A while back, I started drafting an email with the subject line “Do you want to be your boss?”
The idea in that email was that asking this question could be a good way to “test” where your career and life is heading, on the basis that you’re following in your boss's footsteps and their life today might reveal aspects of your life a
few years from now.
Almost like your boss is your very own walking, talking, live-action crystal ball.
Anyway, that email took a different direction in the end.
But it popped to mind when I stumbled upon a blog post from the marvellously named Moxie Marlinspike (the type of fellow I imagine wears a monocle and velvet slippers as he taps away on his typewriter).
Moxie’s blog explored the same idea.
Here’s what Mr Marlinspike had to say:
***
As a younger person, I think the best thing you can do is observe the older people working
at your place of work.
They are the future you. Do not think that you will be substantially different. Look carefully at how they spend their time at work and outside of work, because this is also almost certainly how your life will look.
It sounds obvious, but it’s amazing how often young people imagine a different projection for themselves.
Look at the real people, and you’ll see the honest future for yourself.
***
I'm sure some of Moxie's followers will read this and feel re-assured knowing their future is mapped out ahead of them.
But I daresay others may read this with a sense of dread. They may not like how that next 10 or 20 years is shaping up and they may sigh wistfully at the dreams they’d be giving up along the
way.
To them I say:
Chin up, sunshine! It’s not all bad news.
Because when
Moxie proclaims “Do not think that you will be substantially different”, I stare him straight in his monocled-clad eye and counter with this:
It’s 100% within your gift to change direction or step into a new future.
You can turn your pumpkin into a princess, if that’s what you want to do.
You just have to want it.
That’s the key.
Sitting on the fence or being half-hearted about things won’t help.
But if you have the desire to make change happen, then my coaching might help you with another “D”:
Direction.
If you want to show Moxie who’s boss:
https://waitinglist.followingfulfilment.com