Stop Swimming Against the Tide and Meet Your Career Needs
Monday, April 12th, 2010
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Do you ever feel like you are swimming against the tide?
For the past few months I’ve been in transition. I didn’t know it, but the transition had really begun a while back.
I had been receiving great advice, but from the wrong perspective.
You may be in a similar position. Your best friend, mom or therapist sees the world from their perspective. They try their best to jump into your shoes, but they don’t quite fit.
I’ve decided to stop taking most of my friend’s advice and swim with my internal tide.
Small Changes
You may have noticed some of the small changes that I have been making. These changes will multiply as the months go by.
I’m aligning my energy with my flow. That cryptic mumbo jumbo means that I’m aligning my present needs with my goals (AKA swimming with the tide).
It’s surprising how hard it is to do this. We don’t listen to our hearts. We try to reason our way to success. This is the worst tactic you can take.
You’ve probably had a job that looked good on paper, but in reality you hated it. You either stuck it out (swimming against the tide) or found a better fit.
You can’t fake passion, just like you can’t fake skill. You either have it, practice at it (hopefully you develop it) or you do something else.
My questions to you are:
> Are you swimming against the tide?
> Are you meeting your own needs in your career?
> Are you passionate about your work?
Next week I’ll talk about passion because that’s the foundation of an amazing career. If you can’t master your core then you will always be swimming against the tide. It’s time to take control of which projects you put your sweat, thoughts, and skills into.
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* Mark Silver wrote a brilliant piece about throwing your work out there, so you can start making money and not waiting until it’s perfect – Making a Living, Making Peace with 70 Percent. Not all of us can come right out of the box and do amazing work, we have to build our foundation and improve as we go along.
If you enjoyed this post then you will probably like this one too:
> Your 3 Careers – Are You Ready?
Image courtesy of -12°C
Ryan and I had a nice brainstorming meeting over coffee this morning to make sure we continue to swim with the tide. This is something we prioritize on – keeping the focus of what we do always on things we love. That flows into our work life as well, since we are freelancers and have the freedom to truly push our path in the direction we feel is best. Thanks for the article!
Hi Larissa, Sounds like you have a wonderful ritual with Ryan, steering the boat instead of being dragged along.
Karl,
I’m all for going with the flow. My issue is too often I lack trust and foolishly think I can control things. Not!
I’m going to spend some time at our cottage in May figuring out clarity and direction. Every once in a while I need to clear my head. 1/3 of the year has passed and I need to review and renew. Doesn’t that sound good?
Hi Tess, Control is a tricky thing. We want some control, but not too much. A mission to clear your head to find the right path is a great idea.
I spent last week alone trying to find clarity and direction. Like you, Karl, I decided to stop listening to other people and just go with my heart. That’s what it’s all about, afterall, and what feel good living is all about!
This is a good post, look forward to seeing how it all unfolds.
Hi Stacey, Going with the heart is usually the best solution. We have to make sure we are 100% behind our actions.
This is so important for each one of us to consider Karl – at all times in our lives.
My two cents on this is that when we have to struggle or try “hard” to do anything, we are swimming against the tide.
I like to “flow with the river of life”. I don’t think relationships, or work, or success or anything should come through “hard work”. I know this goes against what we are taught and what most of us believe. But I have been on both sides, and for me at least, the best things happen when I let go, surrender and allow the tide or river to take me.
This does not mean that I am not an active participant in my life, it just means that I do not resist what is, or try to push against walls that are there for a reason.
So I love, love, love this article. You are so right, listening to our hearts should be key, not what society wants or thinks is best for us, or our dear ones, for everyone goes through life with their own perspective and in many ways, we all live in different worlds, so what works for one person, may not necessarily work for another.
Follow your heart always
Hi Evita, Resisting the natural flow of energy is a big mistake. Sometimes it takes a while to find the right river, but as long as we don’t give up, we will be rewarded for our efforts. That’s my belief.
Hey Karl,
Great read and a great point =)
I think it’s definitely important to take a step back and frequently ask ourselves about the overall direction we’re heading – and whether it is really what we want to do. Sometimes the biggest mistake is pretending what we’re doing is just “temporary” – until we slowly lose sight of the person we originally were and our original passions, and change to fit our “temporary” situation
Hi Sid, If you think something is temporary we don’t put all our effort behind it. I’ve made this mistake plenty of times. Looking back on it I see why this was and now I try to make choices I’m only 100% invested in.
Karl, what you wrote about is what I went through in 2008 when I decided to quit my job. On paper, it was great. In my heart, it didn’t feel right. Same goes for some relationships I’ve been in that everyone else said, “God, you’ve got it so good!” Well, maybe in their eyes, but I’m learning to live without the good opinion of others.
Sounds like you are, too. What a wonderful thing! I wish you only EASE, clarity and success as you continue swimming with the current!
Hi Megan, It’s funny how people mean well, but give advice from how they would handle the situation, not what is really best for you. It’s natural I guess. Sometimes people just need to be more encouraging instead of judging.
This reminds me of a powerful saying … when there’s no wave, make one.
Then you can ride your own tide
Hi J.D., That’s very Zen. I love it.
Hi Karl,
Yay for going with the flow.
I had a job that looked wonderful on paper and yet I felt so miserable and empty. That is when I decided to change paths and just follow my heart.
Life has an interesting way of taking us places. We just need to be honest as to where we are and just follow the wave. Life is meant to be simple and often if we try too hard, it just means we are on the wrong path.
Good for you for following your heart. I know your love for what you are working on is the real deal. Keep shining bright, my friend!
Hi Nadia, Honesty is sometimes very hard to deal with, but really it’s the happiest way. Life is meant to be simple, but we often over complicate issues. We just need to get back to the basics and make decisions from the heart.
Hi Karl,
Yes, swimming against the tide to something that isn’ really right for us does take a lot of energy and it’s exhausting. Swimming against the ebb and flow of our personal energy tides can get draining pretty quickly, too. In both cases, it’s about knowing ourselves well enough to recognize when we do this.
The only animal I know that deliberately swims upstream is the salmon and that journey takes pretty much all of its strength. Mind you, it knows exactly why it’s swimming against the current, and it isn’t because some other fish thought it would be a good direction to pursue.
Have a great afternoon or evening.
Hi Sue, I like how you said swimming against the ebb and flow of personal energy. Very well put.
I guess there will be exceptions to every rule. Sometimes salmon and even us need to swim against the current to get to our sweet spot.
I have been feeling unfulfilled with my job over the past few months, but with the economy, I have no choice but to stay where I am. I have been following Denice Kronau’s
blog which has been very helpful. She blogs about ways to fall in love with work again. Her advice has been extremely helpful. One thing I have learned about myself through reading her blog is that I have just been overworked and exhausted. I have found ways to rejuvenate my interest in working again, and it has been a good thing.
Hi Becky, I’m sorry to hear about your situation. There is nothing wrong with falling back in love with your work, but please don’t force it. Some jobs just aren’t a good fit and you need to find work that aligns with your strengths and passions.
[...] > Stop Swimming Against the Tide and Meet Your Career Needs [...]
Small changes and letting things be without resistance will get you anywhere you wish to go in your career.