Teach a Man to Fish...

There's an old proverb: If you want to feed a man for a day, give him a fish.  If you want to feed him for a lifetime, TEACH him to fish.

So it is with jobs.

Do you have a friend or relative who is unemployed, or underemployed?  Unhappy at work? Most of us do.  For me, it was my daughter, who was recently out of school and working at a dead-end, interim job.  Of course, I was the supportive Dad, trying to help her make the best of a situation.  But the best way to make her happy was to get her into a decent job.

Problem is, she didn't know how to find one.  (It's not an inborn trait, you know!) (smile)

So I bought her some books.  I wrote her a couple kindly "From your Father" letters.  And I encouraged her, and cajoled her, and even whined a bit.  I encouraged her, and helped her, and she applied to better firms for better jobs.  And when they didn't respond and she grew depressed, I cheered her up, and cheered her on.

And, eventually, it worked!  She got the job she wanted.  The job she deserved.  She's happier now-- making more money, having more fun.  Now, she knows how to fish.

Try it with that family member or friend of yours.  It works!