Avatar photoSteven Savage

So Why Not Start Over?

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I talk to people with career issues, from being out of work to unhappy with their job.  They are tired of the search or tired of the work.  They've done all they can or are just plain done.  Oh sure, they're trying to move forward with life but aren't sure it's working, or if they care.

Here's a suggestion:  why not just start over?

If whatever you're doing isn't working, why not just decide to go blank slate, give up your ideas and plans and techniques, and just start over:

  • Quit your job search for one day and then re-design it from step one.
  • If you're unemployed, just take any reasonable job mand throw yourself into it for a few weeks to just have a start of any kind.
  • Drop your career plans and ideas that seem dead in a water and re-evaluate them from square one.
  • Take that option to relocate from your company and get a fresh start (if your spouse, friends, pets, etc. are OK with it).
  • Try something new at work, a new project, etc.
  • If you're unemployed go on and try and start your own business on the side while you search.  Why not?
  • Take a friend up on that offer to move in with them until you get on your feet.

In short, if it all is lousy, why not a fresh start?  What do you have to loose?

If you think about starting over, then you'll know.

The flipside of of starting over is that when you consider it, you'll then ask yourself if it's really worth starting over.  Confronting the possibility of throwing out your current plans makes you confront your plans – and yourself.

Maybe it's time to start over.

Or maybe considering it will make you appreciate what you have.

– Steven Savage

Weekly Challenge: The Victory – and the After

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You're looking to create your career, achieve your goals, build your bank account, etc.  You have all these plans and hopes – that's partially why you're here.

A lot of the challenges I present are to help people reach those goals, but let's try something a little different in another two-part challenge.

First I want you to pick one of your goals – or THE goal if you have but one major one.  Ask yourself:

  1. How you will know you achieved it.  Seriously, when can you declare victory?
  2. How will you preserve this achievement and build on it?

A lot of people ask #1, but victory is fleeting, and maintenance takes effort . . .

Give it some thought.

– Steven Savage

Book Update 3/22/2010

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Wow. The book has been out one week – though as I've been busy with many things I haven't done as much as I'd like with it.

Updates:

  • I've submitted it for worldwide distribution via Lulu.com.  I just have to approve it and was frankly waiting for a few people to look at their copies.
  • I actually had some people buy copies already.  That felt pretty good.
  • I gave a few away to people who have been supportive, and one as a prize at Chibi-con.

Findings:

  • Lulu.com's printing works good in multiples, though in a bulk order I placed, one had some odd detritus on the back cover.  I'm checking into a return.  It doesn't harm the book, but it's annoying.  However it is probably a case of "stuff happens."
  • Lulu.com's bulk printing is also shockingly FAST.  It came as fast as single printing.
  • The global distribution option at Lulu.com is pretty easy – but it does cost $70.00 so it's not free.  However, you do get a lot of opportunities – you end up on Amazon.com, other sites, etc.  It will take me a few more weeks to end up there.
  • People take you incredibly seriously when you have a book out, even self-published.
  • There is something very heady about finishing a book.  I want to rest, but I have some others I want to start . . .

So it's done.  Now to move on and do some promotion.

Oh, and feel free to buy the book.

– Steven Savage