There is a story of a lion that was kept for years in a 10-foot by 10-foot square cage with a concrete floor. Once rescued and sent to a location that had room to roam, this lion quickly found a quiet location to remain alone and spent her remaining years wearing out a 10 foot by 10-foot patch of grass.
That is truly a heartbreaking story. A magnificent animal that has lost all will to do what the species has naturally engrained in their DNA. As I think about my life, I wonder how many times have I limited my range by just keeping to the areas that I know.
My first job was at the McDonald's where my sister and cousin had worked so I knew people there before I had started
One of my roommates in college was from my high school class
My first job out of college was for a division of the company that my father had worked for since he graduated college
I married someone from my high school class
We lived within 15 miles of the town where we grew up
All of this happened during my "formative" years. I have always been pretty shy and introverted when it comes to meeting new people. Once I get to know them, I am a little more outgoing. I have tried in recent years to do things that were of my own doing, where I have had no previous ties.
I started refereeing football and soccer
I joined the community advisory board of the local Public Broadcasting station
I was on the Patient Advisory Board for a medical practice that we had at work
Each of these items gave me additional confidence in being able to realize that I can do things on my own. When I had suddenly been laid off from my position at a job I had, I was never worried that I would not find work. In fact, I was looking at it as a chance to spread my wings a little further. I started looking for positions that were outside my previous experiences. Things that I learned from that were:
While people talk about transferrable skills, having experience in the same area is far superior (especially in the same industry)
Networking really is the best way to get into a company when there are so many ways of submitting resumes these days
Being self-reflective has its ups and downs
Transferrable Skills
Having skills that are transferrable is a great concept. The problem is not everyone can see that. Some people believe their industry is so unique that you have to be in it for years to understand the nuances of having a position in that industry. Having been in several "unique" industries, I can tell you that it is simply not true. Here's an example:
I had worked in the nuclear power industry for over 15 years. I had knowledge of regulations, reporting, the intended purpose of the regulation, and, most importantly, how to apply that knowledge when reporting it to the regulating authority. Fast forward 10 years or so. I am now working in the Emergency Medical Education industry and one project was to get a paramedic education program accredited by a national board. Using the same skills as in nuclear power, I took each tenet of the accreditation process and provided documented evidence of how that concept or requirement was met with the program. The program was accredited on the first submission. A couple of years later, I led a project to get a Continuing Medical Education program accredited by the State Board responsible for accreditation. These were 3 totally separate industries but the concepts were the same. If you have a regulation (or requirement) explain and demonstrate how you meet it. Each of the program applications was cited as highly effective in their concept and demonstration.
Networking
While few people like networking, I have found that generally like the connections I have with others really helps me keep in touch with them. It is so much easier reaching out to people that you know and just saying hello and how are you than it is to reach out to someone that you see is working at a company that you are interested in working at that you haven't talked to in a while. I still think this is an area that I can get better at and I continue to try to expand my circle of friends and closer acquaintances.
Self-Reflection
As I read and listen to podcasts, I am constantly asking myself, "how can I incorporate this into my life?" It doesn't matter if it is something I do to try to learn from or just for entertainment. I find there are lessons being sent from all over. My job is to find those lessons and learn how to use them to the best of my ability. And the lesson can also be what not to do. Learning from the mistakes of others can be just as powerful. The key for me is to keep pushing and get outside of that zone of comfort.
What are you doing to get outside of your 10-foot by 10-foot square?
All very true! It was fun getting to know a little more about you in this post. Also, my first job was at McDonald's, from the time I turned 14. I worked there all through high school. I like meeting other people who worked at McDonald's as a kid too. Weird as it sounds, I think there is something about putting in time in one of the most basic, customer service driven jobs there is that really lays a good foundation for the rest of life. I am always grateful that I worked there- I think it taught me more about life than I realized at the time.
ReplyDeleteI also am introverted and have a HUGE tendency to "put myself in a box". I am nervous about new opportunities and have a tendency to doubt myself as well. Confidence has never been my strong suit! ;) These are all good reminders. Sometimes it feels SO much easier and more comfortable to just stay put, but you are right, the growth happens outside of that zone.