Back in May 2010, after a solid 5 months of job search, I decided that looking for a new job made me feel like Goldilocks (under qualified, over qualified, and waiting for just right.) Not to mention that the arduous process of researching and writing cover letters brought to mind Einstein defining insanity as doing something over and over again and expecting a different result.
7.5 months later I have landed and I find myself reflecting on what I’ve learned and how I can apply these lessons to my life in general.
1) A Zen attitude about Patience. Okay, I’m still working on this, it really doesn’t come naturally to me. I don’t have an easy time sitting around waiting for something to happen and while I wait I tend to make up elaborate schemes about what is going to happen – it passes the time but its hardly productive. I hereby resolve to try to wait patiently for things to happen once I’ve done everything in my power to set something in motion.
2) Rejection – I can handle it. In fact I’d much rather be rejected than left in the dark. No answer is not an answer. I resolve to never leave someone hanging for an answer or an update.
3) Optimism Wins. Generally speaking I’m an optimist and confident in my ability to realize a dream. The past 12 months had its ups and downs and I’d be lying if I said my giddy optimism wasn’t upon occasion replaced by “snarky cynicism” or the less amusing “pits of despair.” I resolve to keep a light shining brightly on believing in the future (even if I’m also being snarky.)
4) Be like the people I’ve admired. The best part of this whole journey has been the people I’ve gotten to know or know better on the trip. I’m so grateful for the myriad things I’ve learned from the many people (too many to list and you know who you are) who have been there for me with words of encouragement, advise, leads, or a drink. I resolve to be like the people I describe as people who rock.