I'm just returning from my son's graduation -- a milestone filled with laughter, elation, and tears of joy. But what is the next step? So many graduates haven't a clue. Herein lies the opportunity.
My son is graduating as a double major in Economics and Asian Studies -- he's lived in India and China, but does he want to do something related to that? Not right now. He wants to get his Screen Actors Guild card and act. As parents, we have the option to be upset and concerned that he is not taking the traditional route. After consideration, we have decided to support his decision wholeheartedly. Today, the average person goes through at least five career changes in the course of a lifetime. It's not unusual to get a degree in something and discover that working in that field is not only boring - it may suck the very life out of you. It doesn't have to be that way. Here are 10 things to consider when planning your happy life.
So dare listen to your inner calling and take the first steps. By keeping your focus and staying nimble, even if you don't know exactly the destination, your pathway will open up. Happiness resides in the most unexpected places. Be on the lookout and enjoy the journey!
What tips do you have? What was the best advice someone ever told you? What do you now know that you wish you had known before?
Follow Randy Taran on Twitter: www.twitter.com/randytaran
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Mary is Mother of the Sorrowful Heart
1. Learn from the mistake of 2008.
2. Look critically at the consequence of the mistake of 2008.
3. Prepare fully to avoid the mistake of 2008.
4. Make sure we won't repeat the mistake of 2008.
5. Don't repeat the mistake of 2008 in 2012.
6. Clean up after the mistake of 2008.
7. Put as much distance between 2012 and the mistake of 2008.
8. Never, ever repeat the mistake of 2008 again.
9. Remove all vestiges of the mistake of 2008 from Washington.
10. Enter into a new, vital, and prosperous era of our nation.
Sadly, I agree with many of the commenters who say these suggestions are "fluff" in today's workforce. The American workforce has changed a great deal in the past 20-30 years. It used to be realistic to pursue your dream in the US but as Americans we have to think more globally. So many jobs are now outsourced and as a result people have become easily expendible. There is no work security in the US anymore. Pursuing your dream may mean learning multiple languages and permanently relocating to another country. It's not so simple as these suggestions make it out to be.
Christina
NYC
This is not a world for the good, and I have learned this from personal experience. Sure, I'm only 22, but I was thrown to the wolves as a tween, and I learned first hand that there only way to get anywhere in this world is through treachery and deceit. Kindness and helpfulness are viewed as a weakness to be used and abused.
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Im alot older than you and have experienced life longer. When I was younger I felt that living life took my energy away. You may not feel that way now but with abandoning morals and principles you will feel that when you get older. Jesus is the one who gives happiness to the soul and the person. If you listen to what I say you will save yourself from alot of difficulties.
Mary is Mother of the Sorrowful Heart
We get one shot and there's nothing else afterward.
Positive relationships and the meaningful experiences that emerge from them contribute to a happiness that comes from the inside that lasts much longer than the thrill of acquiring a new thing. Thanks for your comment.
In Randy's response to my earlier comment herein, she quoted the old saying, "there are many roads to Rome." You may understand that, yet you choose to denigrate a successful, apparently content and happy individual because he did not select "your" road. Although I did select college, I, like many who both, did and didn't, continued to read and study. The amount in information, understand, and wisdom I have gained post-college, dwarfs that which I gained in college; I suspect this is true more often than not for most.
Just ask Bill Gates, Michael Dell, Carl Bernstein, Scott Carpenter, Julia Carson, Simon Cowell, Lady GaGa, Rachael Ray, Wolfgang Puck, Dave Thomas, Richard Branson, Mark Zuckerberg, Steven Jobs, J K Rowling, and many more, most of which the public have never heard of like Seth Prievarsch, Craig McCaw, or Barbara Lynch.
Yes, college does offer "different" stuff (some beneficial, but more often simply not of interest to the student, not to mention the cost thereof), but I bet there are as many with degrees who are, as you say "jealous" of those who are happily and very successfully ensconced in their professions without having to spend 4-5 years studying things not relevant to their passions in life.
Besides, virtually all lawyers attend college, and you know the general publics opinion of them... just saying. :)
Lawson Meadows
All of us should try to pursue our dreams, but, for some of us, these dreams change over time. If we're lucky, we can follow them and keep changing.
Well golly, it looks like you brought out a few non-believers! Ironically, they are the ones who may need the re-read the list each night, but they likely won’t because that would spoil all the fun of being negative, spewing their message of disrespect and disenchantment, and trying to make themselves feel superior by putting others down. Apparently, the skill of disagreeing without being disagreeable is beyond them. Some, in referring to the harshness of “reality,” revealed the “reality” of their life… sad really! But, I still wish them well.
Like hate is not the opposite of love , failure is not the opposite of success: oddly enough some form of apathy is for both. To me, the most important part of your article is the emphasis on finding and pursuing your passion; all else is the result of that, and not doing that, I suspect, leads to the “quiet desperation” exhibited in the more distasteful remarks by some commenters herein… not to mention the inane and often specious nature of their logic.
Your message is far from for the erroneous description as “fluffy,” offered by one person. I know kids and even those who are far beyond being kids, who approach their chosen activities in life, whether it be a job or a hobby, a profession or an obsession, with the passionate attitude and mindset you suggest, who are simply happier than those who don’t. I know I do, and I am!
Sincerely,
Lawson Meadows
Thanks for your wonderful and amusing comments. It is fascinating to see what the subject brings up. There are many roads to Rome, and many ways to enjoy the journey. I too wish everyone well.
:) Randy
Actually, what I did and am doing are not remotely related to it, and I think that is often true. Good advise too.
I know so many anthropology, drama, psychology, film majors that are working minimum wage jobs or jobs completely un-related to their field of study its not even funny. These degrees are good in theory but in the real world not so much.