Purpose, Passion and Perserverance

Victor Frankl's book, Man's Search For Meaning, drew on his intense experiences during the Holocaust.  One conclusion was that survivors often had a vivid goal or purpose that kept them focused on life beyond the barbed wire.  Career choices are much less-life or-death, but the "where do you want to be in 5 years?" interview question implies the importance of a plan. 

David Brooks, in a NYT article entitled "The Summoned Self" (08/03/10) draws a distinction between 'The Well-Planned Life' and one that seeks to answer the question of 'what are my present circumstances summoning me to do?'  He proposed that the planned approach is more common in America than elsewhere.  He cites an interesting notion from Clayton Christensen (Harvard Business Review) that 'people with a high need for achievement commonly misallocate their resources -- in an effort to produce tangible results in the short-term, more important areas, like growing a family -- may get the short shrift.' 

Our job crisis is causing some people to take a less-planned road.  For example, early career lawyers are applying for unpaid prosecutor jobs at the state and federal level.  In Atlanta, nearly 40 applicants competed for 4 unpaid positions, which normally pay in the $70 - 100K range.  The goal?  Gain essential experience.  (USA Today, 08/02/10) 

When Ricky Skaggs,  a 1985 Country Music Association's Entertainer of the Year, found himself outside the mainstream, he stuck out on his own and returned to his bluegrass roots. Nearly 15 years later, he has an album, "Mosaic", in which he returns to a full band lineup. (The Hartford Courant, 08/03/10) 

I commonly hear employers looking for applicants with passion -- which makes a good argument for finding creative ways to do what makes your heart go pitty-pat.