What Should I be When I Grow Up?

I keep starting projects and having ideas and then getting stuck or distracted and switching gears.

What I really want, and am trying to figure out how to get, is a paycheck for stuff that I am already doing. Oh, and I don't want to have to work for anyone else. Mostly.

So how would you fill in this blank:

Shannon, you are a natural-born______________!

or:

You should really start a _______________ business!

Thanks for helping.

Comments

[Lori]

You really should start your own adoption agency.

(serious, I have thought this for a long time. I have often wondered if I should post or email the thought. )

[Beth]

Someone should give us money to write children's Sunday School curriculum together!

If they don't, then I think you should be an adoption consultant of some kind, perhaps flying around the country to do anti-racism trainings.

[donita]

Ummm, hello, your jewelry business! I love your stuff, it's one of a kind in this town!

[mijk]

Be a consultant for curches and congregations who want to be more open and diverse....

[mijk]

Be a consultant for curches and congregations who want to be more open and diverse....

[Kate]

How about "Shannon, you really should...remember that you are raising two very small fry and that you will have many many years in the future when you will have more time, energy, and resources to think about and carry out these kinds of plans." Not to say you shouldn't plan away in the present, but I hate to think you are upset with yourself about the stuck, distracted, and switching parts! I hear your brain clears out a bit once you're no longer continuously helping them eat, sleep, and potty (not that I have any experience with that--21 month old at home).

[Emma]

My newish philosophy on picking projects, careers, etc, is to focus on a positive experience you had/are having and think about ways you can help others to have it.

Therefore, the idea of being an adoption consultant or running an adoption agency is a pretty good one. What other experiences have you had that you feel passionate about in a good way?

[Rosemary]

I second the idea about working with religious organizations to incorporate diversity. What about a certificate on mediation so you can work with various groups within the same religious organization to help them realize compromises on religious issues without splitting completely apart? (The Pittsburgh Episcopal diocese just voted to leave the national church, so maybe you could come here as your first stop?)

[danni]

Hmmm, I thought this one would be obvious but what about writing? Oh, and have you ever thought about using seaglass in your jewlery? It's a really cool material to work with and you can find it for free on any of the great lakes or beaches.

[Lisa]

I second what Kate said about giving yourself a break while you are raising the lil critters. But I feel the restlessness career-wise, too. So I understand.

I think you should be a college professor. How obvious, right? But I mean not so much online but in a real classroom with real students. Women's studies, diversity race issues, etc. I think you could open a lot of hearts and minds like that. Perhaps adjunct or visiting prof where you could just teach one or two IRL classes and still have time to mom the kids? (Or are you doing that already next semester with the media class? If so, You will be great.)

I also think your views regarding Christianity are outstanding and are much needed but I am not familiar enough with religious careers to say you should be a _____. But something where you can help open people's eyes to the good and loving and accepting in religion.

Adoption consultant would be great, too. But man, for me personally, it sounds like a lot of emotional stress where the potential for burnout is great. But that's just me, you'd probably be great at it.

[k.]

You are a natural born Sunday School Teacher. How that translates to money, I do not know.

[k.]

Another option would be start something like Adoptionlearningpartners.org, where you educate pre-adoptive and post-adoptive parents about transracial and child development issues and birthparent relations. You could probably make the most money on real life seminar-type deals, but people like the convenience of online or a workbook they can order.

[Margie]

Well, I don't think I can offer any concrete suggestions - but I would say this. As someone who is kind of trapped in her job because circumstances just don't allow a change, I'd encourage you to go with your heart if you possible can.

Doing something you love is so much better than just doing something because you have to. Whatever you find, I hope it gives you a lot of satisfaction.

[Mayhem]

Sunday school teacher and mediator sound like good suggestions.

You know, I totally thought of baby food... If I had a baby I would absolutely buy organic frozen baby food. Though I don't know about any laws or regulations on food production and sale.

[regine]

I did not read any comments before posting mine, so I'm not sure how many have said the same thing. You are a natural born writer; you probably could write on a variety of books/topics, including children's.
I am now going to post and see what some of your other readers have said.
Bonne chance. ..

[sasha]

Shannon, you are a natural-born Mad-Libs writer, a totally underutilized genre i am realizing. I wonder if one could do a dissertaion like that ... I'm not so sure about the "business" term. i keep substituting busy-ness and it sounds tiring.