Have you painted yourself into a corner?

So many of us have.  After writing my last post, I began to think of all of the teachers I knew who thought that teaching was all that they could do.  They had such a limited view of themselves!  Now, think about this... a teacher manages dozens of children (or teenagers) a day.  They design and organize the lessons, manage the curriculum, facilitate learning, supervise and discipline the masses, manage their own reporting and record-keeping, communicate with their peers, supervisors, and customers (the parents) daily.  They are observed and assessed on a regular and frequent basis.  They are driven to continue their education, to improve their techniques, and stay current on all of the leading research in their fields.

Now, step back from that description of a teacher... if you take a broader look at whatever you do currently, you'll see value that can be applied to a multitude of jobs or careers.

So often we limit ourselves by thinking, "this is all I can do."  We truly paint ourselves into a corner!  Or we think, "I've been promoted and am finally making good money.  If I leave this job, I'll never make what I'm making here someplace else ."  Again, we're in a corner.

Well, it's time to turn around.  The paint has dried!  There ARE other opportunities out there waiting for you!  You have skills, knowledge, and abilities that can be applied to all sorts of other careers!  You have talents that can be utilized in a variety of other jobs!

You can choose to paint yourself into a corner, or you can choose to see the potential you have.  Take a closer look at the knowledge you have gained over the years.  Make a list of what you know, know how to do, and can do well.  Make another list of what you truly enjoy doing.  Then step back from those lists and look at them with new eyes, a broader perspective.  Today it's a new world.  Many businesses have dies over the past year because they had painted themselves into a corner.  But even more businesses have survived because they saw ways to apply their tools and talents in new and innovative ways.

You can do the same thing.  See your value!  Choose to step out of the corner and into a new career!