Stop Writing – Start Relating
Michigan is working through an interesting transition. It’s requiring much from all of us, especially those in a career search. It’s requiring that all of us consider a new paradigm, not only regarding the automotive industry, but in ourselves as well.
If we put this in the realm of seeking a new job, one of the old paradigms is the resume. You know, that piece of paper that we edit incessantly in hopes that we’ll find just the “right” language to use.
But does a resume really do us justice in an economy that continues to view human beings as a commodity? Does a resume truly communicate who we are?
An Uphill Life
Life and work, at times, feel like an uphill struggle. We constantly second-guess our careers, our roles, our projects, our life, our relationships and … and … and…
I do it too. Maybe more than anyone else.
The thing is, where does it get us? Not very far, although I keep trying to prove that theory wrong. 
Alternative to Fixing
I discovered Pema Chodron a few years ago. She’s an American Buddhist nun and author. Quite a combination. In her book, Comfortable with Uncertainty , one of the chapters really struck me. It talks about three strategies we use that, however much we believe they work, really sabotage us:
Attacking
We’ve all been with that colleague who’s typical response to the familiar “how was your weekend” question on Monday morning is, “Why didn’t you get that report done on Friday?” Kind of like the sucker punch your older cousin would give you at family gatherings – doesn’t really do any long-term damage, but it sure hurts in the moment. Ever wonder what that colleague has left unfinished? Think about it.
Indulging
Comfort, is what Chodron points to directly. Comfort with the how many clients you have. Comfort with how sales have gone or how your engineering team only had to delay the project one day. Comfort that tomorrow will be the same as yesterday. The moment you say “I know” or “The economy is having an impact” is the moment you’ve completely embraced your indulgence.
Ignoring
I have a friend who, no matter where we are, stops to pick up trash. My clear and unconscious action is to simply walk by it. What’s the difference? My friend sees that every action he takes has an impact. I ignore trash on the street largely because I feel it won’t make a difference. In those moments I’m ignoring the difference I make. If we take the conversation beyond trash, where else do I ignore making a difference?
