I am literally writing today from the top of a mountain. It is one of those picture perfect weather days so I decided to drive up to the mountain top to do a little writing outside. One of my colleagues was picking on me about having my “head in the clouds” but actually that can be a good thing. It’s amazing how ideas come to you when you are really relaxed and enjoying life. It is easier to think outside the box when you are not even in the box!
Think about it. I wonder why we feel that we have to be seated in an office or cubicle in order to produce good work. As many of my good friends could attest to, I do some of my best career coaching on the top of a mountain. The location has nothing to do with the quality of the work – especially when one operates from the depth of the heart and soul and connects well with people.
In my work with students it is really hard for them to figure out what to do in life since they have had limited experience. Higher education is now placing the emphasis on experiential learning so students can do internships, externships and volunteer work to gain a better understanding about the world of work. I recently worked with a group of young adults and they kept emphasizing how they felt so much pressure from society to have their major and career field selected at such an early point in life. Several of the students mentioned how they wished that they had a career counselor who really helped them explore and process all the options. Unfortunately, our educational systems are now structured in such a way that students often have to make decisions before they are developmentally ready.
When I speak with people one of the most difficult things for them to do is to really relax and imagine what they want to do in life. As a society we have become such linear thinkers that we can’t even imagine all the possibilities. People are too easily swayed by others opinions about the world of work. Often the opinions are based on incomplete information so are not even valid. In addition, we are often our own worst enemy as we talk ourselves out of options before we have even explored if they are viable. The great Pablo Picasso stated that “everything you can imagine is real.”
Think about it. I wonder why we feel that we have to be seated in an office or cubicle in order to produce good work. As many of my good friends could attest to, I do some of my best career coaching on the top of a mountain. The location has nothing to do with the quality of the work – especially when one operates from the depth of the heart and soul and connects well with people.
In my work with students it is really hard for them to figure out what to do in life since they have had limited experience. Higher education is now placing the emphasis on experiential learning so students can do internships, externships and volunteer work to gain a better understanding about the world of work. I recently worked with a group of young adults and they kept emphasizing how they felt so much pressure from society to have their major and career field selected at such an early point in life. Several of the students mentioned how they wished that they had a career counselor who really helped them explore and process all the options. Unfortunately, our educational systems are now structured in such a way that students often have to make decisions before they are developmentally ready.
When I speak with people one of the most difficult things for them to do is to really relax and imagine what they want to do in life. As a society we have become such linear thinkers that we can’t even imagine all the possibilities. People are too easily swayed by others opinions about the world of work. Often the opinions are based on incomplete information so are not even valid. In addition, we are often our own worst enemy as we talk ourselves out of options before we have even explored if they are viable. The great Pablo Picasso stated that “everything you can imagine is real.”
Many of our best entrepreneurs are people who can think broadly and dream big. I just read an article about one who actually has a business where he sends the autumn colored leaves to people who live in an area of the country where the leaves don’t turn colors. Hmm, I am currently in the middle of the woods…Hold on, I’ll be right back…Okay, I won’t give you more information on that particular entrepreneur but keep your eye on my website for updates. But seriously, many employers are seeking individuals who are creative and have good problem solving skills. Many of the problems in life could be solved by people with those skills.
So, go ahead and give yourself permission to dream and to work outside. Think big. If you don’t come up with the unique idea then somebody else just might. As one of our best thinkers once said, “Logic will get your from A to Z; imagination will get you everywhere.” – Albert Einstein
So, go ahead and give yourself permission to dream and to work outside. Think big. If you don’t come up with the unique idea then somebody else just might. As one of our best thinkers once said, “Logic will get your from A to Z; imagination will get you everywhere.” – Albert Einstein