Options Make Life More Comfortable

It is a reality that most people need to work to earn money. Without employment most people do not have sufficient means to survive. There is nothing surprising about this. At the same time a lot of people back themselves into a position where they need the job they are in, or at least that's what they believe.

Needing a job and needing this job is not the same thing.

Life is much too stressful if you are stuck in a job, even if it is a job that you like. Your livelihood is controlled by whims of decision makers that may not even know you. If an organization decides to stop doing what you do, there is a very real chance that you may no longer have a place in that organization. 

It is important to be able to do something else. It may not pay as much, especially in the beginning but being able to move on your terms makes everything more tolerable.

Broad experience is very important. Taking two steps back and understanding the fundamentals of what needs to be done is very powerful. The industry specific knowledge is important but it can be learned quickly. Knowing how action A impacts outcome B is much more important. 

However, the most important thing to know about any job is the common denominator of all organizations. It doesn't matter if it is a government organization, a charity, an educational facility, or a business. It does not matter if it is big or small. It doesn't matter what it is trying to do. All organizations are made up of people trying to accomplish goals. That's it.

Knowing this means that you can take what you know at one place, add in a bit of industry specific knowledge and be successful elsewhere. You can make the change. You can lead the way.

All of this to say if you want to be more comfortable, make sure you have a variety of experience. Make sure you can apply your skills to a multitude of situations. It may mean you need to take some courses to round out your knowledge. So do it. 

I saw Lou Holtz speak. If you don't know who he is, he was the Head Football Coach at Notre Dame University and at the University of South Carolina. One of things he said is don't let others get in the way of your success. Just because someone else doesn't think you can be successful, don't let them win. It might be hard, do it anyway. You might not be ready, do it anyway. It might not be perfect, do it anyway. If they can't let you be successful, walk away and be successful elsewhere. Do it anyway. Have the options to walk away to and the courage to do it if the time comes.

Most pursuits you will either be successful or you will quit. Don't let the organization quit on you. If they can't handle it, move on and do it anyway. Set yourself up for success. You may not move on tomorrow but if you feel they are holding you back, you will move on someday.

Air Conditioning

It was not a wonderful spring in the Montreal-Ottawa corridor. There were several cool days with a lot of rain. As the school age children wrapped up their studies we have fallen into a hot summer. This is the typical weather for the area including it not cooling down at night.


I am lucky, my apartment is air conditioned and it is hooked into the thermostat. My home stays comfortable all summer long. It's great to get home and the place is cool. I can even cook with very little impact on my comfort.


There is a bit of a problem.


I have been in St Jean sur Richileau since the last day of June. The dorm room I have been assigned is not air conditioned. It is hot at night. It has re-energized my respect for a well climate controlled living space.


I'll admit I don't love scorching heat and high humidity but it isn't all that bad if you return to a cool dry space at the end of your day. It gives you a chance to unwind and relax. the heat won't be the reason you don't sleep so well at night.

Sense of Adventure

If you want to live a great life you need to have a few adventures. It's easy to slip into routine and stick to what you know. There are times you need that as a bit of a break but it can't be ongoing in perpetuity. 

I'm amazed at how many people never look for adventure. I'm even more surprised at how many people decline opportunities for something new when it is presented. I understand if there is a scheduling conflict or something out of your control preventing you from trying something new. I don't understand when people don't have a reason not to try it and still don't take advantage of the opportunity.

I was thinking a bit today how my life would be if I didn't try some things that were presented to me. They lead into each other. and have created a life I think is worth living. Some of the key opportunities were:

I joined Air Cadets as a 12 year old;

I learned to fly gliders at 16 and aeroplanes at 17;

I went to university; and

I took a job in and moved to Ottawa.

There were a lot of other great moments and adventures but those were key and a bit out of my comfort zone. I think learning to fly is a bit out of most people's comfort zone but it's really out there for a teenager. I learned a lot about myself on those courses. Since I still fly today, it's easy to say it was a pivotal in my life but I think it would have been true if I still wasn't flying.

If I didn't learn to fly gliders I wouldn't have gone to university. Now you need to realize that I truly believe a degree doesn't guarantee a job but it does open the door to employers to show off who you are.

Moving to Ottawa has been a big and positive change.  I love living in Sandy Hill and walking to work. I have met many interesting, fun, and talented people. It jsut feels like a great place to live.

All of these and many other adventures were outside my comfort zone. It wasn't that hard to jump in but I never really knew what to expect and not knowing is part of the adventure. It's the part I like because that's where the amazing things happen.

If This Is The Worst of It

So, I don't seem to have too much to complain about today. My list is:

a. - my apartment is too warm;
b. - the Bombers are out of the playoffs;
c. - I had to get up Saturday morning and go to Smiths Falls with no chance of flying;
d. - it's going to rain a lot this week;
e. - there is no NHL hockey;
f. - we have a small snag with the truck for tailgating next week-end;

These are all first world problems. They don't really matter. They are minor inconveniences. In the big scheme, they don't matter. If you have a list like this to complain about, your life is going well.

Every day as I walk home from work I see a lot of people that have real problems. There are a lot of homeless people who panhandle on my walk home from work. Whether it's a result of their decisions or actions or the decisions and actions of others, the result is the same. They have real problems. It is compounded with the fact that winter is coming. Even though it's not a Winnipeg winter, I don't think anyone would choose to sleep outside in Ottawa in the winter.

There are unstable governments that are leading to atrocious treatment in many parts of the world. Hard working people can't make enough to feed their family properly. Those people have real problems. I don't have real problems.

It's not to say I don't want my problems to go away. We always want a comfortable life. I just can't see anything that is a threat to my lifestyle, safety, or existence so life in my world is good.

Not everyone is in that position so if you can make someone's day better, do it. It will make you feel better.