The Journey Within

Recent late nights (or early mornings) at work have forced me to consider trying a different career path which offers me more flexibility to pursue things I like to do (e.g. tai ji). So I flipped the newspapers and tried applying for something totally unrelated to what I’m doing now.

It was fun looking for something new. It feels like a kid in a candy bar, or in my case, a chocolate factory! My eyes were scanning for anything which seemed interesting to me at that time. So I picked a few – writing for a magazine, a teacher, a librarian. I probably don’t have the credentials to do any of those, but I thought I try anyway. It was fun choosing the adverts, but writing a resume for a different career was much harder than expected.

I couldn’t list out my normal jargon I have used for years within the insurance industry, so I have to stick to common themes in companies. Things like – organisational skills, communication skills, writing skills, computer skills, thinking skills etc. And I have to draw experience from jobs and put them in a “different language” so that others outside the insurance industry can understand them. And I had to do 3 different resumes for all 3 different positions!

The process actually forced me to focus on what I’m really good at. Because I was trying to find common themes among companies, I did not have the luxury to mask my abilities (or inabilities!) under the various jargon. And I had to think hard for examples such as writing skills – I could say that i have a blog, which doesn’t say much about my writing skills! Instead, I put down in my CV about that time when I translated a Chinese article into English for a tai chi magazine – anything goes i guess.

So if you’re thinking of changing career, try writing a resume for it first. Write a resume for your ideal career. Go wild. Assume that it is somewhere out there. You might find out what you’re really good at, and possibly also find out what you really want to do. Hey, it’s a very low risk way to find out more about yourself before quitting your day job!

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On this date 06/06/06, I received 2 offers, both of which could potentialy change my life. First is a career in the insurance industry. Second is a career in the modelling industry (yes, the more popular definition of modelling, nothing to do with computer/financial modelling).

I’ll start with the latter since that is so much more interesting. A girl approached me on the street and told me they were looking for fresh faces for the modelling agency, and would like to take down my number. I looked at her, perplexed, and asked… “me?” and she said… “yah of course. if not why did I approach you in the first place?!!” “oh..” and the curiosity in me gave her my number. Writing about this now, it does sound like a very effective way to get a person’s phone number! Imagine walking up to a girl and telling her she’s got what it takes to become a model. First, you’ve buttered her up with a flattering statement, and then you’ve come up with a perfectly legitimate story of getting her phone number. Amazing… I wonder if that was what she’s doing to me… nah, i think i’m still in dream world.

And speaking of dreams, I was battling with myself whether to rejoin the rat race again. And the answer came from a seemingly unusual source. I was in a bus, sleeping. Must be some long journey. And when I woke up, I realised that the bus had just had its pee break. And was pulling away from the service station. I was desperate for a pee and didn’t want to stop the bus as it has already continued on its journey. Then I realised I have a choice. I can just get off the bus and not continue on the journey. I’m sure other buses will come along. And with that, I jumped out of bed, and raced to the toilet. Aaah… bliss….

I didn’t remember much else about the dream. But I remembered this. There are certain buses in life that come along now and again. You have bought the ticket for the bus. You have already made your choice. If during the journey you just “had to pee”, you can always get off the bus. I wonder if this what is meant by Lucid Dreaming.

So I hope my choice will serve me well. I’ve chosen to become a model. NO no.. that’s not right. I’ve chosen to step into the insurance industry again. I think I know I’ve chosen it. But it took me a day for both the mind and the body to be at peace with it. Maybe more will present itself in the future. Right now, I think I’ll go have some lunch. Might just watch the Omen since so much has come on this day!

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