I don’t believe in anything linear. People who assert they they have linear lines in their life are typically full of shit. I’m more a believer in symmetry and patterns, which can include flat periods of growth or ridiculously fast upward curves of development.
After the last week of taking some time to think of what’s gone down recently and what my options are, I think it’s safe to say that the last 5 months have been more formative than the last 5 years of my life. I’m kind of doubting that statement as I type it, however, I’m seeing within my personality, skill set and network that things are happening at exponential rates as of late. I also suspect I’m on the verge of another growth spurt too.
But, those flat periods are not to be looked at as write-offs. Just because you’re not growing in any sense that you care to acknowledge or record, your senses are working around the clock whether or not it’s translating into inspiration and action. All that latent downtime, interaction and miscellaneous, unsavory emotional purgatory was in fact being taken in, indexed and analyzed by that big, powerful brain of yours.
Translate this into career development and it’s easy to see why people get intimidated by the “required” number of years experience in any particular area in job descriptions. It’s total crap! Why? Well, before I came to Madison, I was a copywriter, project manager and someone who was well versed and used social media proficiently. All of that turned into a community management job at Brazen Careerist. The transition wasn’t hard for me because I had all the pieced together from previous years of working and freelancing. When I put it all together, I was suddenly working with all cylinders firing at once. 5 months later, I get laid off and I know I could jump into a full scale community and brand management job for any company in the world.. or even for myself!
Yes, I grew THAT fast and I have no lack of confidence in my skills. So the only questions are where do I want to go. Where do you want to go? If you predict huge periods of growth and not so much time in your plateaued state, do you try and always re-evaluate where you’re pulling the direction of your development? Or, do you just see where it takes you?
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Every moment we are growing…and even the smallest growth is necessary. I learned to stop pulling or pushing myself in any one particular direction a long time ago. I also learned to stop, and listen. If things get tough, or I’m stressed…then I’m doing something wrong.
I agree…length of time isn’t what is the key…it’s the quality of that time that matters. I have been in my current job for only two months…and yet, I’m already being set up for a superviory postion. Why? Cause that is my desire…that is where Ifocus.
Good luck to you my friend…
I am happy to know that your period at BC cemented your confidence and boosted your career. Living in consciousness makes the time much more denser, yeah.
I also agree. One thing I notice though is that there is a time lag to everything you do.
I have a sales job: My returns come about 2 months later. If I didn’t work hard in January, my March sucks! so forth and so on…
When looking for a job: I networked with everyone I interacted with. Once I found a job, 5 other offers came within the next 3-4 months.
Blog post: It’s not until a few weeks after I post consistently that the content really takes off through my network and the web.
See what I’m saying. One of the toughest things for me to do is to focus on delayed gratification but its well worth it. “The harder you work, the luckier you get”
@Dawn, thank you! That’s a good perspective to have.. the whole stopping to listen to yourself, rather than powering through things despite them being wrong.
@Isao, time is denser and more meaningful, but it still goes by way too fast! The days fly by as fast now as they did when I was employed. Not a fan of that! I’m trying to slow down a bit and enjoying each moment more.
@Tyler, you are SO RIGHT about all of those things! Doesn’t it drive you crazy? It also makes me realize I’m doing something right and try to control it a bit more. Keeps me motivated when I feel like my actions are fruitless.
Great examples!
I love the unwavering optimism you possess. Just by chatting with you that short time we did and getting a brief feel for what you’re all about I have no doubt that you’re gonna be doing something amazing shortly!
Since your Twitter game is so raw I bet you have a ton of people reaching out to help!
I volunteer to be one of them…let me know.
Brenton
I think ambition and drive plays a weighty role over experience sometimes. The fact that you were able to pull together your skills in a way to build a community counts. I have to confess before finding you on Twitter that I wasn’t very active in the Brazen Careerist community but your tweets about interesting articles pulled me in.
There’s always room for growth; it’s what keeps work stimulating and fun. (And reminds me that I’d like to continue building on my skills, continue growing.)
Brenton, I will get in touch man. Thank you so much for offering to help and I want to hear what’s up with you anyways!
Thanks for the well wishes too. I’m excited for what’s next!
@Holly, as soon as the growth and opportunities stop, I hit a wall. If I can’t get around that wall, I tend to just blast through it. Getting laid off was sort of someone else blasting me through a wall I was going to have to go through anyways