Living for yourself

If you want something, you have to ask for it.

Don't make assumptions that "things will happen" and "things will fall into place." Most people have this misperception.

At my previous corporate job, I asked for opportunities. "I'm interested in learning about X!" So my manager let me do some of X. "I'm interested in Y!" And my manager let me try Y. We sat down together and charted a path to make my interests happen. I grew in my career and was happy in my own development.

Now I've stepped out of the corporate comfort zone. It's my first time working in the professional services. Like any new job there's always that initial transitional period... I was their b*tch. Letting Partners assign me to wherever they wanted me, whichever project they could dump their sh*t work on me. None of the work interested me. My usual cheery disposition turned into dark cloudy skies, lightning and thunder.

And then the epiphany: that I shouldn't be nervous around these Partners. That my best performance comes when I say, "I don't give a f*ck anymore." And I started asking for what I wanted - what interests me. I took the ball back into my court and started telling the Partners where I wanted to be. Which projects I wanted to do.

Achievement. The sun is peeking through.

Drinkin' the kool-aid...

Kickin-Kiwi-Lime or Mountainberry Punch? Maybe a taste of Incrediberry or Soarin' Strawberry-Lemonade to cool off for awhile.

And then the high begins again. And you're still drinkin' the kool-aid of your company - and what you want to stand for. The company name is branded on your forehead and you walk around proud to work for company X. Flashing your name card, sharing your pride with all those you say hello to, maybe selling a product or two in between.

But when you finally kick-back at the end of the day, put your feet up on the coffee table with the quick flick of your thumb on the remote. You sigh. Maybe reflect back on the day's events - deals won and deals lost. Maybe let the tv take over your mind.

And at times you wonder again - is this really the career for me? Do I continue pushing straight ahead - or should I take a turn in the road hoping to find a better path?

You yawn - eyelids falling heavy. The glass still in your right hand with the remaining kool-aid undrunk.