I believe I hit the bullseye at least part of the time during my 26-year career in the elementary classroom. I thoroughly enjoyed learning and then implementing best practices affirmed by research, working with the children and watching them grow, as well as collaborating with some outstanding colleagues. Becoming an educator was something I wanted to do from about age 8, when I noticed that teaching looked like fun! Now as a retiree, my "teacher-gene" has found a new niche in mentoring younger women and working in the toddler nursery at church! Another niche is my blog of devotionals--a form of teaching directed at the spirit and the mind. All highly rewarding even if I don't get paid!
Nice Venn diagram; it adds clarity. Learning the basics of a career position was hard work, but was the investment I had to make to reach the reward of a fulfilling contribution. I sense the retirement side hustles are the same. I am always learning new skills, and that’s part of the fun. Thanks for a clear, worthwhile post!
I am a believer of “be good at what you do” comes before “ love what you do”. There is also some truth in Stanley and Lehman’s “Why greatness cannot be planned”.
Yes, I agree. Hard work to become good at what one does often leads to next steps or opens doors to different work. I’ve never read Stanley and Lehman - I’ll check it out! Thanks Yi!
Thanks for another thoughtful reflection! I've been blessed to have hit the bullseye at various times in my life -- using after a lot of fumbling in this job and that one. Now during retirement, I don't need to get paid to do what I love -- sharing Jesus in a classroom and with my written words. Blessed!
We all do a lot of hitting the bullseye and fumbling in this job and that one in our lives, or perhaps I should speak for myself! So glad that you're doing what you love. and in spite of continued fumbling, I too am hitting or getting closer to the bullseye. Thanks, Beth!
I believe I hit the bullseye at least part of the time during my 26-year career in the elementary classroom. I thoroughly enjoyed learning and then implementing best practices affirmed by research, working with the children and watching them grow, as well as collaborating with some outstanding colleagues. Becoming an educator was something I wanted to do from about age 8, when I noticed that teaching looked like fun! Now as a retiree, my "teacher-gene" has found a new niche in mentoring younger women and working in the toddler nursery at church! Another niche is my blog of devotionals--a form of teaching directed at the spirit and the mind. All highly rewarding even if I don't get paid!
Wonderful, Nancy! You are clearly using you gifts well! Thank you!
Nice Venn diagram; it adds clarity. Learning the basics of a career position was hard work, but was the investment I had to make to reach the reward of a fulfilling contribution. I sense the retirement side hustles are the same. I am always learning new skills, and that’s part of the fun. Thanks for a clear, worthwhile post!
Good point, retirement side hustles are efforts by folks to make a fulfilling contribution, and hard work is always a good investment! Thanks, Curt!
I am a believer of “be good at what you do” comes before “ love what you do”. There is also some truth in Stanley and Lehman’s “Why greatness cannot be planned”.
Yes, I agree. Hard work to become good at what one does often leads to next steps or opens doors to different work. I’ve never read Stanley and Lehman - I’ll check it out! Thanks Yi!
Thanks for another thoughtful reflection! I've been blessed to have hit the bullseye at various times in my life -- using after a lot of fumbling in this job and that one. Now during retirement, I don't need to get paid to do what I love -- sharing Jesus in a classroom and with my written words. Blessed!
We all do a lot of hitting the bullseye and fumbling in this job and that one in our lives, or perhaps I should speak for myself! So glad that you're doing what you love. and in spite of continued fumbling, I too am hitting or getting closer to the bullseye. Thanks, Beth!