challenge

Weekly Challenge: Trends And You

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Think about your current or ideal job (let us hope they're the same thing, but if not pick one).  Write down the major trends you've seen in this current or ideal career for as long as you can remember (even before you started doing it).  For instance, in the world of video games I've seen trends like:

  • Social Media
  • Everything Must Be Multiplayer
  • Everything Must Be a First-Person Shooter
  • Everything Must Be Set in World Wor II or an analogue
  • We Need a Mascot Like Mario or Sonic
  • Skirting the Edge of Controversy
  • Fishing Minigame In Everything
  • Point And Click Adventure Mania

 . . . and so on.

Now look at those trends you listed.  Which of them turned out to have legs and last – and which ones didn't last or do you expect to flame out?

Now which of these affected or could affect your career?  Are you prepared for the repercussions?  How can they affect you – positively and negatively?

Keeping track of trends (and their short-attention span siblings, fads) is important to do in your current job or your dream careers.  They will affect you – woe to the professional who forgets what is a fad and what is a trend, and what is past and what is future.

So try this exercise now and then, just in case.

(And for that matter, I think World War II games aren't going away, they've achieved a kind of mythology.  But I've noted the Search for New Mascots tends to flame out very easy so I'm always wary of them. . .)

– Steven Savage

Weekly Challenge: Alternate Fandom

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I talk a lot about people using their hobbies on the job or in their careers.  Actually it's why I'm here, so I suppose I can be forgiven.

We spent a lot of time getting to know what we like and how to make a living at it, but a different view always helps, so here's a weekly exercise for you . . .

Take a moment to think over what you do in your favorite fandoms and hobbies.  Think about how those interests do or can work to help you and guide you in your career.

Now, pick a fandom or hobby way different from your current one.  What, if for some reason, would you do if you were part of that fandom?  What, based on that speculation, would you then want to turn into a career or use on the job?

Get an outside view – and see what you've learned about yourself.

(I myself learned from this exercise I'd probably be a great civil engineer . . . )

– Steven Savage

Weekly Challenge: Time To Move On

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I want you to imagine your ideal job, position, or personal business.  What's it like?  What do you do each day?  Why do you like it?

Now, hold that image in your mind, with as much detail as possible.  Write it down if it helps.

Now, I want you to come up with reasons you'd want to leave that job, position, sell or change the business, or otherwise alter your great, wonderful, perfect situation.  Write down the reasons you'll eventually want something else.

Everything changes, and what we want may not satisfy us as we ourselves change.  So take a moment to ask what will change your mind once you're in an ideal job – that way you can prepare for what's next.

– Steven Savage