In the US, we celebrated Labor Day yesterday, so I took a day off and reflected on my own work life history.
Where I started and where I am now and the myriad of jobs and ‘gaps’ I had to close to get here.
Did you ever read about another business owner's success and think:
▶ What an impressive feat!
▶ It would be nice to be in their shoes.
▶ Why am I not there yet?
You think about all that without actually considering what it might have taken to get there?
I used to…but when I started to learn more, it was rarely simple and almost always a tough roller-coaster ride for them.
This made me think about my own journey from paper routes and lawn mowing to being an entrepreneur with a rich and rewarding life.
Here are some of the highlights of the jobs I’ve had on my ride:
Worst and Weirdest - The Incinerator Guy
That's right, I was stuffing boxes into a huge firebox. (They'd probably not allow it today.) It was for a major department store.
That gig was oddly cathartic. But the conditions were awful. They were not safe and very taxing... even for a 16-year-old.
Party Fodder - Opening up for the B-52s
A band I was in opened for the B-52s in Philadelphia.
(you might need to look them up - "Rock Lobster")
It was a great experience, although we got horribly lost on the way home (pre-smart phone era).
Close to My Heart but Too Soon - Lead Engineer for a Neurofeedback company
In my first startup job, we analyzed brain waves in real time. Patients controlled avatars and audio with their minds. The therapy aimed to help children diagnosed with ADD avoid medication.
(The consumer hardware was not ready, and we ran out of money. Now, there are effective Neurofeedback treatments on the market.)
Most Rewarding
Teaching, mentoring, and coaching throughout most of my career.
I had over 100 guitar students. I taught programming at NYU. I’ve mentored and trained people and teams. It’s one of the most rewarding parts of what I continue to get to do.
It can be fun to look back and see how far you’ve come.
It can also make the gap between where you are now and where you want to go just a little smaller.
Take a look back...embrace just how Iarge the gaps you've already closed in your life are!
It might just give you the push you need to make your next jump.
Happy Labor Day, everyone!
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