The Harp Playing Honey Doc

We learn a lot when we take a few moments to talk with those closest to us. When we sit down for some true quality time, not time spent “together” on our iPads or streaming Netflix, we are able to connect, to discover. I had the opportunity to do this with a career adventurer near and dear to me: my mother. I interviewed Dr. Linda Fisher, the Harp Playing Honey Doc, on the first episode of the Career Adventurer Podcast. Enjoy!

What’s a Harp Playing Honey Doc?

Dr. Linda is an award winning doctor. She has embraced curiosity and learning throughout her career. She learned to play the harp and became a certified harp therapist to supplement her focus as a doctor. She also is a master gardener who manages bee hives.

We discuss each of these career adventures during our brief chat. Dr. Linda shares why she pursued each path, how she found them rewarding, and what she specifically did to continue to add variety to her career life over forty years. Listen to our 25 minute conversation. You’re sure to find a nugget or three to inspire your own career adventures.

Some High Level Themes…If Time is Scarce

You may not have 25 minutes to spare. I get it. In that case, I’ve compiled 5 core themes and quotes from our discussion. Consider these for your own career adventures.

What’s Your Thruline?

We live in a world that continuously asks, “What’s your ‘Why’?” Simon Sinek advocates that we should start with "why." Career coaches help us craft the perfect “Why” statements on LinkedIn. All this “why” talk can be a bit overdone, in my opinion. Sometimes all we need is a few words that provide a thruline for our lives.

Dr. Linda’s is simple: curiosity, learning, and science. That’s it. These core words guided her even when she didn’t know they were guiding her. Know your thruline.

“There's so many things you could be curious about and learn about in this world. Can it all be career? No, but it can lead to happiness. You should never stop learning.”

Be Guided

We all need guides, mentors, pushers. It’s so easy to get in a rut, do the same ‘ole thing. Ya know, wake up, drink coffee, open the computer, bang out some emails, gloss over in a few meetings, make dinner for the fam, stream a show, go to bed too late, and do it all over again. While satisfying in the short term, this is not the path to life-long satisfaction. Trusted mentors help push us out of these ruts. All we need to do is have additional interests and discuss them with people who care about pushing us forward. This is exactly how Dr. Linda got into beekeeping. She was casually guided, pushed.

“I went out with that mentor to see his hives one day. He said, ‘Oh, you'd enjoy this. You're a scientist. Why don't you come with me? You gotta see the bees.’ So I went out with him and that's when I decided to take the beekeeping course.”

Be Impulsive

Be focused at all times. Gotta have an exact plan. Gotta be efficient. Deviation from said plan means waste. That’s how we’ve been trained. While plans and planning are great the opportunity cost to sticking to the plan can be priceless new experiences.

In our interview, Dr. Linda shares her impulsive origin story with the harp. After a long day serving patients she decided to take a detour on a whim. She saw a harp shop and stopped inside. Next thing she knew, she had rented a harp and was signed up for lessons. This small leap from her daily routine lead to becoming a harp therapist and serving patients in a new way. Carpe diem! Seize the moment. Intuitive impulses lead us down rich new paths.

“I had always been interested in the spirituality of healing as a physician and how meditation and music can help healing”

Get Certified, Show Commitment

When we get certified we show we’re serious. Talk is easy. Actions speak volumes. When we choose to spend our time and money seeking a certification people take us more seriously in future pursuits. I’m not talking about committing to the CPA or becoming a doctor. I’m talking about the first, small step. Maybe that’s a certification online in a field you might want to go into. Spend a little to learn a lot before making a big leap.

In our interview, Dr. Linda discusses multiple certifications she has attained. Whether it has been master gardening or music for healing and transition, each one provided structured learning and the opportunity to dabble.

“I decided to do this certification in therapeutic harp. I'm certified through MHTP, which is the Music for Healing and Transition Program.”

Have a Buddy

Last, we all need partners. We commonly find buddies to help us exercise. Shouldn’t the same apply to our career adventures? When we find a partner we fully commit to our pursuits. We’re more likely to follow through!

Dr. Linda teamed up with her best friend to become a master gardener and a beekeeper. They found support and fun together. Find your career adventuring buddy to help you get the most from your vocational pursuits.

“I first took this beekeeping course by Chicago Honey Co-op, and I wanted to start it, but I didn't wanna start it alone. So my best friend said she'd help me with it, we'd do it together.”

How Will You Apply This?

Thanks for reading and listening. We learn a great deal from career stories. We learn how others have found purpose and meaning in their work. We see ways the’ve branched out. This helps us to see the possibilities in our own lives. I’m already identifying what certifications I should seek and buddies I should connect with in 2024 to fuel my career adventures. What are you going to do?