When it comes to your career are you a planner? Do you have it all figured out step-by-step, promotion-by-promotion?
It appears I’ve misplaced my career plan.
There was a time when I had goals, hell even a bit of ambition. I worked full-time, studied at night, put my hand up for extra responsibilities, took job after job for the experience.
Then I had children, there were diversions, detours and a whole lot of soul-searching “what do I REALLY want to do with my life?” coupled with “what can I ACTUALLY do with two children?”.
When I went back to work I still wanted to do a good job and liked challenging, interesting work, but at the end of the day I didn’t have limitless time to devote to any workplace. There were kids to be picked up and dropped off, homework to be supervised, parent-teacher interviews to attend, athletics carnivals to cheer at, meltdowns to be mopped up and so it went on.
Then I got to a point where the light at the end of the tunnel was looming – two daughters in highschool, one with a mere two years left to go – I did the complete opposite to what a good career planner would do. Instead of leaning in and revving up my work contribution I chucked a mid-life crisis and went back home to write a book.
As the bank balance dwindles and the book fights my every attempt to get it into a coherent state I contemplate where to next?
My career plan at the moment seems to involve becoming a professional “comper”. That’s a person who enters lots of competitions, just in case you aren’t up with the lingo.
There’s a yoghurt comp to win $75,000, a supermarket treasure chest worth $150,000 and an assortment of win $10,000 competitions going. Can a competition count as a financial plan?
OK the yoghurt competition needs 3 x 4 packs of yoghurt for each entry so it’s taking a little bit of dedicated commitment at the moment. The Hippie Child has leapt ahead on the leader board of favoured child because god love her she’s eating the yoghurt. The rest of the family turned up their noses and complained it was taking up too much room in the freezer.
Can I just say that there is a lot of skill involved with keeping up with what store is running which competition, dividing your weekly shop between the three major stores in town and revolving your menu planning around what products are required for entries. And that’s not even taking into account the competitions that need a 25 words-or-less spurt of creativity at the end. This week’s evening meals will incorporate Toblerone Chocolate, yoghurt, Vegemite and chamomile tea – let’s see what those cooks on Ready, Steady, Cook could conjure up from that little glad bag of ingredients!
Can you make a living off competition wins? Wouldn’t that be awesome?
Are you getting the feeling I might be a disappointment to more focused women who have a strategy for career success?
So considering I’ve ripped up any attempt at a sensible plan for the future does anyone have any suggestions for a 40 plus woman, who can write a bit, is good with ideas but not too keen on structure and would really like someone to pay her to sit in her jammies and eat chocolate all day?
And if you can’t help with that – does anyone have any recipes involving yoghurt?
I have no suggestions about careers. I work to live, and though I enjoy my job, once I leave, I have issues/children/husband/animals/farm to attend too. If the farm would make enough money (hahahahaha), I would gladly stay home (that is never going to happen). I do know however, that yoghurt can be used in cakes and muffins.
Lol- can’t help on the rest, but yoghurt does make a light & easy pannacotta :). Visiting on the rewind.
Hadn’t thought about pannacotta that’s a great idea.
I had a maths teacher in high-school who left to become a professional “comper”. That was 15+ years ago, and as far as I know, he supplements his comp income with maths tutoring, but he literally wins thousands in cash/ goods per year. I think the first thing he won was a BMW – that got him started! Visiting from rewind X
Wow, now you’ve given me hope! I need to go buy some more yoghurt.
I am sure I saw a program on professional compers once, seemed like an awful lot of work! Perhaps you could turn your hand as a proof reader or editor?
It is a lot of work!! But incredibly addictive. I’ve joined a site where the compers hangout, some of then average 100 – 200 competition entries on the go at one time, at the moment I’m struggling to crack 40, I’ve obviously got to try harder.
I think my ambition got in the way of my career plan and then, well, my mum always said, “someone has to look after the children”. Turned out, I wanted that person to be me… Professional comper you say? Worth a shot!!! x
Yes those dang kids are a distraction.
If you find that position , link me up to it too please. I think we would work well together hahaha. Loved reading the post
Maybe we could start our business – PJ’s and chocolates for those who just can’t be bothered!
I have thrown in my career plan for the moment in favour of my child and my blog. Go the competitions I say! Popping in from the weekend rewind.
Here’s hoping, and could luck with your deviation from the standard career plan at the moment.
My father in law makes a great fish soaked in yogurt; funny, I was just thinking about it last night. I have no career plan. I have lots and dreams and wishes, but no plan. Yours sounds as good as any. 😉
hello janine –
no yogurt recipes and i’m with lauren, although perhaps tutoring in writing or reading might supplement the comping? i’ve missed visiting – double soccer schedules, etc. best to you and yours, n