or progression that meets all of their employees expectations and capabilities. I honestly think that levels are a good thing. It provides a sense of advancement and seniority. I remember that I used to roll my eyes at the Sr. Consultant that was over 40. Now I'm the Consultant that's of that age.
Who's laughing now?
I think there are a lot of people out there that probably don't have a purpose or probably don't even know they should be looking for one. But for those of you that are looking for one, just know that you are not alone. Keep searching because life is too short not to find what you are really meant to do.
One could argue that I'm really not that sharp because a colleague of mine gave me a rather simple math problem, and I started out all wrong. There was also a time that a Partner at a restructuring firm gave me a mini-case over lunch and I failed that too. You know the times when you're like, "Duh! I knew that?!" Well, that's me when it comes to cases or problems after someone gives me an answer. Why I can't figure it out the first time escapes me.
Out of all the books that I've read, and CDs or podcasts that I've listened to, every one of them says to "find your purpose."
Clayton Christensen's book, How Will You Measure Your Life, even goes so far as to define what the characteristics of a purpose are.
So what happens if you don't know what your purpose is?
When I graduated from business school, I thought my purpose was pretty defined. Spend 2-3 years in a big firm and leave to become an executive in an organization in the supply chain and operations space. Maybe even become a COO. If that didn't work out, then it was 10 years to Partner and I'm rich, b****! (See Rick James).
But what happens when something changes midstream and you find out that this isn't the path that you want to go on.
I don't have an answer.
Organizations have a duty to define a career path or progression that meets all of their employees expectations and capabilities. I honestly think that levels are a good thing. It provides a sense of advancement and seniority. I remember that I used to roll my eyes at the Sr. Consultant that was over 40. Now I'm the Consultant that's of that age.
Who's laughing now?
I think there are a lot of people out there that probably don't have a purpose or probably don't even know they should be looking for one. But for those of you that are looking for one, just know that you are not alone. Keep searching because life is too short not to find what you are really meant to do.
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