So one of the things I'm doing that seems very reasonable to me but apparently isn't how things are generally done, is arranging to meet lawyers around town who I like and admire professionally and think are happy in their lives. People who exhibit all three of those characteristics are hard to come by. I figure, these are the kind of people living a life that I want to live: I want to be someone I like and admire professionally and who is happy in my life. So I should talk to people like that about their careers, right? I want to learn as much as I can about what they do and how they got there and why they made the choices they made and what the pitfalls or blind alleys were for them.
But they think I want to talk about my career, or they want to tell me about specific job openings they know about, and whether they think I'd be a good fit. I mean, those are interesting subjects and I'm pleased to talk about them, but it seems premature at this stage. The first step is to figure out just what the situation is that you want to be in, and the second step is to convince those people (if indeed it is a situation that requires the consent of other people) to pay you to do what it is you want to do in the first place. In the past, whenever I've had the first step right, I've had a really good track record with the second step. Convincing people is easier if you believe something, earnestly, and you can articulate just why it makes sense to you. I'm generally good at articulating what I believe, especially when it has to do with me and my personal choices, skillsets, etc. Right now I'm in the process of building a vision. And for that I want to see how other people have done it.
People don't believe that's what I'm asking them to talk to me about at first, but when they do, I've found they really want to talk about it. Or they really don't. The ones who don't are the ones who feel trapped, or desperate, or envious.
O.K., here's what I want to know. What is it (in particular) about your job that prompted you give notice? I'm a fairly consistent reader and I don't feel like I have a good understanding of this situation. I can understand not wanting to post unflattering info about your firm, but I suspect that your particular firm is not the reason you're leaving. The Big Guy seems like an o.k. boss, and you seem to like bankruptcy law, so what is it? You don't want to be a lawyer? You don't get enough job satisfaction? I also respect your right to keep these types of feelings to yourself . . . but I think that answering this question is the first set to deciding what job is best for you. Who knows, maybe it's not the job at all . . .you just may need a bigger boat!
Posted by: Bob C | June 03, 2004 at 01:57 PM
Happiness is like a cat. Chase it and it runs away. Sit and quietly pursue your interests and it will curl up at your feet.
To figure out what will make you "happy" you'll need to have a talk with yourself. I doubt you'll find it talking to anyone else. The outcome of what you're attempting has been previously blogged? by others a long time ago.
"And I set my mind to seek and explore by wisdom concerning all that has been done under heaven. {It} is a grievous task {which} God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with. I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after wind."
Posted by: Jim M. | June 03, 2004 at 03:10 PM
Nice to see you haven't changed a bit since high school................
Posted by: Billy Goat Gruff | June 03, 2004 at 03:34 PM