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Lessons from Nature

Sandpipers on the beach. What does that have to do with Career Communications? Recently, I made my yearly spring trip to Long Beach, Washington. I packed up the car and told my colleagues that I was going to the beach to write. The reply was “Yah, right,” as they gave me a big grin. Hey, writing is a significant part of my career.

The second morning I was there, I put on my walking clothes, grabbed my water bottle and headed to the beach that I had been observing out my window. Went over the grassy knoll, followed the tracks of a truck through the softer sand, then walked to the ocean’s edge. Once again, the feeling of being awfully small overwhelmed me as I watched the ocean waves with their power crash over each other.

I came upon sandpipers scurrying out on the sand as the wave pulled back even farther. I kept on walking and then all of sudden it made me think about people looking for positions. There are so many people sitting on the sidelines waiting for the position to come to them.

Experience has shown me that people do not get jobs by sitting home behind their computers. In fact, some of the job boards are posting recycled positions just to make it look like they have jobs available. They want you to keep coming back to them.

I watched some of the sandpipers stand on the edge waiting for the waves to bring their food to them. Then there were quite a few that actually chased after the waves looking for the morsel that would help them sustain their lives. My guess is that they will be the one that found the most food. They truly will be satisfied and nourished until the next morning. Just like the people who make looking for a position their career until they find a new position.

A few steps further, I blinked my eye and said –“No, that can’t be.” Yet, it was true, two of the most active sandpipers had only one leg. Yet, they hopped so rapidly they were keeping up with all the others following the waves.

The one-legged sandpipers didn’t let their handicap hold them back. I watched closely to see if they stayed together for support. Interestingly enough they blended in with the rest of the flock. From what I saw, they used their skills just as adeptly as the others did. They had a mission and they were fulfilling the goals.

So often I hear, I am too old, nobody is going to hire me, I have been out of the job market too long, I have been home being a homemaker-thus, I don’t have any skills, I don’t have a degree. I believe I have heard every excuse under the sun. Yet, people are getting jobs—many of them are not ever advertised.

Employers are hiring for enthusiasm. The issue is that if you are not excited about the industry you looking for position in, you will not stand out. You’ll be the sandpiper on the edge---You are “hoping” something will come along that will sustain your needs.

My sense is that the sandpipers that chased the waves this morning will go back for naps and wake up satisfied with what they accomplished today. They knew what they were looking for and they took a risk and went after it. Like the sandpipers, the true winners in this economy will be the ones who truly understand what their innate talents are and the industry that will bring them the greatest joy. They will share their enthusiasm for the industry and network their way into that industry. When you know what you are looking for, people will be delighted to help you.

You will be surprised how quickly it comes to you when you are focused. Use this time period to really “decide” what you would like to do the rest of your life. My wish for you is that your work feels like playing to you. When it does, you know you are using your innate skills.

The sandpipers taught me another lessons, get out in nature more often.

Kathy Condon is a Career Facilitator, International Speaker and Trainer. She works with individuals on all aspects of career transition, including the coaching of CEOs. Her newly released CDs/Tapes “Connect with People-It’s the Little Things” and her eBook, 55 Networking Tips, can be purchased here.