Mastering the Art of Reinvention

I love the movie "Julie and Julia." Not only for all of the wonderful French food or because Meryl Streep is absolutely brilliant as Julia Child, but because the heart of the story is about reinventing yourself. Both Julie Powell and Julia Child are at a crossroads. Julie needs something to take her mind off her miserable government job and Julia needs something to occupy her time in Paris while her husband, Paul, is at work. After a little soul searching, and trial and error, they both figure it out and it changes their lives forever.

I, too, am feeling at a crossroads in my professional life. Well, as much as you can be at a crossroads when you don't actually have a job. Anyway, several times throughout this period of unemployment, I've thought about switching careers and doing something that I really love. Or at least something that I really think I'd like. I'm once again at that point. After several interviews for basically the same job I've had my entire working life (none of which have panned out), I feel it's time to go in another direction. But I'm a bit stuck as to how to do that.

They say "do what you love and the money will follow." Personally, I think whoever said this probably had a trust fund or a wealthy spouse to support them while they figured out exactly what it was they loved doing. Unfortunately, I have neither so I need to be a little more creative, or at least realistic. You would think being unemployed is the perfect time to plot out your next move. While the time is definitely there to research careers and try to find your passion, if you need a job, your focus needs to be on getting a job. And that usually means finding a job like the one you just had because it's what you know how to do right now. You see - rock/hard place.

Since I don't have the luxury of trying things on the way Julia did when she was in Paris, I think my only option is to follow Julie Powell's example and pursue my passion while I already have a job.

Now, about that job...