Today I had the opportunity (aka “was forced”), along with the rest of our team, to see a guest speaker on the BOOM tour. I was just as puzzled as you probably are right now, poor reader.
I figured that BOOM stood for something since it was in all caps. Nope…not at all. It’s the title of a book written by the guest speaker, Dr. Jackie Freiberg (and her husband Dr. Kevin Freiberg) – “BOOM!: 7 Choices for Blowing the Doors Off Business-as-Usual”. Jackie was a very interesting and motivating speaker, as far as I was concerned. The main point, of the seven that she discussed, which really hit home with me was the very first point: “Choice #1: Be a Player”.
While I was sitting there listening to the presentation I realize that I have been a spectator in my own life for a number of years. That has been my choice. Instead of making actual decisions about things, I have typically let life sweep me along and just haven’t done anything to stop it. Granted, the majority of things that have happened in my life have been pretty awesome – I went to [a good] college and graduated, I moved to California, I got a decent job at an arts college, I’ve gotten promoted twice within that same company, and I got married. All great things no matter how you slice it.
But in each instance, I can show that I didn’t actually do anything to “earn” that – I did what was required. Well, except getting married.
- Went to college – I honestly hadn’t even thought about it much until my junior year of high school. I didn’t think about going to college at all. I had no idea where to go or what I’d want to do with my life. I had an opportunity to go to Western State University (in Michigan) but didn’t really want to share a room or have terrible dorm food. So I went to the University of Michigan-Flint, which was also a LOT less expensive (a factor that weighed more on my parents’ minds than mine). But seriously, I slacked my way into UM-Flint so that I could continue living at home.
- Graduated from college – I majored in Communication. Yes, I picked my major which you may think goes against this whole “slacker” theory of mine. However, I really wanted to go into Graphic Design. I took all of the Graphic Design classes UM-Flint had, which was about five. I fully intended to use my Communication degree to get into the graphic design field, instead of just transferring to another school and getting the degree I wanted. I also could have stayed an extra couple semesters and minored in English, but I just wanted to be done. Slacker…
- Moved to California – It wasn’t even my idea! My ex-ex-ex-boyfriend thought that moving to California would be a great idea. I moved out here because of him. I chose to stay here once he left twenty days later, but that was mostly out of spite and not wanting to look weak.
- Got a decent job – I applied for all kinds of jobs at this arts college because, as previously stated, I wanted to be a Graphic Designer. I figured somewhere along the line they’d see my talent in that area. I started working in the Registrar’s office and stay for a year-and-a-half until getting my first promotion to Career Services. And while I really did have an interest in Career Services – helping students get part-time jobs – I really wanted to get away from my batshit-crazy coworker in the Registrar’s office.
- Got promoted – If I was making the money I’m making now (not that I’m rich by any means) I wouldn’t have applied to other positions. I was poor and needed more money…getting promoted is the fastest way to do that without leaving a company.
And now…I still don’t know what I want to do with my life. I’ve forgotten how to have fun. And I’ve realized that I’m either the luckiest person alive or…I don’t know what. It would be nice to have a goal in life to strive for but right now I’m not sure what it would be. I need a sabbatical!
