What My Kid’s Summer Job Can Teach You

What does a 12-year old’s summer job have to do with you?  It may reflect a critical point where you  have strayed from your Life Blueprint®*.  In considering what your next career move might be, it’s important to consider the critical pieces you left behind long ago that might come back into your life now for greater satisfaction with your work.

This twelve year old happens to be my son.  When Wyatt expressed concern this spring that his older brother and twin sister had ways to make money in the coming summer months and he did not, this mom/coach went to work.

What does Wyatt love?  Animals.  We checked out the local pet daycare center.  He wasn’t old enough to help out.  They suggested the shelter.  The shelter was not training new volunteers until the Fall.  And then it hit me.  We have many neighbors with small dogs, cats and other pets.  Pet Care by Wyatt was born.

Flyers, business cards, a matching daily report sheet for the pet owner post –care, one walk around the neighborhood, and he was in business.  Two customers so far and word of mouth is positive and growing.  No, you can’t find him on the Internet, yet but I have one happy kid who is making money and feeling pretty good about himself.

So back to you…..What are the parallel lessons ?

When different avenues are blocked; make your own way

If doors are closing on you in a job search or you have something that lights you up that you want to do but there are many obstacles, it is not necessarily a sign to give up.  It may just be an indication that you have to do what others are not willing to do.

You can make your own way.  Whether it’s starting a business, moonlighting or taking unconventional routes to meet the people you need to meet to who can get you where you want to go, you must do it.  It doesn’t matter how long it takes.  Keep the day job and make in-roads any way you can.  As Patti Danos, my first publicist used to say: “[Be] pleasantly persistent!”

Don’t ignore your daydreams

Part of what informed choosing Pet Care with my son was knowing how he dreams of having a dog or cat of his own.  It’s just not something our family can take on right now, but it was certainly what had to be listened to in creating this opportunity.

As I write this, there are two clients of mine setting up a time to meet.  One worked with me years ago, the other is doing so now.  They share a common daydream: Becoming a teacher—being someone who can share what they know and have a positive influence.  The former client is doing just that after years of hesitation and the current one is doing his research to decide if his daydream will take on more importance and become action towards this new destination he envisions.

Daydreams (and those at night, too) cannot be cast off as unrealistic as they may sound or as impossible to justify as they might appear.  They MUST be included in next steps if you are pondering them.  Only if you want to be happy, of course.

Get the word out

Procrastination, fear, embarrassment, uncertainty—all are reasons why people keep their ideas for new directions to themselves.  They are also the reasons why nothing is happening!

People are the cilia that move the cell along its path.  You need to be talking about what you are thinking of doing as a way to bring opportunity to you. No one can help you if they don’t know about what you are up to.  Networking your way to results can’t happen if you are not talking to anyone.

I understand that sometimes you can’t telegraph or announce your intentions or questions because it can jeopardize your safety net, but at some point, keeping quiet is keeping things from developing the way you want.

The beginning of the process is not the time to rent out a billboard in Times Square with a big announcement, but it is the process of talking to the right people (supportive, discreet, info-centric and resourceful for your area of interest) to move you along your path from inkling, to decision and on to action.

When you’re at action, you’ll catch up with my self-employed twelve-year-old.  We already envision a franchise.  What do you see?

* A Life Blueprint® is your undeniable preferences and talents that are seemingly part of your DNA.  They are the clues to what will bring you satisfaction in work and life.