Posted by Racer on May 26, 2004, at 14:30:02
In reply to What If I can't hold down a job?, posted by owenus32 on May 26, 2004, at 12:16:39
If you're worrying about that, no wonder you're anxious. That sounds flip, even to me, but it's meant sincerely. That's such an overwhelming life issue that it'll set the sanest person living onto the thin edge. Can you see if you can put that thought out of your mind? (Yes, practical suggestions are coming, but that would be a good first step for easing your distress.) It's Tolstoy's White Bear, but if you can let go of the Big Picture, and concentrate on the details that make it up, I'd bet you'd at least feel a bit better.
For practical suggestions, I guess I'm hardly the poster child for success. I have lowered my ambitions over and over again, and can't live up to any of them, so I worry about the same thing. Last ditch effort, to keep yourself off the streets, is Social Security. That's the final answer, and it's not a good one, but it's better than thinking in terms of living on the streets. Between where you are now and all that, though, you've got a lot of incremental options. Once that anxiety kicks in, you may not be able to see them, but they exist. Advertising, huh?
1. Moderate your ambitions and look for a smaller agency, or one that caters to a less glamorous clientele. A smaller firm with less competition for its clients may have an easier time accommodating your reserved demeanor, and since smaller firms tend to have less turnover, your coworkers may adjust and learn to say, "Oh, well, that's just how owenus32 is" when you're particularly withdrawn.
2. Look at your core competencies and see what other interesting careers are open within them. I'm actually thinking that something like creating informational campaigns for science related subjects might be a perfect fit for you -- a lot of scientists are more than a bit socially withdrawn, so you'd get empathy rather than sympathy, and even if you had contact with a very social scientist, at least you'd just look like another scientist ;-) Also, scientists tend to have a certain distrust of the high pressure advertising types, so a nice, quiet, competant advertising advisor would be a great find for them.
3. Non-profit organizations are another avenue to explore. Believe it or not, a lot of non-profits pay pretty darn well, and there's always a need for people who can get the word out for them. PR advisors are very important, and there's usually a pretty good understanding of people with personalities a little out of step with Corporate Sector. That's one of those win-win situations, too, since they'll get someone who has the high caliber skills to make it in the private sector, while you'll get a more accommodating environment and the satisfaction of knowing you're doing Good, as well as doing well.
I hope that helps, and I hope you'll find your own answer, and through it satisfaction.
poster:Racer
thread:350770
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20040525/msgs/350815.html