It's been an incredibly rocky ride this January. Not even a month into 2016, and I'm feeling ragged already. My resolutions to get energized about making personal improvements and growing skills are already being put to the test. Going into the new year, I knew that I wasn't exactly enjoying work like I used to. As a by-the-book ISTP, I saw myself completely bored at the tasks I used to get excited about. It all stemmed from feeling like I was no longer solving problems or using my creative skills to promote efficiency. The day before learning my current job is being terminated, I spent the day taking pictures of the Louisville area, went home and learned a new photo editing software, and within minutes, was churning out beautiful, semi-professional looking photos. Just yesterday, I was enjoying playing the baroque trumpet with members of the US Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps. Though its been tough knowing that my life is changing dramatically in the next month, I am finding comfort and some regularity in my hobbies and side-projects.
Even better, I'm learning about how my hobbies are influencing my job search. While I have a great amount of experience in shipping and customer relations management and landing a job in that field would be a quick fix for my current situation, I am now looking for interactive, creative, and data-driven work. By finding that I stick with my hobbies because they involve practicing a craft and having something concrete to show for it is directly informing my job search. In looking for new work, I have to continually ask the following questions in order to consider applying:
Am I going to have the opportunity to practice new or creative skills to solve problems?
Will there be consistent and direct feedback to help me do better?
Will I have a chance to contribute to upper-level decision making based on what I am observing in our field of business?
Will I get to collaborate with others in an effort to develop each others' skills?
There are more questions, of course, but by reflecting on what I enjoy doing the most, I'm able to look for the jobs I can see myself doing and enjoying for a really long time. Here's to 2016, the year of change.
Even better, I'm learning about how my hobbies are influencing my job search. While I have a great amount of experience in shipping and customer relations management and landing a job in that field would be a quick fix for my current situation, I am now looking for interactive, creative, and data-driven work. By finding that I stick with my hobbies because they involve practicing a craft and having something concrete to show for it is directly informing my job search. In looking for new work, I have to continually ask the following questions in order to consider applying:
Am I going to have the opportunity to practice new or creative skills to solve problems?
Will there be consistent and direct feedback to help me do better?
Will I have a chance to contribute to upper-level decision making based on what I am observing in our field of business?
Will I get to collaborate with others in an effort to develop each others' skills?
There are more questions, of course, but by reflecting on what I enjoy doing the most, I'm able to look for the jobs I can see myself doing and enjoying for a really long time. Here's to 2016, the year of change.