When I was interviewing for my current job, I was asked why I wanted it. True, everyone loves getting a paycheck (and some even love being employed.) But my answer came back to the intersection of things I enjoyed. I actually traced the following diagram on my desk for the interview committee:
These are three things I truly enjoy: helping people tell their story in times of stress and strain; geeky tech tools; and teaching others. The real actualization comes when those spheres start overlapping. My experience with using New Media tools to communicate during disasters comes in an intersection. Likewise my media training, and even the time I spend on Twitter and elsewhere helping others “get” Social Media.
I’m lucky to have a job that allows me to play in the mixed colors, and even work in that bright white zone in the middle.
Have you ever mapped out your motivations in this way? There might just be some fulfilling intersections that you’re missing because you haven’t tried overlapping…
[tags]Ike Pigott, Occam’s RazR, motivation, Venn, career[/tags]
I saw this and thought “hey, those Venn diagrams from high school are useful after all!” Nice way to visualize your dream job.
Ike,
What an OUTSTANDING post. Have shared it with my readers, and will with my students as well. http://tinyurl.com/55ygf4
Best,
Mark Story
Joel:
You should definitely check out indexed.blogspot.com.
It’s one of my favorites and yes, full of Venn diagrams.
Jimmy
Ike,
I second Mark Story, and will crosspost this to my Facebook profile.
Just brilliant, though!
The question I had for you was, where did you *originally* notice this…or is this Venn diagramming style (as per your idiosyncratic case) your very own formulation?
Signed,
ADM
Adam – my introduction to the Venn goes back to geometry class, but the practical application of them wasn’t apparent until I started studying formal logic.
Without going into great detail, there are 256 ways one can construct a simple syllogism. The Venn is a useful tool for mapping the space to determine how many of those are structurally valid for use in an argument.
Formal logic (including Copi notation) are required for those wishing to advance in Shen Lung Kung Fu, and as both a student and an instructor I got to draw *many* intersecting circles. Shen Lung includes some beautiful philosophy that has very practical application.
I guess it was beautiful enough and elegant enough as a tool that I couldn’t resist using it in presentations.
Never mapped out my motivations in this way, but thanks to you I’ll be sure to do it now.
I’m in the same place!
And… I actually pulled up Occam’s and explained your Venn to one of my co-workers yesterday. When I pointed to the center, I said, “That’s where you want to be… that’s where we need to focus our attention.”
Totally COOL!
You left out Maven… You, my friend are a Maven. And pithy too.
The problem is when I start mapping things out that I like to do I get so many circles I lose track. Then I realize some of those circles I don’t even like. I don’t know what I like is the problem.
Interesting… I’m going to try this as I’m now in a rut with what I want to do with myself. Especially since I’m a SAHM now and wondering what I’m going to do when tehy go to school fulltime.
Blessings 🙂
first of all. congrats on getting your dream job and realizing it is your dream job. few people accomplish both.
but I have to ask: do you crap venn diagrams too? 😉
— respect