Take ten minutes to picture yourself living one of the Life Design Models for Jacks-of-All-Trades. Both of them are described in the chapter. What would be great about it? What would it be missing for you?
- The Most Valuable Player Model
- The Good Life Model
If you are an unsatisfied Jack-of-All-Trades, do this for both of them.
Now do the same, for ten minutes, with one of the Careers for Jacks-of-All-Trades:
- Contract work
- Multiple income streams
- Telecommuter
- Editor
- Written translations
- Troubleshooter
- The Good Enough Job
If you are an unsatisfied Jack-of-All-Trades, create a Backward Planning Flowchart for moving toward one of these careers.
Write in your Daybook how each of these felt and any ideas came up while you were daydreaming about them. In a new comment on this page, tell us which ones you tried on and what you discovered about them and about yourself. After you share your experience, read the rest of the comments and reply to a few. Tell us if you are a Jack-of-All-Trades.
Please be sure to subscribe to future comments on this exercise or to check back here on Wednesday evening or Thursday morning for new ones.
Use the Next link (up above the title) to continue on to What I Learned from Chapter 16 after you are done adding your comments.
I do like the Good Life Model. A great question to ask myself in every endeavor from now on is, “Will This Make Me Happy?”
I love this so much J and what a great habit to cultivate! Imagine everything going through the filter of “does this add to my happiness or will this make me happy”???
I followed the MVP Model to some extent, although with plenty of stress around finding the right path. Some days I can feel proud of my journey, particularly when my daughter’s taking inventory of my past jobs.
The Good Life Model sounds ideal. I often expressed a desire for working with good company with less emphasis on what I was doing. I worry following my whims enables me to not have a life of which I can be proud, but I don’t seem to want any of the “proud” lives I observe anyway.
Despite some shared traits, I don’t know that I’m a Jack.
Hi Nate!
How do you feel about asking the question around does this job/activity/company add to or take away from your happiness? I am curious, as Barbara talks about our H levels (happiness levels) and doing more of what makes us happy, and less of what makes us anxious or stressed. Of course, at times what would make us happy creates stress around getting there!
I’m not as sure about happiness. Barbara also talks about doing great things while in a foul mood. I’ve explored energy – will this path increase or deplete my energy? I find that easier to answer.
There was a time I did whatever came easy to me. Perhaps it scratched my perfectionist itch, but I also find I shied from dreams lacking a clear path.
I’m currently exploring facets I’ve long desired for myself. Some of them, e.g., coaching kids, bring intense anxiety and stress and a restless mind in place of sleep. I’m receptive to the idea of overcoming challenge and growing stronger. I was in a very different place not long ago.
I’m finding the gains of health and fitness have compounding benefits for other areas.
So interesting Nate! I agree that Health and overall well-being affect many other areas, and in someways all other areas. I’m so glad you’re turning towards or revisiting some of your dreams/longings!