digital musing

Sometimes I really feel like I need to join the digital revolution.

There are Apps now that are not available on the web.
Apparently Spotify is going to stop working on my laptop in four months
When I'm in a different city, rest assured I will get lost because I don't have a smart phone.
I can only get to level 14 on Angry Birds and my Tiny Tower really isn't where it should be

When did having a laptop, cell phone and wireless access NOT qualify you for Digital World Domination?

Oof. Kindle Fire, I'm looking at you.

A scanner darkly...

Sometimes the hardest thing anyone can ask you to do is to create something out of nothing.

Giving someone carte blanche with no boundaries and asking them to put a description down on paper can create nothing but havoc, confusion and migraines.

So can asking someone: "What do you want to do?"

Most of the time my answer is, what needs to be done? I'm not great at setting the grand oeuvre of a project, but rather good at execution once I see the path.

It is hard to make one's life the project. Especially when everyone around you is encouraging you to be a diver, and you're really a scanner. What's a scanner? According to life coach/self-help guru sites, it's a dilettante, a jack of all trades, a modern Renaissance Man. They are people who are adept at learning new skills, intelligent and efficient learners. But they rarely delve too deeply into one area of expertise. Doctors, consultants and experts are rarely Scanners. Scanners often take the time to become mostly proficient in an area then move on.

video via Pauly Math.

It's why I have a degree in architecture.
Worked two years as a law office manager
Six years as a draftsperson
3 years as a bookkeeper, junior finance admin
2 years in my free time as a theater producer
have 10+ years writing a blog
2 years writing a play
8 years building a lyrical mezzo soprano and alto belt voice for musicals and theater
and 3 months developing a web app.

There are downsides to being a Scanner too - even though we have unique skills and applications.

For example:
I have a 2 year College level proficiency in Italian. I only needed to complete one more year of language and another semester of Cultural Studies to earn a minor.
I played viola for 7 years in middle school and high school, and was section leader for all of middle school, but never took a private lesson
I worked in an architecture firm for 6 years and studied for the LEED exam but never took any tests.
I am a proficient bookkeeper and can analyze finances fairly easily, but I have no desire to take an accounting course.
I am a very good theater producer, but have no desire to run a theater or theater company as my primary source of income
I am a great singer, but have no desire to be on tour or a professional actor.
I'm a great cook, but have no desire to go to culinary school or open a restaurant.

Barbara Sher writes on how a lot of Scanners need a Good-Enough Job. One that pays the bills and leaves enough time to work on hobbies and other interests. It's not a career, it's the thing that you do well that gives you money. While you work at things that don't affect your livelihood but rather your happiness. It's about being a moving target, being awfully good at being balanced and a multi-tasker extraordinaire. Being skilled, efficient and smart - but never dedicating all of your time, resources or emotions to one particular field.

I am scared to tell my friend and HR Manager, that what I'm really looking for is a Good Enough job that pays more. I am too smart and too able for what I'm currently doing. But I don't want to try to make an income with my current passions. And because, honestly, at my company the Good Enough Job would actually be the Totally Awesome Job; great co-workers, good and healthy work environment, benefits, natural light the whole bit - just not my obsession. And I think that's ok.

So the question becomes, not, what do you WANT to do? But more of a situation of what DON'T I want to do?