Monday, April 5, 2010

Brainstorm Party Blog Post #1

Greetings!  Welcome to my Brainstorm Party!

Big changes are afoot at Day Job.  The what-this-means-for-me of it all is this:  I need to transition to What's Next sooner rather than later.  If the current transition timetable holds, I can squeeze at least three more years out of my current situation.  Pursuing similar work elsewhere is above "flipping burgers" and "being a greeter at Wal-Mart" on my list of possibilities, but not a whole lot above them.

I need to figure out what What's Next looks like.  Ideally, I would like to have a fairly clear vision of my next destination by the end of summer and start working toward it in the fall.

Part of the strategy is to declutter and organize my home AND my office, implement some sort of system of organization (possibly GTD with Ann McGee-Cooper-inspired tweaks), and simplify my current job and other responsibilities as much as possible to allow maximum time and energy for working toward What's Next.

Book and/or website recommendations?
Things to consider?
Transition advice from your experience?
Anything else that might be of help?

7 comments:

  1. Sorry it took so long to get here. I was catching up on your blog. :D I just wanted to say, I love how your making goals and exploring the things that are really important to you.

    I don't have any great advice for your transition. Job hunting in any shape, form, or fashion is not my forte...one of the benefits to staying at home. Is there anything you can do from home? Is it time to work on your "anywhere but here" plan? I look forward to hearing how your transition progresses. I wish you the best!!

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  2. Good questions, Nicole! Thanks!

    I'm looking really hard at home-based options, and right now, I suspect that I may end up with a bit of a patchwork quilt of a career. I have this lovely fantasy of a fun combo of writing, photography, and art. With maybe a few workshops thrown in for s&g.

    The "anywhere but here" plan is one of the reasons I'm looking hard at home-based stuff. I would love to be able to move, get the computer, etc. set up in the new place, and be right back in business.

    The frustrating thing about ABH is that we have NO idea when we will be free to move. What we can do now is research possible new cities. Maybe it is time to get started on that in earnest.

    I went yesterday and had a peptalk from my own personal version of The Guru On The Mountaintop (my favorite prof from grad school). That helped my perspective immensely.

    It should be an interesting ride :)

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  3. The combo sounds fun! I can't wait to see what your "quilt" is going to look like!

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  4. I love that your blog info says you have "abandoned blogs all over the internet." I can relate. So do I. I've stopped seeing it as a bad thing :)

    About transitions, what you're saying is "I want to create a new life for myself." Now do something artsy/crafty to help you sort it out. Make it a long term project. A separate art journal, a series of art dolls, a quilt...anything you want to do, but try making the theme be something like "how to create a new life". Maybe even write what you would tell someone else about how to solve your problem.
    The answer is in YOU.
    I'm anxious to see what you come up with but more how you enjoy the process. Life is about the process more than the outcome.
    Keep making art
    Jan

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  5. Great thoughts, Jan. Thank you! I've thought about what you said a lot over the past few days and think an art journal may be just the thing to help me sort this out. The bookstore here just started carrying Moleskines, so I got a two pack of the tiny ones for pocket sized support and scribbling of lists and a two pack of the 5 x 8 1/4 for more involved journaling. Next step -- start painting backgrounds. The title page will likely include Lao Tzu and the Tootsie Pop owl.

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  6. i think starting with decluttering is awesome.

    and i love this "I have this lovely fantasy of a fun combo of writing, photography, and art. With maybe a few workshops thrown in for s&g."

    i think art journaling is an awesome way to go... i have a business planning art journal (i used the book "the creative entrepreneur" by lisa sonora beam http://www.thecreativeentrepreneur.biz/main_page.html ) and when i feel overwhelmed or unsure i look through it and WOW my ideas inspire and motivate me again.

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  7. I would look at Mike Robbins' book : Focus on the good stuff : the power of appreciation

    in order to appreciate what I already have

    and for a quick start I love "the best year of your life" book of Debbie Ford

    As far as PNL is concerned, I use Anthony Robbins "Awaken the giant within", it's empowering

    http://eveil-creatif.over-blog.com

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