Super-interesting ... as I was wriggling around in the sand, post-30 year military career, wondering how to shake of three decades of 'defined by', I decided to do a lot more 'aligned with' (values). In the end, I stuck all mine on a list, called it a Manifesto and started calling myself an Encourager. Is it a thing? It probably doesn't matter ... it's my angle, a smidge of purpose and a direction of travel. Looking forward to taking it to hang out with Carlo Novato in the Lakes in May. Barrie
I'm not a big fan of labels. As Kierkegaard is reputed to have said, 'once you label me, you negate me.' I'm a generalist in a specialist world and it drives me nuts some times. Heinlein was onto something when he said: "A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyse a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialisation is for insects." The challenge you and I both have as freelancers is that without a label, people don't know how to buy from us. I don't often quote the bible, but one of my favorite verses is from Book of Exodus, Chapter 3, Verse 14. In this verse, God is speaking to Moses from the burning bush and Moses asks God what name he should use to refer to Him when speaking to the Israelites. God responds, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'" I'm often chuckle to myself when people ask me what do i do, instead of say I am trainer and a coach, i just want to say to them I Am. Thanks again for another great edition. See you out there! - Clay
I quite like 'Professional Amateur' at the moment. Although that may only last a day. ;-) In regards to I AM. My dad had a shop in Coventry called 'I AM' He had a cool logo, a rip off of the Vitruvian man but with a five pointed star instead of a square. When asked what it meant he said 'International Advancement of Mankind'. :-)
I think that going with just 'ex-shepherd' is more than enough.
More importanly, please tell me that the Timmy Mallet piece was written by GenAI, or even better, that he really did...?
Further research has the Timmy Mallett ‘My Sunday’ as a spoof by documentary maker MarkBowsherFilm.
Super-interesting ... as I was wriggling around in the sand, post-30 year military career, wondering how to shake of three decades of 'defined by', I decided to do a lot more 'aligned with' (values). In the end, I stuck all mine on a list, called it a Manifesto and started calling myself an Encourager. Is it a thing? It probably doesn't matter ... it's my angle, a smidge of purpose and a direction of travel. Looking forward to taking it to hang out with Carlo Novato in the Lakes in May. Barrie
'a smidge of purpose and a direction of travel' great title for a post ;-)
[makes note to rustle something up for Encourage Meant']
I'm not a big fan of labels. As Kierkegaard is reputed to have said, 'once you label me, you negate me.' I'm a generalist in a specialist world and it drives me nuts some times. Heinlein was onto something when he said: "A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyse a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialisation is for insects." The challenge you and I both have as freelancers is that without a label, people don't know how to buy from us. I don't often quote the bible, but one of my favorite verses is from Book of Exodus, Chapter 3, Verse 14. In this verse, God is speaking to Moses from the burning bush and Moses asks God what name he should use to refer to Him when speaking to the Israelites. God responds, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'" I'm often chuckle to myself when people ask me what do i do, instead of say I am trainer and a coach, i just want to say to them I Am. Thanks again for another great edition. See you out there! - Clay
I quite like 'Professional Amateur' at the moment. Although that may only last a day. ;-) In regards to I AM. My dad had a shop in Coventry called 'I AM' He had a cool logo, a rip off of the Vitruvian man but with a five pointed star instead of a square. When asked what it meant he said 'International Advancement of Mankind'. :-)
The thing is Tim, I’m technically an ex pastore (Italian) which translates to shepherd but also means cow-herder. Which was my actual job ;-)
And I really hope Timmy Mallet did write that. A quick google has brought up nothing though.