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I just posted something from Seth Godin a couple days ago, but he’s just that good. This was his latest post. Have a read and see why you matter.

During my week as a Yoga Instructor in Week 7, I met Henri. I remember he said to me:

“When my students come into the class, it is my opportunity to impact the outer world through my inner studio. If I can change their mindsets, so that when they leave here, they are feeling calm and relaxed, that will alter how they experience the rest of their day and the other people they encounter. In doing so, I am creating a ripple effect far beyond I know the implications of.”

Every day we have the power to impact those around us – a kind word, a genuine smile, an inspiring blog post – whether that impact is positive or negative is up to us to decide. The important thing to remember is that either way, our ripples will be felt.

A classic cartoon from the creators of South Park, set to a short lecture by Alan Watts, the renowned Zen philosopher.

What do you think of the ideas in the film? Share your thoughts in the comments!

In Dec 2008, Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs gave a provocative talk on castrating lambs, ancient philosophy, and why “following your passion” was the worst advice he ever received.

Watch the film and leave your comments!

Today the next season of American Idol kicks off. (I know, how can that show still be on?)

But seriously, I bet you’ve wondered to yourself: why didn’t Sean try a one week job as an American Idol contestant? You don’t have to wonder anymore, because Sean actually did try out one season.

It was all captured on tape (or should I say animation) here:

Photo by Stephen Poff

I received this question from a reader and thought it would be interesting to give my answer, but also share with other readers.

Q: Can everyone really pursue their true passion in life? If this were the case, you’d have an influx of people pursuing the same careers (rock star, athlete, pilot, actor, author, etc). Who would do the run-of-the-mill jobs that we need to keep our society running?

A: Great question. When I was a Radio DJ, I asked the morning host how he got into radio.

He said that many radio DJ’s are actually “failed musicians” – meaning they originally tried to support themselves by being rockstars, but for a variety of reasons, couldn’t quite make it. But, he said that being a radio DJ allows him to be involved in the same industry, interact with the same people, and cultivate his passion for music.

It made me think that we don’t all have to be rockstars, because we might be equally as happy being the guy who hands the rockstar their guitar.

In theory, could everyone pursue their true passion in life? I don’t know.

Might take some juggling to make it work. Though I’ve realized that there are many ways to pursue our passions, whether being involed in the industry in some way like this radio DJ, or looking to satisfy your passion outside of work.

Got a question for Sean? Send it to oneweekjob@gmail.com

What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments!

[hattip This Buried Life]

Are you prepared for the Generation We revolution? According to the above video, it’s coming – hot on the heels of the cynicism that permeated the 90′s.

It’s no longer cool not to care. The coming generation has realized the stakes are too high to leave in others’ hands. They’ve decided to get involved. To use our power and opportunity to change the old paradigm.

In many ways, this is what One Week Job is all about. With respect paid to our parents for creating a cushion of stability, our goal is to redefine our relationship to work.

The old thinking says, “Work has to be hard. It’s not meant to be enjoyable. You can do what you really want when you’re retired.”

The new thinking says, “Work and passion are not mutually exclusive. Life is not retirement. Life is right now.”

Check the Generation We for more info and download the free e-book.

Following in the footsteps of Sean’s project, a new seeker is searching for his passion.

Daniel Seddiqui is crossing the US, sampling different careers and cultures, and blogging about the experience on his site Living The Map.

In his own words, Daniel writes:

The objective is to travel all 50 states to work 50 different careers in 50 weeks. Sound
Crazy? I’m on a mission to explore various careers, environments, and cultures that America has to offer. I will explore the lifestyle that each state has to offer by choosing one career per state; a career that is popular and represents that state.

While Sean’s journey unrolled organically from week to week, Daniel has things a bit more prepared. He spent months leading up to his trip securing paid and non-paid positions (so far he’s confirmed 35).

He’s also up-front about his desire to chronicle his adventure in a book.

My inspiration to travel the country and work various careers comes from the people. Whenever I travel, I am intrigued where people live where they live and work where they work. Nothing is more appealing than the contrasts.

Daniel is now in Week 6 of his career journey. So far he’s worked in a Mormon temple in Utah, as a rodeo announcer in South Dakota, a hydrologist in Colorado, and a Cartographer in North Dakota.

Congrats on taking the leap Dan! And best of luck on your journey.

Here is a really interesting segment that was broadcast on 60 minutes and was passed on to me. It gives some good insight into my generation. If the video below is slow to load up, here is the link to the story.

This comment was left by Izabella Tabarovsky, a career exploration and transition coach. I found it very interesting so thought that I would share.

———–

Hi Sean,

I can’t tell you how much I’m inspired by your project and your message. Your statement in “My Generation” sounds like a manifesto I would sign a hundred times over! Really, wake up, people, realize that you were not supposed to waste your lives working in boring, soul-destroying jobs where you leave your spirit at home along with your values, passions, and creativity! There is more to life than that, and it is your responsibility to apply all the gifts you were given – not just the ones your company wants you to use for its own purposes.

This is a subject that really gets me going, because I’ve spent most of my life looking for that amazing feeling of connection in the work that I do – the feeling where work feels like play, where you can’t wait to get up in the morning and get back to work, where you’d do what you’re doing even if you weren’t getting paid for it. I, too, tried out many different occupations and did a lot of soul-searching to discover who I was and what I had to contribute. Now, at 38, I finally have it, and I’ve made it my mission to help others find their true path.

One of my favorite authors, Marsha Sinetar, who wrote the bestselling career exploration classic “Do What You Love, The Money Will Follow,” says: “Work needs to fit my personality just as shoes need to fit my feet, otherwise I’m destined for discomfort.” And also: “Our right work is just as important to personality health and growth as the right nutrients are for our bodies.”

I’d take it even further. In my view, our right work is an essential part of our spiritual growth. To search is more natural than not to search. It really is a part of being human. So to all of you who are still searching – don’t give up! It’s all part of the journey, pieces of the puzzle. One day they’ll come together, and then you’ll know that all was not in vain!

I’ve commented on your project on my blog for my readers, and I look forward to continuing to track your adventure. I really feel there is a quiet (or maybe not so quiet) revolution taking place in our society – a revolution in how we as a culture view work and our relationship with it. Your generation is definitely leading the way, and people who are older are beginning to wake up as well. As a career exploration and transition coach, I’m going to do all I can to help that along!

Izabella Tabarovsky
www.projectcreativevision.com

Steve Jobs, chief executive officer and co-founder of Apple Computer and of Pixar Animation Studios, gave the 2005 commencement speech for Stanford University. It is quite insightful and I think re-assuring to those who find themselves in a similar situation to myself.

You can find the entire speech here:
Watch it or Read it

Here are the points that I will take away from it:

On connecting the dots;

“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.”

On finding what you love;

“You’ve got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don’t settle.”

On our limited amount of time;

“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose.”

On listening to yourself;

“Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

Enjoy!

-Sean

We finished up at the Hespeler Animal Hospital yesterday and are heading off to Montreal tomorrow. Louise treated Ian and I to lunch yesterday which was really kind of her. It was great to have some time to sit down and chat away from the hospital setting.

We spoke about her business, work-life balance, managing the level of professionalism with employees so not to risk the loss of authority or respect, having a positive attitude, and she told us about this cool cycling event she is participating in this September. It’s to raise money for The Farley Foundation. Animal care can be quite expensive and The Farley Foundation helps seniors and disable persons on limited incomes pay for the necessary treatment of their pets. Louise is raising funds for the 100km bike ride, here is how to make a donation to help her out. Just say the donation is to support Dr. Louise Langlais, Hespeler Animal Hospital for the ride.

Next week is slightly different because my job starts on Thursday and goes to Monday. It is because I will be working with Roots Canada and helping out with their involvement in the Toronto International Film Festival. So, we are taking off to Montreal until next Wednesday, where hopefully we will be able to catch up on everything and get somewhat organized for what will be a busy next few weeks. If you are in town and want to meet up, give us a shout.

I wrote an article for TheTyee.ca that came out today, it has my 5 must read blog recommendations and I wrote a paragraph for each one in the article.

• One Red Paperclip
• Brave New Traveler
• Seth Godin
• Steve Pavlina
• Get Rich Slowly

We will be in Toronto from Wednesday night to the following Monday and we are not too sure where we will be staying as of yet. Any ideas, send them our way!

Cheers,

-Sean

Mark Anderson recently wrote a provocative column for the Ottawa Sun, examining Sean and the One Week Job project from a new angle.

He writes:

“To a greater or lesser extent, we’re all defined by what we do. Worse yet if we’re not doing what we think we should be doing, if we’re not “living up to our potential” (an angst-ridden phrase if ever there was one). Young people in particular struggle with issues of identity and career, of who they are and what they should be doing with their lives.”

I believe this partly explains Sean’s own decision to strike on the road, searching for that “perfect job” that could define who he is in life, and what he has accomplished.

But is Sean the guy to do it? As Mark continues:

“You can argue that Aiken is not an ideal role model for today’s youngsters, that by age 25 he’s no longer a child, but a man, and men work at careers, and careers, by definition, involved a degree of stick-to-it-ness and stamina, and sometimes even clenched jaws and indigestion.”

That’s not to say you should mistake arbitrary hard work for an inability to explore your options. Says Mark,

“If you graduate high school and know in your heart of hearts what it is you want to do with the rest of your life, by all means get on with it. Few, however, are in this rarefied position.”

In the end, does anyone really find their purpose in life? And can it be combined with their passion? One reader defined the idea of purpose in a unique way, that certainly fits the idea for One Week Job:

“Like so many of us who believe we don’t know our “Purpose” and need to find it – our purpose truly is more of a guide or compass than an actual destination. “

What do you think about purpose and passion? Share your thoughts in the comments!

I am currently in Vancouver for a good friends wedding this weekend. I am not working a One Week Job this week – Ian and I are trying to get things all organized to head out to Toronto this Sunday where we will start production of our new Internet TV Show.

Here is something that Ian brought to my attention a while back that I thought was pretty cool.

There are so many definitions of the word success, and so I don’t really like using the word too much. But, no matter how you define it, here is great video describing what some “successful” people have said on how they got to where they did.

We are always told these things, just a matter of starting to believe in it I guess.

My career coach, Alan Kearns, has a new book that came out the end of last month. Alan is one of Canada’s foremost experts on all things relating to careers with more than 14 years of experience coaching people through successful career changes.

His new book is called, “Get the Right Job, Right Now.” It is a uniquely Canadian view on managing your career and blends in different tools, websites as well people’s stories (such as Leonard Lee from Lee Valley tools, Diane Francis, among others).

If you visit the website, there is a draw for 50 copies of the book and the first chapter is also available to download.

Here is the link: “Get the Right Job, Right Now.”