Professional Geekery

Geek Pride: Giant Robots, Inspiration, and You

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So there I was, taking a break from being, well, busy, and giant robots helped me get my working mojo back.

I know, you may need to reread that line again.

Essentially I was watching Gurren Lagann, an unusual anime that is hard to describe.  It's a giant robot show, a space show, a drama, parts of a comedy, strangely sincere yet with winking nods and references.  A big part of the show is the power of fighting spirit and people's emotions to drive them on and empower them.  This is an anime that people who don't watch anime won't get.

It was actually quite inspiring, and it struck me that's something we geeks and fans need to keep in mind – we can find inspiration in seemingly mundane things, and that can push us on.

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Weeky Challenge: When it’s time to wait?

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Everything comes and goes in the cycles of life.  We, careerists and professionals, are used to trying to figure these cycles out to ride them – or run from them.

Now and then, we end up at a difficult period in our lives when the various forces in our lives are at a crossroads, things end, and we're trying to get a handle on what's next.

So today's challenge?  Ask yourself what is on hold in your life – and that should stay on hold.

Take a look at your career goals – what is on hold now and why?  Of these events on hold, what are ones where you need to apply timing – to wait for an economic change, someone to return from a trip, etc.  What parts of your great life plan just happen to be caught up in the cycles of change.

Now for a second part – what of these "on hold" goals should you NOT try and tackle?  Are there things that, if you try and ram them ahead, you'll only end up in trouble?

What in short, are you just going to be bet off waiting on?  As much as people that try and encourage others on their career (like me) push you, sometimes you gotta wait.

– Steven Savage

Weekly Challenge: The Victory – and the After

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You're looking to create your career, achieve your goals, build your bank account, etc.  You have all these plans and hopes – that's partially why you're here.

A lot of the challenges I present are to help people reach those goals, but let's try something a little different in another two-part challenge.

First I want you to pick one of your goals – or THE goal if you have but one major one.  Ask yourself:

  1. How you will know you achieved it.  Seriously, when can you declare victory?
  2. How will you preserve this achievement and build on it?

A lot of people ask #1, but victory is fleeting, and maintenance takes effort . . .

Give it some thought.

– Steven Savage