The Tension of Career Experiences
As we move through our career, experiences expand and build on each other. Our uniqueness develops from our decisions about the roles we take and the knowledge we gain along the way.
For some, the path will be linear and deep gaining sought out expertise in the specialty chosen. Others may have depth in 2-3 areas and bring perspectives gained in one to the other. Still others will move around more frequently, becoming a generalist able to make connections across disciplines that others might miss.
None of these paths are “right”, they are just “right for us”.
Personally, I fall in the last category – a generalist with many interests. This has led me to create this newsletter focused on career development and personal branding. However, it’s also led me to a challenge:
Where do I share my latest thoughts and perspectives on marketing?
I’ve written a lot over the last three years, but it’s all sitting in files on my computer. The time has come to get them out into the world. Which leads me to a bit of news for marketers who follow this newsletter.
In the next couple of weeks, I’ll be starting a second newsletter focused on marketing.
The name is still being finalized, but “Can We Be Direct?” is leading the list. This one gives a nod to the origins (and heart) of my marketing career – direct (1:1) marketing. The advancements in data and technology over the years have drastically changed the game, yet in the end, the goal of the space is still clear – initiate, nurture, and deepen relationships. Something I’ve believed in and taught others throughout my career.
For the marketers out there, I hope you’ll follow along and share your insights.
A new chapter in my own personal branding.
I leave you with this question:
What are you doing in 2026 year to evolve your personal brand?
Posts This Week
The Four-Sided Self-Awareness Mirror. This post provides four different types of self-awareness and assessments that are available to help you broaden your insight and understanding of yourself.
Mind Clutter. We all have mind clutter and the level can go up or down depending on the season we are in. This post provides some techniques for reducing the clutter and regaining control.
The Rhythm of Day and Night. We all have natural cycles we go through both at night and during the day. This post highlights what the cycles are and how to get the most out of knowing they exist.
Mobility and Stability. As we age, we need to be intentional about how the exercise we do evolves for the stage we are in. We should also consider if we are focused on mobility, stability, or both.
Do You Coddiwomple? I’m so intrigued by this word and what it means. As a planner, I’m not sure if I am good at coddiwompling, but I want to try!
Podcasts That Caught My Attention
There are five podcasts on the list today and they all resonated with me for different reasons. I hope you find one or two that connect with you today.
The Skill Nobody Teaches You: How Not to Know. 23 minutes. The Next Big Idea Daily. This episode covers highlights from two books by Simone Stolzoff The first covers his new book How to Not Know: The Value of Uncertainty in a World that Demands Answers. Then, his earlier book The Good Enough Job: Reclaiming Life from Work.
How to Set the Right Goals and Stay Motivated. 19 minutes. TED Talks Daily. Scientist Ayelet Fishbach teaches us how to motivate ourselves. She shares tips on how to optimize your goals, set yourself up for success and avoid procrastination.
Leave Space for Opportunity. 6 minutes. Before Breakfast Podcast. In this episode, Laura talks about how we could reduce our mental load, so we can pursue big breakthroughs.
Abbie Schiller on Identity Grief: What It Is and How to Move Through It. 46 minutes. The Goop Podcast. For all the times we might feel unmoored – children heading to college, switching careers, job loss, death of a family member, etc. She provides a lot of great information and gives a framework for moving through it, not just around it.
The Beach as Medicine. 9 minutes. Optimal Living Daily. This podcast explores how the beach can restore the body, calm the mind, and awaken the spirit through the natural healing elements of sun, sea, and sand. I love the beach and this was a nice reminder of the benefits.
What Do You Think?
Do you ever struggle with a couple of different areas of professional experience?
As summer arrives, are you finding some space in the schedule to explore possibilities?
What ideas did the posts & podcasts spark that you could implement in the week ahead?