Innovative Career Options

I recently participated in a 2 day training on Synetics. The idea is to give a quick introduction to creative and innovative thinking, new ways of brainstorming and coming up with actual alternatives for current problems. A big assumption is that rational thinking can only get you rational, analytical answers, and that often, we get stuck when those answers aren't sufficient or effective answers. 

All of the participants were asked to bring in a question that we feel stuck about. My question was "Given the changes in technology and disruption in my current industry, how do I strategize differently about my career?"

I was asked to talk through the problem briefly, and then given the following suggestion by the facilitator: "I think you should be a sex worker."

I was surprised and delighted. I immediately started arguing about why that couldn't work, but the facilitator stopped me and said, "I want you to tell me what you like about this idea." 

So I began to list: 

 

Human connection is central

It is likely a lot of fun.

It is a lateral idea.

Botique Aspects to the job, lots of niches.

Good Money if you do it right.

It's physical.

Scheduling is entirely up to me.

I could get sponsorship for my work.

Do over Lifespan, since it's not age restricted

Is in the Mind, since it's not just the act, but ideas that make things sexy

It's immensely playful

Lots to Learn

Room for Growth

It's Exciting

Breaking social norms

Know who true friends are once I share what I do. 

Weirdly political

No computer screen

Communication is a key part of the job

I'd meet a lot of people

Potential for a personal brand

Creating relationships with Clients, repeat customers

Possibility of helping other people

              Couples

              Otherwise unable

Great Outfits

Financial incentive to workout and look good

Being wanted is built in to the job

I am the product

And finally, I 'd have a lot of sex


So I get to the end of talking about this ridiculous idea and I realize that I have listed off the things that are valuable to me about work. Almost all of the things above can be applied to any job I'd be interested in, and massively constrains the type of work that I should pay attention to. I'm lucky that right now, much of my day job consists of these values, though the latter half of the list is not quite being met. 

This list, despite its strange source, is a beautiful representation of my goals. It's a framework for determining what my next job should be, and a wildly effective method for driving out unusual responses. I'm looking forward to using it again soon.