So, I wish that that was true.  I was walking Brady dog  yesterday and ran into Bill, the gregarious, handsome, warm, intelligent and beloved social hub of the hood.  He told me that he had worked for years in high tech, was much respected but unfortunately laid off four years ago.  Bill is 63.  He had applied for 74 positions in the past two years and there was always much excitement about his resume, interviews seemingly went well—–and then nothing.  Bill said to me: “Uncle!  I can’t believe I’ll have to default on the mortgage.  I’ve just reached the end of resources.”

This is my story too (well, in upcoming posts, the ‘rest of the story’ will emerge…).  Laid off, applications sent out for positions I was highly qualified for, interviews had (which I consider my forte)—and then nothing.  I finally realized about a year ago that I was finished.  Finished with going about trying to obtain a job the traditional way; I was not going to subject myself to such a futile effort any longer, especially with the job market as it is.  I needed to get creative, think outside the box…..and then I met Sean.

Going Gray

Bill has a great head of hair: thick, wavy–and silver.  My hair is also silver.  It wasn’t always this way:)

About two years ago, I was shopping in Fred Meyer and was told cheerily by the cashier that “golly you are lucky–, today is Tuesday, senior discount day, and you’ll receive 10% off  your total purchase!”  WHAT??  You think I’m a friggin’ SENIOR??  Well, crap.  The past few years have taken their toll (more later in the ‘emerging story’) but sheesh, I’m not ready for this!  Are we ever?  Clearly my dyed hair was not fooling anyone, and it was my children who encouraged me: “Mom, you should go gray.”  I’m now loving my newish gray/silvery hair color.  The business world often does not.

Last week the Oregonian newspaper featured an article titled “Working Women Daring to Go Gray.”  The good news: as one woman put it, “It’s a bold statement to be gray…people take me more seriously now.”  The bad news, as one man put it, laughing: “I don’t think a woman in the workplace is going to follow that trend (going gray)…If I were an older working person, the last thing I would do is go gray.”  SCOFF!  Really?  Really?  How dare he!  Song insert: “It’s a Man’s World.”  And then I think of Bill; ageism is not just for women. 

I remember my mother saying she didn’t recognize the gray, wrinkled woman looking back at her in the mirror–that inside she still felt like the youthful, vital woman she always was.  I understand now how she feels as I live with the everchanging visage in my mirror (which, by the way I comically thought of as just a stage I was going through).  Although now I rather comfortingly do not get stared at and husseled as I did even in my recent “attractive” years, I do often have the sense of feeling invisible now—somewhat diminished and less relevant.  I am beginning to see that this adventure I am on is really a quest not so much to find a “job” but also to recapture that vitality, and to share my  experience and transformation with others.

And, by the way, Bill was offered a great job this week through friends who truly know his worth.

—Linda

Mom and me in Santa Barbara

In October of 2011, I attended a mini high-school reunion (the 41st!) in my hometown of Santa Barbara, California.  Although I’ve lived in Oregon now for many years, there is a big part of me that still considers myself a Californian.  The chief reason for that: the beach.  The place I love most on the planet (thus far!) is a beach we used to call Henry’s Beach in Santa Barbara.  When I am walking on this particular sandy retreat, I experience such bliss as I hunt for shells, listen to the waves, watch the birds as they forage, smell that unique sea breeze completely present with the joy of experiencing this familiar place.

It is with this contentment that I boarded the plane in Los Angeles to take me home to Oregon.  (OK: Oregon has a beautiful ocean too but for a Californian, there is a big difference between the “coast” and the “beach!”).  As I sat in my aisle seat, I noticed that the plane was filling up quickly, but the window seat next to me continued to remain vacant.  Just as I was beginning to think Yes!…I’ll have some space around me…in walked an good looking young man with beautiful blonde dreadlocks, and he gestured that the vacant seat was his.  We said a brief, cordial hello to each other then turned to our own amusements for the first part of our journey.

After awhile, we struck up a conversation sharing a bit about where we were flying from and to (he was flying home to Vancouver, B.C. after spending time at the Burning Man festival in Nevada).  He told me his name was Sean Aiken, and then proceeded to tell me about the project he has created: The One Week Job Project.  And that he had just had a book published and a documentary released about this project—and that he has been an invited guest on many national and international radio and TV shows discussing his project.

As I listened to him talk about his story, I was incredibly impressed with his intelligence, maturity, clarity of vision and his ability to connect so fully in our conversation. A rare human being, indeed. As we talked more and I recounted my own checkered career path over the years a germ of an idea began to take hold.  I talked about my masters degree in speech communication which I had made use of over the years in the nonprofit world and in sales.  I also had worked many short-term jobs over the years simply to pay the bills, but no job had ever been my “passion.”

I shared with Sean that my passion has always been caring for and loving my two children–and singing–that I was born with a vocal gift and had sung for decades but not recently, and not for years except sporadically.  I found myself telling Sean that I felt such a great loss in not having made the decision to really pursue my music and design my life to include my singing.  I found myself reflecting on Sean’s experience with trying to find his passion by trying all sorts of jobs, and I disclosed to him that I had been under-employed or unemployed for the past 3 years and was actively looking for a new career to take me through the next chapter in my life.

That’s when I got the idea: I, an almost-60-year-old woman could take the challenge of Sean’s 52 jobs/one job per week/for one year and by so doing redesign and redefine my life, perhaps find a passion, hopefully find a career, re-energize myself in the process and perhaps help others to re-energize their lives.  As I was telling this idea to Sean, his eyes lit up and he said “I absolutely know that we were supposed to meet and this is what you’re supposed to do!”

Sean was especially touched by hearing about my incredibly youthful 85 year old mother who has the energy of a 30 year old and who always wanted to find her passion and actively pursue something she loved, but her life was limited by the constraints of society’s rigid roles of what was expected of a woman.

With that thought, we both remarked on how short life was and that this was an opportunity for me to design an adventure based on the integrity of Sean’s 52-job journey.

Welcome to the “Never Too Late: the Redesigning and Redefining of a Woman’s Life, Passion and Career” experience!

I hope you join me for the journey!

-Linda
linda@oneweekjob.com

We’re looking for a sponsor. For details, contact sean@oneweekjob.com

I met Linda when we were seated beside each other on a plane in September 2011. We immediately had a great connection and quickly got into deep conversation. Linda told me that as she approaches the age of 60, she’s beginning to feel somewhat diminished, less confident and less relevant, despite having amassed many valuable life and professional skills.

After raising my two children, working a variety of jobs, being unemployed and underemployed (despite being highly educated), seeing long-held dreams slip away, and losing my life partner to brain cancer, I began wondering, ‘Now who am I? And where do I go from here?’

The One-Week Job Project is an idea that resonates, regardless of age. It strikes a chord that is intimately human – at some point in our lives we all must look deep inside ourselves to answer the question, “What should I do with my life?”

And yet it’s not just a question faced by recent college grads. Linda’s story is one that is shared by millions – empty nest parents who sidetracked their career to raise a family, those starting over after a divorce, or recently laid off, or retired – it’s a question we’ll continue to face at different points throughout our lives.

Today, many baby boomers are very active and want to get involved to make a difference. At the same time they may also be experiencing the difficulty of reconciling past dreams that are no longer possible, finding the strength to create new dreams, and to summon the courage to pursue them.

It’s an important conversation and a transition that currently many feel they must face alone. Linda’s courage to be vulnerable and to share her journey is sure to bring inspiration to all those who find themselves a little bit older with well earned life experience, and who refuse to believe that the best part of their life is behind them. As Linda says, “It’s never too late!”

One Week Job: USA is set to launch in Summer 2012. Leading up to Week #1, Linda will be blogging at OneWeekJob.com about her reflections, inspirations, musings, etc. as she prepares for the start of her adventure.

- Sean

Join the journey!

• Read Linda’s blog
• Offer Linda a One Week Job, a place to stay, or words of encouragement:
  linda@oneweekjob.com
• We’re looking for a sponsor. For details, contact project founder, Sean Aiken:
  sean@oneweekjob.com
• Sign up for updates, grab our newsletter (top right of page) —>
• Read Linda’s bio

Here is Paul’s official introduction of OWJ Australia and our partnership with SEEK.

SEEK will support by:

• Documenting Paul’s story through social media and posting videos of his work experience on the seek.com.au YouTube channel
• Connecting Paul with employers and business owners across Australia in a bid to help him find his passion.

I first contacted a representative at SEEK before Christmas to tell them about One Week Job and our plans to launch OWJ Australia with 24-year-old Brisbane resident, Paul Seymour. Immediately they were interested in getting involved. Their brand promise is a perfect fit – “SEEK and you shall find.” We both believe that people should love what they do and recognize the importance of finding fulfillment in both our careers and life.

In February, I was in Melbourne, Australia to meet with the team at SEEK and to finalize how the partnership would work out. They truly are an awesome company with great people!

We’re looking forward to working with them for years to come as we help empower people around the world to discover their passion!

Follow Paul’s journey at OneWeekJob.com.au.

-Sean

I’ll tell myself – This is the year. It’s time… It’s time.

The words carry profound resolve and belief; yet at the same time harbor a seed of inadequacy. I’ll inevitably feel as if I didn’t do enough, that I could have done more. The New Year beckons and once again I’m enamored with its anything-is-possible, be-all-you-can-be type optimism. I have a passion for possibility.

And while yes, anything IS possible, without defining what that “anything” is, even vaguely, it’s difficult to evaluate our progress and we risk feeling as if another year is over and nothing has changed.

For 2012, I’ve decided to write down both specific goals I plan to realize the year ahead, and also less tangible goals that are associated with a feeling I’d like to embody one year from today. In reflecting on the past, trying to gauge just how far we’ve come, it’s easy to focus on “the numbers”– mountains conquered, countries visited, workshops attended, hobbies acquired – I think it’s equally if not more important to reflect on how these achievements impacted us. Did they add to us, or take away? The aspects of our life that typically add a more profound sense of contentment are not as easy to measure – for example, our personal and spiritual growth or our friendships and connection with family.

In writing goals down for 2012, my hope is that when 2013 approaches I can look back and see how I grew.

But first, I thought it would be beneficial to reflect on my 2011. I’d forgotten how much happened – thanks to Google calendar for reminding me.

An incredible highlight of the year came in January with the premiere of our feature length documentary, One Week Job, on national Canadian television (CBC Documentary Channel), and at the Pacific Cinematheque theater in Vancouver. It was sold out, with a line up down the block! This kicked off the One Week Job Discover Your Passion cross country tour.

From there, the tour continued and I spoke at 43 different colleges, universities, high schools, and companies across Canada. From Vancouver to Halifax, it was an epic road trip in the middle of a Canadian winter. Brrrr…

At the end of the tour, I headed to Hawaii with my family to celebrate my mom’s retirement. Way to go, mom!

From there I headed to Mexico to meet up with a group of friends to celebrate one of my best friends birthday – a great way to finish up the tour, and kick off spring.

In spring, I was honored by my Alma Mater, Capilano University, with a One To Watch Alumni award. I also started running in preparation for a 31km Stroke Awareness run inspired by stroke survivor Ernie Kasper who asked me to run with him. At the 29km mark, Ernie had a seizure, but still found the strength to finish the run afterward – very inspiring!

This past summer was a year of weddings and workshops – 5 weddings in which I was the MC at one (my first time!), and 3 workshop retreats on the beautiful Cortes Island at Hollyhock Resort: Social Change Institute, The Art Of Leadership, and African Drum and Dance.

I also turned 30 with an amazing 80’s themed party boat celebration with 50 of my closest friends – it was truly special, and no doubt the highlight of my summer!

I was fortunate enough to once again attend the Burning Man festival in Nevada. 50,000 people come together to create a temporary city, based on a gift economy. Something to experience at least once in life.

This fall I was back on the speaking circuit with another 18 speaking engagements, the highlight of which was speaking at TEDx Vancouver in November. A beautiful theater, Chan Center for Performing Arts, packed with 1000 inspiring people all with interesting ideas to share.

Credit: JeremyLim.ca

In December we launched One Week Job: Australia. Our first international market with 24-year-old, Paul Seymour, setting out to find his passion working 52 jobs in 52 weeks throughout Australia.

And as for the immeasurable 2011?

In short… this New Years Eve I was lucky to be with some very close friends. At one point in the evening, the six of us found ourselves in a circle arm over arm. I asked the group, “What is one thing you are grateful for in 2011?”

As the question went around, I tried not to think of what my answer would be, to just listen and trust that when it was my turn to speak the answer would arrive. It did.

I closed my eyes and heard myself say, “I’m grateful to be one step closer to loving myself unconditionally.”

As I start 2012, the intention I will hold is this – “Live your love.”

This is the year. It’s time… It’s time.

- Sean

Since I completed my 52 jobs in 52 week experience in 2008, I’ve received emails from people around the world interested in setting up the One Week Job Project in their country. We’ve decided that Australia will be the first foreign market!

Paul Seymour, 24-year-old Brisbane, Queensland resident, will be working 52 jobs in 52 weeks throughout Australia to find his passion. All of Paul’s wages will be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Australia, and he will document his experience over at the One Week Job: Australia website.

Week #1 begins November 28th, 2011.

Same concept as my original experience throughout North America – anyone, anywhere in Australia can offer Paul a One Week Job. He will travel Australia, working a different job each week and share his experience through blog posts, pictures, and video updates at OneWeekJob.com.au

Australia’s Career Coach, Helene Larson, will help guide Paul throughout his career search, lending her insight and expertise as Paul learns about himself and what he ultimately needs in a career to be happy.

Please help spread the word about the project, and send your Aussie friends to the One Week Job: Australia site. Paul is now looking for One Week Job offers!

As all of Paul’s wages are being donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Australia, a company sponsorship is currently being sought to help cover the associated expenses of the yearlong project. If your company, or any company you know, is interested in sponsoring One Week Job: Australia, please send them to the sponsor page. There is a huge opportunity to receive widespread media exposure throughout Australia.

I’ll be traveling to Australia in January to facilitate the launch of One Week Job: Australia, to act as a mentor to Paul, and to help promote the project in media interviews, and at speaking events throughout the country.

We are so grateful to be spreading the message of One Week Job internationally. It’s an important conversation that strikes a chord that is intimately human – at some point in our lives we all must look deep inside ourselves to answer the question, “What should I do with my life?”

A fulfilling career helps cultivate a fulfilling life, both for ourselves and those around us. When we are fulfilled in our careers, this happiness positively contributes to our family, friendships, we become more engaged in our communities, and we help create a better world!

Thanks for your support as we continue on this important journey together!!

- Sean

I’ve been thinking a lot about love lately.

Why do we choose to love who we do? Are we capable of loving everyone?

In the past, I’ve been very selective of my love – reserved only for those close to me, namely family and friends. I only have so much love to give and I must be careful who I choose to share it with, I thought. If I love too much, reveal too much, become too vulnerable, I’ll stretch myself too thin, lose control, and it will only lead to hurt.

But when given freely, without the expectation of reciprocation, our love is infinite. It doesn’t take away from us, or make us weak, it makes us stronger. It grants permission to love ourselves. Love heals hurt.

When my heart is full, I feel that I have enough love for everyone in this world.

Of course I don’t have to love everyone; it’s a matter of holding in my heart the belief that I am capable of loving each person I encounter as much as I love those closest to me. The possibility exists.

And just because I hold love in my heart for someone doesn’t mean that I would choose to spend time with them, or always condone their behaviour. It’s the recognition and respect of a fellow human being, knowing that no matter what appearance they project to the world, they, like I, crave love, intimacy, and belonging. They are my brother or sister on their unique journey of life.

If we approach each encounter with love and respect, we release our fears, acknowledge our similarities, and open our hearts to a more authentic interaction and meaningful connection.

In practicing love, I try to ask myself after each exchange: Did I leave that person with a little more love than when we first met? Did I add love to their life or perhaps take some away?

When I’m fully present with an open heart, I find myself speaking with people and at moments saying in my mind, “I love you”, or “You’re beautiful.” It may be someone I’ve known for a long time, or a new friend that I met in the street or at a coffee shop. The thought typically arises when I let go of judgement; when I see, hear, and accept them as they truly are; when I acknowledge their truth and embrace the divine in both of us.

A profound recognition of our similarities; I see myself in them.

It’s not important whether that love is reciprocated. When we offer our love freely, with pure intention, it’s irrelevant how it’s received. The beauty and wholeness we feel exists in the act of loving.

To fully engage in life, we must love. For love elicits life.

So let us not be selective of our love. Let us give it openly and freely – to ourselves, to each other, to each day, and to each beautiful breath of this magnificent moment.

And with that my dear friend, I wish to say… I love you

-Sean

Photo: Chris Devers of a Banksy graffiti piece

I received a semi-critical email a while back and finally got to responding to it this week. The majority of emails/feedback I receive are extremely supportive, but every so often there is someone who sees the One Week Job Project, and what it represents, in a different light.

I wanted to share the email with you and my response. It’s likely that other people might have had similar questions, and so this way I can share my perspective with everyone.

—————

Yes we should all have jobs we like, but not all of us have the opportunity to leave Tim Hortons, Canadian Tire or the local warehouse… Yet we still came to the same realization that we should all be doing a job we like.  Is that not you’re main point?

Kind of. I think it’s important that we’re able to fulfill our passions in some aspect of our life – it doesn’t all have to be in our job. We may not all have the opportunity to leave Tim Hortons, Can Tire, etc, but we do have the opportunity to explore our passions outside of work. I met a lot of people who weren’t in their dream job, but they were content with their position because it allowed them to fulfill their passions outside of work. When we don’t have an outlet to express our creativity or explore what truly fulfills us, I believe that can lead to discontent. Alternatively, when we are fulfilled by what we do, whether in a career or outside of work, that improves our relationships with our family and friends while making us more likely to contribute to our community.

It’s adorable your website says you were a Chiropractor for a week, a Radio DJ or even Brewmaster! Obviously that’s a bit of an embellishment considering these sound more like week long take your kid to work day. Maybe I’m wrong?

Most jobs I was actually doing the job, ie: on the air as a Radio DJ, assisting the vet with tests as a Vet assistant. Other jobs that were more technical, ie: Chiropractor, Tattoo artist, it was more of a job shadowing experience.

Have you ever worked in fast food? Retail?  For more than a week?  For more than 6 months even?  Have you worked 60 hour weeks for months at a time?  I didn’t do these things for a lack of courage to change, it was to seek my own enlightenment and generate enough income to live.

Great! In whatever we’re doing, I believe that’s the ultimate goal – to seek our own enlightenment – regardless of the path we choose to get there. Everyone’s path will be different.

The silver lining is, you’re very positive and seem to pass that along to many.  I just think you forget that some people simply have limitations.  What you did was unique. Why? Because most people don’t have the opportunities you have. I would love for you to prove me wrong.. Such a positive message should be passed along. So with my e-mail in mind can you explain how someone can “take a leap” to find a career they love without money and without education past high school?

Thanks! In regards to your question, I was extremely surprised how open employers were to sharing their knowledge about their profession. I suggest that people think about what interests them and professions that they think might be the right fit. Then, before fully committing to going for it, see if you can volunteer with someone in the industry, or take them for coffee to find out as much as you can and if it might be right for you. Why they like it, what are the challenges, how does someone get into the industry… I think the most important thing is to DO. To get into the work force, no matter what job we have to take. As we do, we learn more about ourselves, develop skills, and get closer to figuring out what our ideal career would be.

Again, I hope to hear from you.  Hope this didn’t come off as a Sean bashing session. Obviously you made me think a little or I wouldn’t give this the time of day.  To be honest, some of this may be spoken out of jealously.  I would have loved to do some of the things you’ve done.

All good bud! Thanks for sharing your story and thoughts!

—————

I used to feel down when people didn’t “get it” – I wanted to speak with each one directly to explain where I was coming from. During my year I was given some great advice to deal with it: “A third of people will love what you’re doing. A third of people will hate what you’re doing. And a third of people won’t care what you’re doing.”

When you put yourself out there, you’re bound to face some critics, but I’ve found the most important thing for me is to know why I’m doing what I’m doing, and to know that my intentions are genuine. This applies even when the feedback is positive, and there is an inclination to feed the ego.

Or, if you prefer a good Buddha quote:

“As a solid rock cannot be moved by the wind, the wise are not shaken by praise or blame.”