Inner Whizdom

(This appeared in the Career Management Alliance newsletter on 6/30/08)

When I was coaching full time, a main staple of my practice was people who wanted to transition out of dead end jobs. In many cases they had waited until they were truly miserable before calling. I love helping them find their way out of a bad situation and start to thrive.

When I sat down today to write the E-Bridge I looked up the Declaration of Independence (to be timely), and I was struck by the similarity of the situations– a workplace or government that had become intolerable.

It states, “That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”

While I don’t recommend that employees overthrow management, I do advocate a strong feeling of empowerment. It is a person’s right and duty to stop suffering the insufferable.

I hope you all have a powerful and glorious Fourth, and pursue (and catch) some happiness.

I told someone this morning that I thought the reason I was working at this particular job was to learn that I was multi-talented and respected. I feel that way once in awhile. Why does it go away?

There’s a spot in our woods with a giant white quartz boulder surrounded by a rock wall and beyond that a large expanse of ferns. For some reason it looked to me like an attentive audience. I stood on the quartz and performed a number for the throng. It delighted me.

Last night on the way home from work the throng of ferns lined the highway as I drove by. I could feel their support.

My standard way of operating has been to feel like an outsider, believing that people who aren’t close friends think I’m a little weird but amusing.

I recently had a BOING brainstorm that maybe people think of me the way I think of this certain person I admire a great deal. What if all these friendly acquaintances saw me the way I see her?

I choose to change my assumptions. They like me! They really like me!

I just read that iPhones are going down to $199 for the 8G. Omigod. How can I live without one at that price?

I’ve been getting some feedback recently that surprises me. People are responding to me as though I need reassurance that I’m okay.

I’m doing really well. Inside I feel pretty contented and peaceful.

The feedback I’m getting indicates that’s not the message I’m sending. I must have some leftover self-deprecating behaviors that I don’t even notice.

I want to show the world the way I feel inside.