Welcome to the 7th installment of The Jump. It offers monthly musings and tips to inspire your career adventures. We all need stimulus to help unlock possibilities in our career.
Often, we miss daily inspiration that surrounds us. It could be music, the news, or taking a walk. These micro-moments offer powerful contemplative points in time, if you choose to listen. They can catalyze your career.
‘Tis “Back to School” season! A time of refreshment and new beginnings. Traditionally, it’s a time to reflect and set yourself on a new path of learning. I’ve always loved the late summer transition from pools and ice cream to classrooms and pumpkins. (Not pumpkin spice lattes, to be clear. Those can go away.)
Here’s what I’m covering in this edition.
Quotes on Why Curiosity & Play are Paramount for Development
A Tool - Fuel Your Career With Your Heart
A Listen - NPR 1A - What Happens When A College Shuts Its Doors For Good?
Two Quotes - Discover Through Play
“Creating leaders who, through the discovery of their own abilities, kindle the potential of others and better a dynamic world.” - My daughters’ school motto
I was at my daughters’ school annual orientation a few weeks ago. The school motto was shared as part of the normal process of discussing rules, pedagogy, and afternoon pickup.
It struck a chord. Isn’t this what life and career is about: personal discovery but not solely for selfish purposes. It’s about being curious, finding what drives you, and improving the planet contibuting.
I shared the quote with my wife and mom. Upon hearing it, my mom was reminded of T. Berry Brazelton’s quote about playing.
“Play is the work of childhood, and through play, children learn and develop important skills.” T. Berry Brazelton - American Pediatrician
Might I ask, shouldn’t play be a greater part of adults’ lives too? Why should play stop in childhood. Through play, we find what drives us. We discover new skills. We find new paths to explore.
Remember, carve out enough time to play!
A Tip - Fuel Your Career With Your Heart
During my daughter’s orientation, I scanned the room. There were closets, cubbies, and coves filled with activities. It was obviously purposeful. The teachers laid out the room so kids could play and discover.
I started wondering, “Would any of the activities kids do make sense for adults to do, too?” The answer has to be “Of, course”, right? So, I called my aunt, a teacher with decades of experience guiding bright young minds.
I asked her a simple question. What activities did you do with your students that you always thought adults should do too? I added a career related clarifier too.
After a thoughtful moment, she said, “Yes, the Heart Map® by Georgia Heard.” My aunt then described how at the beginning of every year she’d guide her students in completing a Heart Map®. It was both her way of getting to know new students and having them learn a bit more about makes them special.
Very simply, you write down all of your hopes and dreams on a big map. There are guidance questions focused on:
The influence of memories, people, and experiences
What fills your heart with joy
Important things about your talents, like / dislikes, or challenges?
We all should partake in completing a Heart Map® every few years. This September, I plan to do the activity with my family to get to know them and myself a little better. You should too!
A Listen - What Happens When A College Shuts Its Doors For Good?
I’m a proud two-time college graduate. I believe in education and grew up when going to college was becoming more of the norm. But, I’ve lately wondered if the current college model makes a ton of sense.
This summer I heard a 1A discussion on NPR called What Happens When A College Shuts Its Doors For Good? It furthered my questioning of the value of college for all and is worth a listen. I thought it was especially relevant during the back to school season.
1A host Jenn White discusses the issue of college closures with Meredith Kolodner and Jon Marcus, both with The Hechinger Report, an organization that covers innovation and inequality in education.
I found these stats from the episode to be fascinating:
Colleges are closing at a rate of 1/week and 1 in 10 colleges are at risk of closing
7 in 10 students get very little warning when a college closes. Most don’t continue their education.
Humanities subjects & majors are some of the most impacted curriculum
College enrollment is down. It’s the right investment for many but maybe not all. Many people are questioning the value of a degree. Given that the cost increase has far outpaced inflation over the past 20 years, you should.
My take > Give the 1A episode a listen. You might consider alternative ways to invest in education and not just give it the old college try. We have to reinvent or retool ourselves with reinvestment from time to time. This does not necessarily mean we should throw caution to the wind and over invest in a credential or degree.
Summing it Up
Going back to school is exciting. It’s a time of rebirth. Take some time to tap into the energy of learning to focus on what you want to learn the next nine months. It could be something as simple as documenting what is in your heart that could fuel your work. Or, maybe it is investing a bit more into a new credential.
Thanks for reading The Jump! Like and Re-stack with you own thoughts to spread the word!
Paul G. Fisher