The Island of Misfit Toys

The Island of Misfit ToysThe Island of Misfit ToysThis classic Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer first aired in 1964 and introduced us to Hermey, the elf who wants to be a dentistBoss Elf gives Hermey grief over his desired career path. It seems Boss does leid understand the inner elf.Later on, Hermey lands on the Island of Misfit Toys. The islands misfits - a Charlie-in-the-Box, a bird that swims, a cowboy who rides an ostrich - also dont match up with the expectations we have for them.Of course, the show ends on a happy note, and I suppose the message of the Island of Misfit Toys and of Hermey the Elf / Dentist is that were all a fit someplace.And its the same for your career.I cant tell you how many times my best advice for someone seeking career guidance has been to ask what do you want to do? followed by well, why dont you go do that?More often than not, they know what they want to do just like Hermey the Elf, they already know what would make them happier.So youd think it would be easy.But when I ask why dont you do that, Ill hear a litany of reasons without rationale my family doesnt think its prestigious enough, well, I could never just get up and move like that, or I dont know what people would think of me if I did thatAnd this is the hard part, because the most difficult opponent youll face in your career is yourself.Your excuses.Your rationalizations.Your reasons why you shouldnt even try.And its conquering yourself, and overcoming your doubts, and beating your own fears and anxieties and limitations, that will lead you to having the career and life that you deserve.So in response to each reason why you cant do it, ask the person in the mirror and replyThat doesnt matter, go do what you want., orThats not really true, why dont you go do what you want?, orOk, but if youve only got a few decades left on this earth, why not go do what you want?Over and over and over.In most cases, youll eventually convince yourself.And you can finally become the dentist youve always wanted to be instead of staying an elf.Have a terrific Christmas week, ReadersIm rooting for you.p.s. Share your thoughts on this article on Rooting For You, my updated blog, here.