Jay, a 43 year old mid-career executive at a corporation in New London county, CT, told me that he had recently watched “The Art of the Steal.” Coincidentally, so did I. It is a highly forgettable movie but I like Kurt Russell and Matt Dillon and watching action movies while I work out. I’m not recommending the movie but regardless no spoiler alerts will follow.
Kurt Russell’s character is likely in his late 50s and laments that he always thought he would do something great. Jay said that he always thought so as well – not in any grandiose fashion:
“I never was interested in becoming Bill Gates or Steve Jobs but I always thought I would do something cool with my career. I used to be interesting. Now I can’t stand being asked about the daily activities of my job because I bore myself. I’ve thought about moving to New York or Boston to latch on some company but my wife is from Connecticut and our kids love their school. Indeed, I agreed to settle here because Connecticut has such great schools.” (Jay is from Rhode Island).
Jay continued:
”I’ve felt like giving up. But I think I have 20 years or so to do something so why I should I?”
Agreed – and I added the alternatively wonderful or depressing thought that he likely has 30 or so years because most all of us will work until 70 or more, given the reality of both good (our longer lives, the evidence that good work is healthy) and the bad (lack of pensions, market fluctuations, eroding social security etc.).
Jay and I spent the rest of the hour crafting “greatness plan 1”.
Kurt Russell’s character is likely in his late 50s and laments that he always thought he would do something great. Jay said that he always thought so as well – not in any grandiose fashion:
“I never was interested in becoming Bill Gates or Steve Jobs but I always thought I would do something cool with my career. I used to be interesting. Now I can’t stand being asked about the daily activities of my job because I bore myself. I’ve thought about moving to New York or Boston to latch on some company but my wife is from Connecticut and our kids love their school. Indeed, I agreed to settle here because Connecticut has such great schools.” (Jay is from Rhode Island).
Jay continued:
”I’ve felt like giving up. But I think I have 20 years or so to do something so why I should I?”
Agreed – and I added the alternatively wonderful or depressing thought that he likely has 30 or so years because most all of us will work until 70 or more, given the reality of both good (our longer lives, the evidence that good work is healthy) and the bad (lack of pensions, market fluctuations, eroding social security etc.).
Jay and I spent the rest of the hour crafting “greatness plan 1”.