Uninterested or unfulfilled potential?

A buddy of mine was in town this weekend. That meant I played tour guide. That does not, however, mean we're in for a flighty Monday travel guide as I bring you along on our touristy, beer-soaked weekend travels.

Not the fare you're looking for this morning? Look away. I'll be back to frivolity tomorrow, surely.

I appreciate it when somebody takes the time to speak honestly (and seriously) about something with me. I don't want to be someone who floats through life without at least being aware that I'm floating through life.

A very good friend was in town this weekend and questioned what I was doing with my life. Which, in short, has involved playing a significant amount of PS3 games, exercising and blogging for the past 12 months. This did not impress my friend. "You're a bright guy," I paraphrased what he said. "You could easily be making a lot more than you are now. And you don't love working evening hours like you do at your current job. What are you doing?"

Great quest. No idea, is the answer. So, here's your chance to play career guidance counselor. Or maybe I just need 100 cyber life coaches. The premise here is that maybe it's SO obvious to you and I just can't see the forest for the trees.

I know what I don't like. I don't like working late evening hours. I don't like coming home to a wife that has been sleeping for 2 or 3 hours and a pitch-black house (sometimes she forgets to put on the porch light. I still like her.) I don't like living places I don't want to live, so moving somewhere sucky is out. I also don't like working 60 hours a week and I definitely don't like school. Law school is definitely out.

But enough about me. Just kidding. Here's more about me. I also know what I like. I like my wife. A lot. I like running, golfing, skiing and playing with my dog. I like people. I like volunteering. I like entertaining people. I also like buffalo wings, but I don't see how that applies here.

Help me out. Given these facts, the sky is the limit. What would you do? Write a novel? Volunteer your time and take care of kids? Take a 9-to-5 sales job at the AT&T store? Or at the local bank? Seriously, that's who is hiring right now. Become a dog trainer?

Here's the catch: Until now, I've been motivated by competition. I love proving myself. The thing is, it becomes all-encompassing. That's not cool. I'm not going to die wishing I had worked more. But I don't really *feel* like doing anything. Does anybody?

The part that gets me, the part I'd already mentioned to The Wife, is that my friend was right. It seems as though the headline for the story of my life could be "Unfilled potential." That sounds like libel to some. To me, it sounds better and better all the time. If "unfilled potential" means traveling, spending time with friends and family and less stress, I'm not sure I object. Is it time to become a ski lift operator?

That only makes me think of this: The greatest ski movie of all time.

Your help is, of course, welcome on Facebook, in the comments or via e-mail.

Comments

  1. David CorriveauMarch 21, 2011 at 5:55 AM

    Hmm ... other than your current work hours, you're getting to do a lot of things you enjoy doing. You've got a great wife and a terrific dog. You live in one of the nicest corners of the earth, with two Bingas Wingas outlets within a 20-minute drive. All this after slaving away much of your adult life to date, especially at the Valley News. I'd say -- and say to well-meaning friends who lecture you about "unfulfilled potential" -- let life come to you for a change. It seems to be working so far. A lot of what we plan, when we plan too much, either comes crashing down around our heads or doesn't fulfill us when we get what we "want." So don't force anything. Roll with it. Maybe volunteer (animal shelter?), otherwise keep running and golfing and seeing to the needs of wife and dog. No rush ...

    ReplyDelete
  2. David CorriveauMarch 21, 2011 at 5:56 AM

    P.S. Did you know that your blog is on Pacific time? At least for comment-posting?

    ReplyDelete
  3. SarahMarch 21, 2011 at 9:27 AM

    I completely understand the life-sucking newspaper hours. I think you're a great writer, and you were great in your radio guest spots as well. So if you felt like you needed a new thing, I'd say you should look into freelancing. I'm not sure what or how. But the hours are yours for the making. And you can work in jammies next to the dog and a plate of buffalo wings. I know small newspapers are always looking for someone to do features, which I think you'd be great at. Not that it solves the making more money thing AT ALL. Or, somehow turn the blog into a cash cow. Or bide your time til The Wife's your sugar momma.

    ReplyDelete
  4. David CorriveauMarch 21, 2011 at 10:18 AM

    Small newspapers are always looking for someone to write features for the glory of seeing your byline, not necessarily for a living wage ...

    ReplyDelete
  5. JillMarch 21, 2011 at 10:41 AM

    You don't work at the Trib anymore. 9-1-1.

    ReplyDelete
  6. dwhiteMarch 21, 2011 at 3:16 PM

    I think you'd make a great high school teacher. Especially for something like drama, speech, journalism. Maybe even music or English. You'd be one of those teachers that make learning fun and who the kids relate to.

    To answer the "what would you do?" question: I'd open a restaurant. Bakery? Cafe? BBQ? Bistro? I'm not sure yet. But it could happen.

    ReplyDelete
  7. JennaMarch 21, 2011 at 7:30 PM

    John is going through this, too. You and he should talk.

    ReplyDelete
  8. JPMarch 21, 2011 at 7:37 PM

    Thanks for all the suggestions, gang. Most of the time I'm all right with not *doing* much of anything. And I'm sure it would be different if I was married. Oh. Right. Well ... it'll get better. I've got some plans, now.

    Teaching sounds amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  9. BobMarch 23, 2011 at 7:13 AM

    Well, Jim, I hear you. I'm 57, doing the kind of "journalism" work I did 30 years ago (chasing cops, fires and perverts for quick web hits). Not that long ago, I wrote prize-winning feature stories. Even got a couple Pulitzer noms. And now, here I am. It depressed me for quite a while. Then it pissed me off. Then, it made me explore what It All Meant. Screw it, I decided. So, I just joined the mass of humanity that does uninspiring work, jobs that aren't the Purpose of their lives. I realized a job is a job is a job -- bottom line, exchange of time and skills for money to pay bills. Purpose comes from outside ourselves, from above ourselves. Living is the Purpose, Living Well and true to the Faith is the goal. The rest? Window dressing. Are you and the Wife happy? Yes? Are you able to smile when you see yourself in the mirror most mornings? Then you're doing just fine, amigo.

    ReplyDelete
  10. MollyMarch 25, 2011 at 8:16 AM

    Travel the world and write about it! Visit all these cool places with your cool wife and cool dog (and cool landlady and daughter?) that have good beer and food! Duh!

    ReplyDelete

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