Tag Archives: work

By George, I think she’s got it!

Posted in About Me, HSP, Introversion by

3 years ago, I sat down in the middle of my life and refused to budge until I figured out why it wasn’t working.

I have learned a lot about myself since then.

I have learned that I am an introvert
(“No way!”
“Way!”)

I have learned that I’m an HSP, and what that is. These days, I think of myself as a “deep engager.” I’m not sure how much of that is introvert, how much is HSPS, and how much is my unique personality, but wherever it comes from, it’s a good description.

These days, I think of myself as a “deep engager.”

This improved self-understanding has allowed me to acknowledge without shame or apology that the following characteristics in a job make me miserable:

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In which, I am inspired at last

Posted in About Me by

closeup of a lit lightbulbGood news! I finally hit on something I already have skill in, that I can set up a consulting shingle for immediately. I had my first client yesterday. I was able to solve all of her problems. She was thrilled, and already wants to schedule another appointment for additional consulting.

I never considered consulting on this topic as a profession before because it’s a deep, deep topic, and my knowledge level is intermediate at best. However, as many, many of the create-your-own-worklife blogs I’ve been reading point out, you don’t need to know everything, you only need to know more than your client. I had forgotten how I struggled with the same knowledge when it was all new to me, how arcane and incomprehensible it all seemed. And being both a midwesterner by birth, and a woman, I am the last to see my own expertise in anything.

I am pretty excited, as money is coming in immediately (and not a moment too soon).
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Strengths Finder 2.0 – Still Looking

Posted in Resources by

Woman with rolled up sleeve showing bicep from famous Rosie the Riveter WWII posterAs I discussed in a previous post, identifying my strengths has been a huge challenge for me. A couple of weeks ago, I discovered the Strengths Finder test, first released by the Gallup Poll people in 2001, and updated to Strengths Finder 2.0 in 2007. The philosophy of the assessment is that there’s too much focus on overcoming one’s deficiencies, which may not even be doable, instead of on recognizing and developing one’s natural talents. There’s a book that accompanies the test to explain the 34 different strengths.

While I was waiting for the library copy of the Strengths Finder 2.0 book to become available, I took a free Strengths Finder test offered by a virtual coaching website, workuno. Continue reading →

Who answers ads for “rock star” positions?

Posted in About Me by

Seriously – I want to know. People with exceptional (or excessive) self-esteem? Narcissists? People who like a challenge? Only children of doting parents? People with no qualms about lying? Would you answer an ad like that?

When employers advertise for a “rock star [fill in the blank],” what is it exactly that they think they are screening for? And do they realize they are discouraging anyone with the least bit of modesty, or who might tend to undervalue their own skills (which includes most women, and could add up to a lot of perfectly well-qualified people)? Not to mention anyone who has learned to avoid employers that exhibit unrealistic expectations from the get-go. Do they really need their admin or cashier to also be a “rock star”?

Maybe it’s because I live in an area that is Start-up (read: inexperienced management) Central, but I see this in job ads a LOT, and it’s bizarre, right?

Test of Strengths: What Am I Good At?

Posted in Resources by

Readers who follow SensitiveType will have read my description of trying to work some advice I read on the Free Range Humans blog (advice which you can hear many other places as well): Find your strength.

I was baffled about what my strength might be for the longest time.
Two southeast Asian women sit in a hut constructing lanterns
Now that I have finally figured out what I want to do, if not quite how to do it, guess what I came across today? StrengthsFinder 2.0. That’s right, there is a test for that. What’s more, it’s been around for several years. Why didn’t anybody tell me?!
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Checking In

Posted in About Me, Depression, HSP by

Close up of the face of a large turtle looking inquisitively into the cameraHas it really been a month since I posted? Sorry about that. On something of a whim, I started a daily post series on one of my other blogs. I had been neglecting it ever since I started Sensitive Type. The flurry of posts were an act of defiance against the obstacle that kept me from doing what I loved, even though I knew that obstacle was probably me.

I kept it up for three weeks.
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24 Hours Later – Decisions, Decisions

Posted in About Me, HSP by

I didn’t sign up for the freelance blogging course I mentioned in my previous post after all. I really meant to. My checkbook is still sitting on my desk. I started the purchase process several times, but soot kept happening. Cats to feed. Emails to answer. Internet burps.

The sun, with hot spots and solar flares bubling up from the surfaceAfter two days of this, I checked my ephemeris to make sure it wasn’t all down to the mercury retrograde (nope – it’s direct again). Could it be the solar flares? Probably not. If I was finding this many reasons not to do something that would take 5 minutes, I obviously had doubts about my plan. But were they valid doubts, or the undermining kind?
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How to Live on 24 Hours a Day

Posted in About Me, HSP, Introversion by

I took a hike to the top of a 6,000-foot ridge one summer. It had a great view of the 14,000-foot extinct volcano 20 miles away. Hailing from a state where the elevation tops off at 1,000 feet, experience had to teach me the counter-intuitive fact that a mountain looks bigger the higher you get.
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This ‘n That

Posted in About Me, Introversion by

LIGHT READING

In this commentary (The solitary bliss of life as an introvert) from the early days right after Quiet was published, Michael Deacon ponders whether the supreme being is an introvert or an extrovert, and adds his 2¢ on aging into introversion. Don’t miss the comments.

JOB HUNTING

As for me, I’ve been performing job searches on the keyword “alone.” When I find it, it’s usually preceded by “looking for someone who works well…” and I get all excited. That’s me! But no. In every single post, it’s also followed by “or in a group.” Sheesh. Flip-floppers.

FILM MAKING

In case you haven’t heard, Elaine Aron has revamped her website, and is fundraising for a film on HSPs. She has already exceeded her goal, but has promised to apply any additional funds to making a better documentary. Only 3 days to go, so visit soon.

WANTED: PATRON (or matron, I’m not picky)

Would anyone like to pay me to spend my time researching whatever I feel curious about today, and then writing about it in multiple blogs? That’s what I really want to do with my life, but all this annoying need-to-pay-rent crap keeps getting in the way :(

Valueless Lesson

Posted in About Me, HSP, Introversion by

A blank mask without a face behind itIt’s so annoying to have to leave a job just when you’re getting good at it. I’d like to at least know what happened with my boss. I have the distinct impression our conflict was about something other than it appeared to be. Unfortunately, Mr. Not So Nice After All Guy isn’t owning up. Is that fair? Yeah, yeah, life ain’t. That doesn’t mean I have to like it.

Supposedly, HSPs have superior intuitive and empathetic perception. I’m not entirely convinced on that point. I have been told more than once that I discerned things a person didn’t even recognize about him/herself, usually long after the fact (and mostly by water signs, but that’s another post). On the other hand, I seem to be singularly blind to red flags in an employment context. Continue reading →