I was asked to create a Curriculum Vitae recently for an opportunity that I’ve been considering and the last time I updated anything like that was back in 2008.
I know this because I looked at timestamps for them in a legacy folder that I keep in Dropbox.
Although I’m no longer a fan of resumes nor do I have any explicit use for them I understand why this group was looking for one and I didn’t mind putting something together for them. In fact, as I’ll explain, it was a very revealing and introspective activity.
And no, I’m not leaving my current role(s) for a full time salaried job anywhere either for this opportunity. No way.
Moving on… 2008 was really the last time I held a full time job anywhere that wasn’t my own. I started really working for myself that year and venturing into entrepreneurship instead.
It’s been a wild ride, that’s for sure.
I spent most of the night on updating this new version – adding a lot that has happened over the last 5 or so years as well as stripping out most of the verbiage.
The last iteration was something of a gigantic vomit session on everything that I had every done to the level of detail that would put people to sleep.
I knew why I did this – because the automated machines internal to the organization at the time was looking for keywords for internal placements and I was stacking the chips, sotospeak.
Gross.
How ridiculous, yet it was what everyone was doing at the time so I played along. I stripped away nearly 2,000 words, going from 2,567 words to 788. Long paragraphs of achievement became single sentences. I do not need them anymore.
And instead of a boring Word document I created a small one-page responsive website. I know, go figure.
What I’ve learned is that my life, although much more interesting and full today is at the same time more simple and less complex than it was. And it seems that I’m on a never-ending quest for simplification.
Every year I attempt to strip away the things that aren’t necessary or needed and introduce fewer and fewer needless endeavors.
I’ve “settled” in a number of ways, not in the pejorative sense where I’ve resigned myself to a particular state or existence but rather found my “niche,” “locked” in my circle of relationships, and am more clear on why I am here.
I heard recently this quote that I love:
There are two great days in our lives – the day we were born and the day we realize why.
Isn’t that plainly spoken? Beautiful even. Every day I feel like I’m getting closer to the second one.
Are you?
Congratulations John, After reading this quote, “There are two great days in our lives – the day we were born and the day we realize why” I hope many will start thinking about how far is their second great day of life, as I’m now…!!!
You are just awesome…!!!
Thanks John for your authenticity. It all makes sense doesn’t it? That second great day of discovery leads us to a simpler life because that is the day we discover who we are and why we are here. Before that day, our stuff or achievements were our identifiers. When we know who we are, our heart becomes our identity. We can live in confidence and simplicity because we are living a life of purpose. A life more full & less complex. I’ve had that 2nd Day experience and I live it every day. Very liberating.
thanks for the reminder that we don’t have to sell out to who we are. Nothing like clarity. all the best with your second greatest day and pursuits
I remember those long resumes. Do you know that they still teach that in schools? Ouch, well I like the bio & personal resume website, it absolutely best displays your skills.
Fuller life, but at the same time much simpler. Completely agree. That calls for a brand new post. Thanks for the thoughts.
sure thing john!
Wow I like that quote a lot! Who is that quote by?
I link the video – Chuck Swindoll quoted it from a friend of his.
From a design perspective, that CV says something. It’s clean & effective! Nice job and I love the fact that you are “stripping” away things. Corporate still likes to see everything & I think less is more in today’s marketplace.
thanks man!
Hey John,
I’ll echo Dave above in that your CV makes you want to actually read it! Love the look of it… Are we allowed to know where its hosted? I’d love to see it in full… Thanks for sharing!