There are so many opportunities out there that I'm having a hard time deciding what I really want to do. I'm currently training users on Lotus Notes R5. I have an MCP and have taught computer classes for the past three years. I've taught all levels of Windows Office Applications, NT SQL, Server, Workstation, Core Tech., Peachtree, Quickbooks Pro, Networking Essentials, Corel Draw, WordPerfect, Lotus 123 etc. etc. I don't have a clue as to how I do it, all I know is that it all comes natural to me and I really enjoy what I do. I feel stagnant and confused as if I'm missing out on something and I don't have a clue as to what it is. Training is not like being in corporate america, even though those are the people I'm training. There has to be another way. Can anyone shine some light on my delima?

-- Dee (maggy35@yahoo.com), October 08, 2000

Answers

Dee, do you realize why human kind has habits? What habits do is automate human decision making, so if we have a habit to brush our teeth, we do it automatically, and like all other habits we don't have to think too much about why we are being habitual. The underlying reason we have habits is because without them our mind could not cope with the literally hundreds of conscious and unconscious decisions we make in a day. The mind therefore requires clarity and that could be one source where your dilemma starts.

First of all you have already detailed that you are talented with various software programs so I know its not the software skills that are causing your dilemma. The clue that interested me was when you said

"training is not like being in corporate america".

My question to you is what is it "like being in corporate america?" What does this mean, does it mean you want to start a business where you teach others software skills? Of course you are doing training now but your emphasis on "corporate" tells me that you don't want to be stuck in some training wing and that you want to really effectively use your skill sets with a greater mission in mind. Maybe the kind of missions that the people you train may have.

The paradox I am contemplating is the way you say "I enjoy what I do" and then you go on to say "There has to be another way". When you add at the beginning "There are so many oportunities out there", by saying "there has to be another way" tells me that it isn't the "opportunities" that are problem for you. Indeed having "opportunities" is always a nice problem to have.

Maybe it has to do with wanting more recognition, maybe it has to do with a fear of getting stuck in some rut, maybe its just old fashioned procastination. Of course I don't know if it is any of these things because I am not you.

Then there is another possibility for you to consider, while you enjoy what you do, is there something that you enjoy even more. Lets face it, all the learning you have done to date has been a huge investment of your time and effort, what if the real blockage is that you actually want to do something greater which would mean sacrificing what you have done so far to move into a totally new direction. Again, I am shooting out ideas from my own mind and I am doing what you asked which is to shine some light on your dilemma.

Ultimately, just like habits help us make more effective decisions by automatating a lot of our active decision making, you at some point have to cut your thoughts up into neat chunks in order for your mind to be able to digest them. In your case, it may require you to brainstorm a whole bunch of ideas out, just let everything flow onto a piece of paper, no matter how silly or stupid. Then sit back and look at what you have brainstormed and pull out just three things that you would like to work on specifically. That means discarding all the other possibilities that you came up with. This should be accompanied by time frames when you expect to do these things and what results you would expect from following these paths.

By actively deciding the top three things you want to pursue, maybe that is a way to deal with the opportunities in front of you, but as I have mentioned above, as I try to peer between the lines of what you have written, I can't help feeling that there is something much deeper in your mind than just the opportunities. Again, Dee, that is for you to decide and come to terms with, but I hope this helps shine some light on your dilemma.

-- Mark Zorro (zorromark@consultant.com), October 08, 2000.

You've arrived at life's toughest question... what do I want to do next. I'm over 50 and still asking... but that's healthy. The key is to try to get in touch with what is bothering you. I agree with Mark that brainstorming what your ideas are, and what your feelings are, will help. You have natural training skills and they can be used for a huge number of things. But if you love what you do, the chances are pretty good that you will love continuing to train. Since training is done everywhere, you have a million choices. What you don't say is whether your training skills are focussed mainly on technical skills or whether you also do or want to do training in human relations areas, which are different in many ways and might require additional skill development that could be added to what you already do. Most people grow throughout life by adding to the skills they already have and expanding the areas of challenge around a core that is already there, rather than trying an entirely new field. Alternatively, you may already have a second field of interest where you are practiced and effective. These are the places to start looking for expansion - why brainstorm into an area where you have such a huge learning curve that you start over a square one, unless you really hate what you're doing. Today, there are so many variations and specialties that can grow out of what you are already doing that it makes sense to follow them first... following toward what makes you interested again or excited... that is the real key. What interests you, you will enjoy doing more and more of... and that will make you better at it. "Follow your excitement..." and you will make a great living at it.

-- Dave Crisp (dcrisp62@home.com), October 15, 2000.