This month’s career collective topic is “foolishness’ and job search/career (it is April 1!). I won’t offer specific tactics to avoid making a fool of yourself (I’ll leave that up to the other creative bloggers). But in my coaching practice, I get to see how people fool themselves and I’ll share my thoughts on that.
Do you second guess every career move you make – or don’t make? Do you think twice, maybe three times, with every chance for something more – whether to ask for that raise, seek the promotion or look for a new job -because you’re unsure if you can do it?
Chronic illness puts up all sorts of roadblocks –pain, fatigue or disabling symptoms — while you’re trying to live your life. For some, it’s natural to stay upbeat and positive about the world, not matter what shows up. But then there are those who think that life is out to get them. They figure it’s best not to try too hard rather than deal with more disappointment.
But it’s not like chronically ill people have cornered this market. There are many reasons people behave like “fools”. In one of his last great movie roles, Nobody’s Fool, Paul Newman (who sadly died recently) plays Scully, a “healthy” man who spent his life gaming every system. Determined not to be played for a fool, he managed not to engage too strenuously in life, altogether. Never quite “losing” , he’s no winner, either.
That can happen easily when you live with illness. Have you lost the energy (desire?) to take any risks at all? Maybe you’re one of the many who are bored, underemployed or treated poorly but you tell yourself you’re satisfied you show up and keep your job. Or maybe you’re unemployed and tell yourself you’d rather be unemployed than be miserable at work.
Understandable. But how’ s it going?
Every once in a while, it’s a good idea to take a good look at how we’re living our lives, how we’re fulfilling our intentions, how we’re playing the hand we’re dealt (for more on this topic, download my article, Playing the Hand You’re Dealt, cicoach.com). This means knowing your strengths and your limitations and then searching for the opportunities that exist if you can only see them.
Can you take this April Fool’s Day to take a good, clear look at your beliefs and behavior regarding a career? Are you wondering how you can be sure you’re not fooling yourself? You can’t. But asking the question is a good place to start.
Now go look at the other bloggers and see what they have to offer to you!
If It’s Not You and It’s Not True, You’re Fooling Yourself @GayleHoward http://www.theexecutivebrand.com/2010/04/02/if-its-not-you-and-its-not-true-youre-fooling-yourself
Don’t Kid Yourself! (The Person You See in the Mirror is a Good Hire) @chandleehttp://emergingprofessional.typepad.com/best_fit_forward/2010/04/the_bet.html
Avoiding Most Common Blunders @jobhuntorghttp://www.job-hunt.org/job-search-news/2010/04/01/avoiding-most-common-blunder/
Is Your #Career in Recovery or Retreat? (All Joking Aside), http://coachmeg.typepad.com/career_chaos/2010/04/is-your-career-in-recovery-or-retreat-.html, @KCCareerCoach
9 Ways You Might Be Fooling Yourself About Your Job Search, @heatherhuhman, http://www.heatherhuhman.com/2010/04/9-ways-you-might-be-fooling-yourself-about-your-job-search/
Don’t get tricked by these 3 job search blunders, @LaurieBerenson http://blog.sterlingcareerconcepts.com/2010/03/31/dont-get-tricked-by-these-3-job-search-blunders.aspx
Trying to hard to be nobody’s fool? @WorkWithIllness http://workingwithchronicillness.com/2010/03/trying-too-hard-to-be-nobodys-fool/
It’s not all about you @DawnBugni http://write-solution.com/2010/04/01/its-not-all-about-you/
Stop Fooling Yourself about your Job Hunt: Things you may be doing to sabotage yourself. http://exclusive-executive-resumes.com/job-search/stop-fooling-yourself-about-your-job-hunt-things-you-may-be-doing-to-sabotage-yourself/ @erinkennedycprw
Same as it ever was @walterakana
http://www.threshold-consulting.com/threshold_consulting/2010/03/same-as-it-ever-was.html
career sherpa says
Rosalind:
I enjoyed your post! It reminded me of the old saying “Nothing ventured, nothing gained”. You are right, we all have limitations. The secret is knowing our strengths and finding the opportunities to use them. The options are limitless if we are creative!
Robin says
On April 1, the day of the joke, good to reiterate that chronic illness is not funny at all. Chronic illness throws way too many blockades and detours, takes all your energy to survive, work, housing, health insurance…..good thing jokes can get you to smile once in a while, like ones for this special day.
Jason Reid says
How very true Rosalind. I have suffered through this very habit over the years. No matter how well I succeeded at a given job it has always been difficult for me to make leap to something bigger, higher-up or different. I would come up with all sorts of scenarios as to why my chronic illness would get in the way – often forgetting how successful I have been in balancing these issues in the past.
Eventually I have to ask myself – “Is this new opportunity really so insurmountable? Are there not things I can do to balance out the difficulties I might face? What is the worst that can happen?”
Rosalind says
You clearly learned how to think “strategically”, Jason. Most of us really struggle to do that. And it’s key, isn’t it?
Toni Bernhard says
I really enjoyed this post because it encourages people with chronic illness to “think outside the box.” I had to give up a teaching career due to chronic illness but I’ve become a writer instead. The road was not easy. There were days I wanted to just give up and crawl under the covers for good. But I knew I wanted to find a way to make lemonade out of this lemon of an illness and I did. I like your idea of using this April Fool’s Day to take a long hard look at our the choices we’ve made
Rosalind says
And I love the theme of lemonade from lemons because that’s really what it’s all about. Thanks for sharing!
MarkSpizer says
great post as usual!