It’s Friday! And that means it’s time for another edition of Friday Asks Questions! Today’s question is:
If you could give your past self a phone call and were able to talk for only a minute, what advice would you give your younger self?
Hey Jeff, it’s me, future Jeff. I only have a minute, so I’ll try to keep it as compact as possible. Don’t just settle for any job, just because you’re “good at it”. Search for a job that you really want. One where you can use your creativity by really creating something. Not a job where you use your creativity to find workarounds, or solutions to technical problems.
This is a realization that came to me in the past weeks. I’ve always done my job because I was good at it. But just because you’re good at something doesn’t mean you have a passion for it. If it’s even remotely possible, try to follow your passions and see if you can somehow make a living off of them. For you, it will be writing, even if you don’t believe that now. So focus on that! 😉
And never search for love too hard. Love will come to you, eventually! I’ve got to go now, bye!
~Jeffrey
JeffreyDebris.Com 
Jeffrey! “Friday Asks Questions” is a real hit of a format. Don’t you agree???!!! Love your question this week. My answer is not prompted by your question but something I have concluded in recent years that is “a line that connects” all through my life. I would simply tell my former self, “Don’t work so hard at all you do. Take that time for yourself periodically to recreate more.” And if I could sign on to a second question & answer, it would be exactly as yours; to “try to follow your passions and see if you can somehow make a living off of them.” Mine was always to teach history which I did. Where I went wrong was to become a principal instead of teaching less while being a social studies curriculum director. (I DID apply for such positions & almost got one!) And then your expansion of “following your passions”: “Search for a job that you really want. One where you can use your creativity by really creating something. Not a job where you use your creativity to find workarounds, or solutions to technical problems.” –You’ve got it just right! –Now how to implement this & find that position. Sometimes, maybe even your old job after a long talk with your “good boss,” you can tweak your present position into what you want it to be. It may not be possible in your field. My teaching field did have some room for that flexibility. Example: I taught history long enough in one school district to serve on the curriculum revision committee & change the content of the curriculum from 7th grade world history to a combination of world history & the first half of American history (which lead nicely into the 8th grade curriculum of the second half of American history). –Sorry to go on so much here personally in detail. Great question. Maybe my reaction will help you in some way. I had to overcome a dominate father who was determined to make me an attorney! After one semester of law school, I was drafted & sent to Vietnam. Upon my return I started my teaching career. I won, Dad! Phil
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