|
April 2003 Newsletter
Online Issue # 3
Profile of C. S.:
following
the Intentional Living - Meaningful WorkSM
class
What are you discovering / rediscovering about living with intention
and working with meaning?
I have always had an attraction/rejection relationship with working
at a corporation. Like both my parents before me, I have always
longed for the security, prestige and career opportunities offered
by a large, stable company, possibly a multinational with worldwide
affiliates and branch offices. I have always felt attracted to the
businessman or woman, the business suit, the symbols of power and
wealth. For years my role models of success have been the jetting
business executives equipped with all the modern gadgets symbolizing
success: Palm Pilot, laptop computer, cell phone, briefcase, frequent
flyer accounts with major air carriers.
At the same time as I was trying to conform to the ranks of the
corporate world, I have been experiencing a deep dissatisfaction,
a sense of inadequacy, the perception of being a sort of misfit.
After several attempts at finding "the perfect job," the
right company, the right industry, the right boss, the right co-workers
etc. etc., I have come to the realization that my career has gone
nowhere. After over twenty years of trying to find the perfect fit
for me, the end result is just a job, a pay check, devoid of any
passion and spirit, where my skills and knowledge are grossly underutilized.
My "so-called" career has experienced various halts, interruptions,
re-thinking and new attempts at reinventing myself, but despite
my efforts I am finding myself, at age 50, totally dissatisfied
with my work. While other areas of my life are fine, my career has
never really taken off.
Lately the malaise has become unbearable and the hope of finding
the right fit in a corporation has waned. Perhaps, amongst other
things, I have failed to see all that it takes to make it in a corporation:
the long hours, the trudging, the politics, the need to abide by
a set of rules and values one may not embrace in full. Perhaps my
efforts have always been half-hearted, as deep down I wanted something
else. Most likely, I have never found the right fit for my skills,
personality and inclinations, or an environment where I could flourish.
I have always been a soul-searching person, lately more than ever.
In the last few years my career dissatisfaction has been like a
wound that is not healing and bleeds at the slightest rubbing. I
have decided I need to do something about it. I still have at least
fifteen years of active work life, and I cannot spend it doing something
that I find dissatisfying.
Attending the "Intentional Living - Meaningful Work"
class helped me refocus and rediscover passions and thoughts that
have always been within me - only I did not have the courage to
act on them. I have now decided that I want to try something new;
I want to start my own business, as "travel designer"
of customized trips and uncommon itineraries in my country of origin,
Italy. I want to do something that leverages my skills, knowledge
and my passions, and that will bring the best out of me. From now
on, every day I am going to take some "safe steps" towards
achieving my goal, while leveraging my day job as "sustainer."
I will take off when the time is right. In the meantime, I am going
to take action and prepare for when that day comes.
I have realized that instead of feeling helpless with my career,
I will regularly take baby steps to achieve my goal of having my
own business: taking people to undiscovered Italy.
Note:
“Intentional Living - Meaningful Work” is offered each
winter through the Compleat Scholar Program at the University of
Minnesota. Information about the course appears in the spring course
listings available on the Compleat
Scholar Program website.
go to the next newsletter page
>>
|
