Imagination. Creativity. Innovation.
For just a minute, travel with me back in time to when you were a little kid. Did you pretend? Did you create make-believe adventures? Those are the memories I want you to hold onto for a day. What was it you wanted to be when you were young?
I wanted to be an archeologist. I would grab my trowel and head out into the woods behind my barn and dig for hours. Dirty and hungry, I would return with my treasures…dirt-laden high button shoes, medicine bottles, horse shoes and even a sterling silver thimble holder with the initials "VD". The memories of this are vivid. I was so excited and so interested in my findings that I began to research. I learned how to tell the age of a bottle by its molding seam. I learned that the thimble holder belonged to Virginia Dorne who lived in our house in the 1800's.
Two things were going on here.
1) I visualized and played out my dream of being an archeologist. I actually did it.
2) I got excited and found a passion.
As children, we acted out our dreams of being a fire fighter, Super Hero, etc. We envisioned ourselves performing the functions and duties of the role. Along the way we sometimes became really really interested in the subject.
Where did that go? Why don't we do that anymore?
If you are stuck in a rut or not sure what you want to do next, go back in time and remember what it was you pretended to be as a kid.
The other option is to pretend you are a kid again and allow yourself to pretend to be something or somebody else. Pretend. Role play in your mind the daily activities and functions of this something else. Maybe you can find an opportunity to volunteer doing this make-believe career opportunity.
Still another option is to tap into your child-like imagination and create or innovate. There are millions of problems to solve right now. You may just have the answer.
Our country was founded by pioneers who were not afraid to take risks. They traveled into unknown worlds and territories for a better life, a new adventure. They truly risked their lives, not just their life-savings.
Could you? Would you?
Hannah Morgan speaks and writes about job search and career strategies. She founded CareerSherpa.net to educate professionals on how to maneuver through today’s job search process. Hannah was nominated as a LinkedIn Top Voice in Job Search and Careers and is a regular contributor to US News & World Report. She has been quoted by media outlets, including Forbes, USA Today, Money Magazine, Huffington Post, as well as many other publications. She is also author of The Infographic Resume and co-author of Social Networking for Business Success.
