Q: A lot of working people don’t give enough thought to what it is they’re doing and whether it’s what they’re meant to do. A journey like Joe’s is unrealistic, but do you think people can benefit from at least taking a mental journey, spending some time thinking about their place in the world and perhaps paying attention to “the man” in their heads?
A: I think everyone can use a “reset” every once in a while. In other countries, I believe this is called “a vacation.”
Q: Did you ever hit a point in your career where you questioned the path you were on? If so, how did you resolve those thoughts?
A: I have. You have to push through it. And talk about it with people. While sipping some fine bourbon. Seriously, we’re lucky to live in a time where you can choose your path. Hey, I believe happiness is more important than money. But I’m a dumb Canadian.
Q: Will you sponsor my cross-country journey of self discovery?
A: I will. But first let me round up some sponsors and get a TV deal. And a full media plan. And a content marketing team together. Hold on.
There’s much to be learned from books about the workplace (and columns!), but I think we forget how much can come from the simple act of looking inward. Does my job line up with the things in life that make me happy? Are there small ways I can modify my career that might put me on a better track? Or is there a leap I need to take — within practical boundaries — that will get me where I’m meant to be?
This gets rather philosophical, I know, but that’s what happens when you sit on a beach without any form of electronic distraction. You think about things. You relate a work of fiction to the reality around you and find there’s value in letting your brain go briefly unwired.
It’s an exercise we should all do more often, even if what we might learn scares us.
Joe said in the book: “Most people are happy being what we are and letting things happen … But they stop to study their lives and realize, suddenly, it’s not good enough. And then you need the courage to follow the path. And luck. We all need some luck.”
Here’s to courage, and luck, and to Basu for writing a book that should make any working American stop and think.
Rex Huppke writes for the Chicago Tribune. Send him questions by email at rhuppke@tribune.com or on Twitter @RexWorksHere.
©2014 Chicago Tribune
Distributed by MCT Information Services
