Sabbath, February 10, 2013

[On Sundays, this blog explores topics beyond its normal focus in “Sabbath,” a feature inspired by the similarly titled poems and collections of Wendell Berry.]

Quitting

I’ve grown fond of a new poet, Simon Armitage.  His poetry is accessible without ever feeling dumbed down or cliched.  In The Shout: Selected Poems, Armitage has several poems about a urban everyman named Robinson, whose life is tragic in the sense that he is constantly bored, a hamster on a wheel.

The poem Robinson’s Resignation captures this feeling and what can be done about it.  It is a simple poem, three stanzas and a telling final line.  In the first stanza, Robinson grumbles that he is “done with this thing called work, the paper clips and staples of it all.”  He is sick of complaining customers and their “foul-mouthed” children.  In the second stanza, poor Robinson spews hate for something almost everyone loathes – meaningless, endless meetings.  In the final stanza, he explodes the myth about the “friendship thing”: “I couldn’t give/a weeping fig for those so-called brothers/who are all voltage, not current.” Robinson walks away with a last line that is pure dismissal: “This is my final word.  Nothing will follow.”

Some people like to read into poems like this.  They would say the final line implies an ultimate ending, possible a suicide note.  My take is simpler. Robinson’s lament reflects a frustration I frequently see with my clients.  People are pushed to the brink at their jobs, so they walk way. Nothing will follow with the job they are leaving, but they quit in the hope of finding something better:  better pay, less boredom, a boss who is not a sadist.  If Robinson were a real person and needed money, what would follow this poem is a job search.  We often make strong declarations like “nothing will follow” only to change our minds the next day, if not the next hour.

I love this poem because it shows despair and frustration turning it a type of power: self-determination.  One book I’ve often recommended to clients is Seth Godin’s The Dip, which explores how and when to quit things.  Godin challenges the claim that winners never quit.  He writes, “Winners quit all the time.”  They know how to quit the things at the right times and stick with what will help them to achieve their goals. Based on Armitage’s other poems about Robinson, I don’t think this poor man will ever be a winner, but his world is much like ours, so we can laugh at him and ourselves, hopefully learning in the process.  I strongly recommend – in particular order – The Dip, Seth Godin, Simon Armitage’s poetry, and quitting.  All are empowering.

More Nice Work

Some true stories are still unbelievable.  Think Progress reports that Bill Johnson resigned after working one day as CEO of Duke Energy.  Johnson’s “golden parachute” – don’t choke – could be worth up to $44 million.  The article explains the details, which I’m to disgusted to think about.

This story illustrates how the system in this country is geared in favor of the ultra-rich and powerful.  Right-wing politicians and think tank spokespeople condemn unemployment as “welfare,” but none of them will criticize million dollar handouts to failed executives, especially those who can make $44 million after one day on the job.  As the song says, “Nice work if you can get it.”

The Path to Rudeness

In his latest post, Seth Godin explores a distinction between meeting and making a train.  He compares it to how we treat deadlines – and people.  In the job search we need to have the discipline to make deadlines and be on time for interviews.  Employers don’t have time for rude behavior, the kind of behavior that says, “I will be a bad employee.”  Make the train.

Making Hard – but Good Choices – about Your Career

Seth Godin challenges his readers to think about their career as a matter of difficult – but achievable – choices.  Read this great post and take its message to heart.

The Problem with Smooth Sailing

Seth Godin has written a wise post on “turbulence.”  His point seems especially apt when thinking about the jobs search.  Occasionally, the job will find you.  Otherwise, it’s a struggle, and no two struggles are the same.  Don’t expect smooth sailing.  Be realistic, and the journey will be less of a problem and more a process.

Choosing to Choose

Another great post from Seth Godin.

Managing a career or finding a job is all about making choices, especially when things are going badly.  Follow Seth Godin’s advice:  Don’t give yourself the choice of having no choice.

A Magic Word That Is Misunderstood

Seth Godin’s latest post is a classic.

Conventional wisdom in business tells us to find a way to say, “Yes.”  Why?  As Godin illustrates in his pithy way, there is great strength in “No.”  There is also professionalism, commitment, and honesty. 

Jobseekers and career managers can take a lesson from this post.  If a job isn’t right for you (unless you absolutely need the income), say, “No.”  If your current job isn’t working for you, it’s time to say no more and quit.  Quitting things that hurt us is the first step in moving our personal and professional lives forward.  Godin wrote the book on that subject, and it’s called The Dip.  Read it, and you’ll be prepared know when to say, “No.”

Seth Godin on Job Interviews

Godin identifies 7 questions that underlie every good job interview.  Then he points out one question (not asked during the interview) that leads to a bad job, one where politics will be more important than creativity or productivity.  I strongly recommend this short post for its practical wisdom. 

Seth Godin is like the poet Billy Collins.  His writing often sounds simple, especially on a first reading.  When you feel that way, read it again.  It’s deep.  Start diving.

Managers and Leaders

In today’s post, Seth Godin considers a very important distinction between managers and leaders.  What I take from this post is that a manager will ask you to do more faster (productivity).  The leader will challenge you to do something better and give you the tools you need to change the job (creativity, what Godin defines as a linchpin). 

 If possible, work for a leader.  Better still, be a leader.

Two Brilliant Perspectives on Education

Seth Godin hits a home run in contrasting the notions of education as obedience and self control.  Anyone who’s read Linchpin knows where Seth is taking this one.

In Common Dreams, Diane Ravitch delivers an extend, brilliant critique of what is packaged as “education reform.”  Needless to say, much of what we hear in the media is easily proven false. 

Without a good education, it is impossible to have a good career or a good life.  We need schools that teach skills that fit today’s economy.  Instead, we are getting more debates about what should not be taught and how that information should be tested.  The results of good education manifest themselves in a good society.  As Ravitch argues, too many children living in poverty pull down not just test scores, but the very notion of learning.  We need to focus on the real problem, not political smoke screens.