S
skyhigh
Guest
To dream the impossible dream
To find the perfect job.
I really envy talented artists like singers, musicians, painters, actors, craftsmen and so on.
To live daily what you love doing. Surely that is not a wasted life.
Those of us who are either talentless or not prepared to make the effort to at least become "good", suffer a life of mediocrity.
As a teenager I was an above average footballer. But at 19, suddenly the game got too serious for me. I realised to go to the next level required not only more effort but more grit. To be able to handle "adult rugby" required a toughness I didn't have nor wasI interested in becoming tough. I enjoyed the game as a kid because it was challenging but still fun. I got scared a bit with injuries too.
Guitar. My problem with guitar was there was always someone better than me nearby. A classmate was so much better than me, it was discouraging.
Teaching. A self-absorbed introvert trying to take on a role which required extroversion, confidence and pragmatic thinking. Over the years I did improve. But I was always struggling. Other teachers seem to have something in reserve at the end of the day. I was spent.
Now, I think that finding the right career should become our obsession from age 18. And being very realistic about it.
I mean say you want to work in retail as a shop assistant. Be aware of how much energy and social skill this requires. Don't go in blind. Customer service skills are not learnt overnight. You need a really positive mentor in the workplace and possibly an encouraging parent at home. What ever your "dream job" is, know exactly what are the hardships, the negatives. Don't be too idealistic. I've heard some young people say they "want to work for the United Nations" and help promote world peace. I think they might be disappointed. The real world is disaapointing for many. it certainly was a shock for me. I started teaching at age 21. Honestly, I didn't have a clue. I was still in my own dreamworld, dreaming about the latest music or movie I watched. I was utterly unprepared for a real job.
To find the perfect job.
I really envy talented artists like singers, musicians, painters, actors, craftsmen and so on.
To live daily what you love doing. Surely that is not a wasted life.
Those of us who are either talentless or not prepared to make the effort to at least become "good", suffer a life of mediocrity.
As a teenager I was an above average footballer. But at 19, suddenly the game got too serious for me. I realised to go to the next level required not only more effort but more grit. To be able to handle "adult rugby" required a toughness I didn't have nor wasI interested in becoming tough. I enjoyed the game as a kid because it was challenging but still fun. I got scared a bit with injuries too.
Guitar. My problem with guitar was there was always someone better than me nearby. A classmate was so much better than me, it was discouraging.
Teaching. A self-absorbed introvert trying to take on a role which required extroversion, confidence and pragmatic thinking. Over the years I did improve. But I was always struggling. Other teachers seem to have something in reserve at the end of the day. I was spent.
Now, I think that finding the right career should become our obsession from age 18. And being very realistic about it.
I mean say you want to work in retail as a shop assistant. Be aware of how much energy and social skill this requires. Don't go in blind. Customer service skills are not learnt overnight. You need a really positive mentor in the workplace and possibly an encouraging parent at home. What ever your "dream job" is, know exactly what are the hardships, the negatives. Don't be too idealistic. I've heard some young people say they "want to work for the United Nations" and help promote world peace. I think they might be disappointed. The real world is disaapointing for many. it certainly was a shock for me. I started teaching at age 21. Honestly, I didn't have a clue. I was still in my own dreamworld, dreaming about the latest music or movie I watched. I was utterly unprepared for a real job.
