career

Are You Suffering From Learned Helplessness?

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I was introduced to learned helplessness in my psychology studies many years ago, and it's one of several concepts that made a deep impression on me.  To sum it up simply, animals and humans exposed to situations where they have (or don't think they have) control eventually act helpless, even at times when they can restore control.  In short, people and animals can  be exposed to experiences that make them act and be helpless even when things change.

This is an incredibly important psychological finding because it's a reminder of how experiences – and approach to handling them – affects our ability to take control of our lives and deal with stress.  Many is the time I've witnessed people in the throws of learned helplessness, and I'm sure upon reflection you've seen it too.  In fact, chances are you've experienced it now and then yourself.

I also see it a lot in people's careers, especially in this economic climate.  I would go as far to say that I think learned helplessness is making the Great Recession far worse for many people.

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Weekly Challenge: Alternate Fandom

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I talk a lot about people using their hobbies on the job or in their careers.  Actually it's why I'm here, so I suppose I can be forgiven.

We spent a lot of time getting to know what we like and how to make a living at it, but a different view always helps, so here's a weekly exercise for you . . .

Take a moment to think over what you do in your favorite fandoms and hobbies.  Think about how those interests do or can work to help you and guide you in your career.

Now, pick a fandom or hobby way different from your current one.  What, if for some reason, would you do if you were part of that fandom?  What, based on that speculation, would you then want to turn into a career or use on the job?

Get an outside view – and see what you've learned about yourself.

(I myself learned from this exercise I'd probably be a great civil engineer . . . )

– Steven Savage

Building Your Career Foundation

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We all have foundations in our careers; those skills that let us earn money, the network that finds us a job, the specific knowledges that let us predict trends.  A quick examination of what you do, who you are, and the work you do will quickly make your foundation obvious (or its lack obvious).

Building our career foundation – skills, knowledge, experience, networks – is vital to having a successful life, a fulfilling job, and to achieving what we want to do in life.  However building them is often hard in these changing times.

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