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23
Feb 2012

The Single Most Important Thing Singles Can Do for Their Careers

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{Editor’s Note: Today’s post was written by Jacqueline Otto. You can read more about Jacqueline at the end of the post.}

Being "entrepreneurial with your time" means different things for different people.

The single most important thing singles can do for their careers?

Be entrepreneurial with your time.

Time is a commodity unique to non-parent singles in the working world. It should be thought of as an asset and invested like capital. You may think you are busy now, but just wait until you are carting soccer teams around and changing diapers – then you’ll realize how much time you didn’t take advantage of when you were single!

Being entrepreneurial with your time could mean furthering your education. Finishing a degree, pursuing a certification, or going to graduate school are the options that come to mind. We all know that these things will be more difficult when kids are spilling food over your homework, but going to school isn’t the only way in which you can use your time to further your education. [Read more...]

Categories: Career & Adventure Tags: , , ,
20
Feb 2012

So You Want to Make a Difference?

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Have you ever said that you wanted to make a difference?

Have you ever said, “I want to make a difference”? The idea is that you might be able to find the perfect occupation that matched with your skills and interests plus made the world a better place and possibly smell nicer.

I’ve said it before, too.
I’ve meant it.
But I’m going to try not to say it any more.

Wanting to make a difference in the lives of other people is not a bad thing. That’s how we get missionaries, doctors, teachers, and any number of other helpful people. What is the motivation for wanting to make a difference though? Furthermore, how will you know when you are really making that difference? I know plenty of teachers who do what they do because of its potential impact, but they look forward to summer break like a soon-to-be parolee. [Read more...]

Categories: Career & Adventure Tags: ,
10
Feb 2012

Changing Jobs Is No Big Deal

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I embrace the opportunity because it's not an opportunity everyone has.

{Editor’s Note: Today’s post was written by Ruth Rutherford of I Kissed My Date Goodnight. You can read more about Ruth at the end of the post.}

A couple weeks ago I went to a friend’s wedding and found myself the lone singleton at a reception table filled with married folks (all with multiple children). You can imagine my delight. The conversation ranged from play dates to daycare centers, from pediatricians to Yo Gabba Gabba! At one point—to my shock—the conversation turned to careers.

I told my professional tale, and then each husband told what he did. And then each wife, as if they were robots, said some rendition of, “I’m a stay-at-home mom, and it’s the best job I’ve ever had.” I smiled (genuinely, in fact, because I do believe being a mother is a wonderful thing to be!). But, I couldn’t help but notice that the “it’s the best job I’ve ever had” part seemed so forced—like they felt they needed to justify their choice.

Then, my suspicions were solidified as, one by one, each mom at the table casually mentioned what they “used” to do. “I worked in marketing before…”, “I worked in public relations…”, “I was a real estate agent.” [Read more...]

Categories: Career & Adventure Tags: ,
07
Feb 2012

Like Jonah, I Gotta Turn Things Around (Part 3)

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I found joy when I stopped trying to figure it all out.

{Tuesday, 8:01 am}

“Hello?”
“Michael?”
“Yeah…who wants to know?”
“Michael, my name is Brandon Howard. I’m a licensed insurance agent responding to your online healthcare inquiry…”
“Don’t even waste your breath! I am so sick and tired of getting insurance phone calls from you crooks! I’m sending my lawyers after you if you don’t take me off your call list right now! How do you even look at yourself in the mirror in the morning?” *click*

Only 8 hours and 149 more calls to go.

Nearly 12 years ago, as I stood in front of a thousand people during my high school graduation and delivered the Salutatorian address, peddling insurance in a call center at age 30 wasn’t exactly on my list of lifelong dreams. Not that there is anything wrong with it, I just felt like I was bigger…better…smarter. That all came crashing down over the next several years as my confidence was built on a shaky foundation. [Read more...]

Categories: Spiritual Growth Tags: , ,
23
Jan 2012

But What If I End Up Dying Alone?

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Lessons from the ER (a real one, not the television version)

{Editor’s Note: Today’s post was written by Alisia Baker. You can read more about Alisia at the end of the post.}

Over the past summer I got a chance to become part of the pharmacy team in the Emergency Room at my hospital. It was definitely time to push myself outside of my comfort zone, and the ER proved to be a challenging new territory. Not only have I learned many new things in the pharmacy world, but I have also learned a great deal about myself and human nature.

On Christmas Day, I was throwing myself a self-imposed pity party because I was working the evening shift. I had spent Christmas morning alone and was grateful to be going to work to spend time with people. Several of my friends had invited me over to their house for Christmas morning, but I chose to be alone. My parents had offered to come up, but I didn’t want them to miss out on the opportunity to spend time with my brother’s family. I even decided not to attend church on Christmas morning because I felt that I would become bitter seeing all of the families sitting together at church. I had bargained with God that I would listen to a sermon podcast on Christmas morning, but my attitude was pretty poor when I left for work that day. [Read more...]

Categories: Career & Adventure, Relationships Tags: , , ,
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