There is this blog I enjoy reading every now and then that encourages me in my career. It’s called the Brazen Careerist by Penelope Trunk. One blog in particular has opened my eyes to a question I’ve been dying to ask myself: “What am I uniquely suited to do?”

In her blog, “Choose a career path that makes you scared of failure ” I read this one paragraph over and over again trying to grasp it’s meaning within me.

It says: “So one of the most important things you can do is come to terms with what you’re uniquely suited to do and what you’re not–and to understand which is which. ” She goes on to advise: “Once you admit that some things will suit you better than others, you have to start trying things.” Things that excite you, grab your attention and make you want to throw everything you have into it. It’s not in raw talent, but hard work that you’ll find your gift.

Here’s the BEST part of this whole blog: “Even when you find that thing, though, at some point you will get stuck. You will see that you are probably great at something, but still not be sure of it. Maybe it’s a start up that you think you can make a go of; maybe it’s a freelance career that is almost sustainable; maybe it’s a big project that could change your career but is very scary. The things that are really worth doing in life - the things that will get you the passion and competence necessary for flow - require getting through a dip. And it’s at the dip where you decide if you can actually get to greatness. “

“The Dip.” Yeah, that’s exactly where I am. I realize, in my current position, I’ve have certain gifts/skills that make me good at what I do. I’ve come to love organizing and managing a creative group/projects even against the odds. I’ve hit road blocks (will continue to hit them) with my manager and the way our “creative group” works. This isn’t like most In-House Ad companies, but it’s a safe ground for me to learn on. I’m not afraid to ask questions here or be myself verses trying to look strong in front of large agency. Perhaps, in the next year, I’ll move on to a more real-world view of an Account Executive position. I don’t know, but I do know that I have to go through this “DIP”. I’ve got to decide to move forward, take the bull by the horns and ride this train until I’ve sucked everything I could possibly get from it.

The dip can be such a curiously painful place to be, though. I love how she puts it: “It’s hard in the dip. It’s the time when you doubt yourself, or your ideas, or both. Or you fear failure or you fear success, or both, because both will change you. These are times when you really find out what you can do. “

I’m ready to find out what I can do. I’m often not energized by my work only because I haven’t been able to sink my teeth deep into it. I know when I do get those few moments of glory I thrive. The energy will come back to me and I will feel as though I have purpose. I’m not sure how much time I have left here until it will be time for me to leave, but I’m thinking at least six more months. Perhaps by January ‘08 I’ll know?

In the next two weeks, my manager will be out of the office leaving the whole campaign in my hands. Sure, he’ll control from a distance, but I’ll be the face. I’ll get to seriously meet with clients, organize the jobs and process the assignments as the designers complete them. I’m hoping that in these two weeks I learn my calling. It would be fantastic to awaken a drive I didn’t even know existed.

Currently, I’ve been placed in the “Copywriter” position as well as “Project Manager”. The goal was for me to do both, but I’m learning (rather quickly) I hate writing. I hate having to write for other people or having to formulate creative text for retail. I hate it. Do I need to be good at it? Yes. So, I’m going to take a course to help improve on my speed and accuracy in direction.

Right now, I’m in the dip. So, I leave you with this:

“If there’s no Dip ahead then you are not challenging yourself. You already have accomplished what you will accomplish on that path. And if you never experience the challenge of that Dip then you’ll miss out on the interesting, flexible work, yes, but most of all, you’ll miss out on the great feeling when work is at a high level of competence and engagement. With the goals of work changing - from power to personal growth - the process of work will change as well. Work used to be about safety and stability and the Dip was for the risk-loving mid-life-crisis-suffering entrepreneurs. Today a Dip is the necessary path to the dream career where you can control your time and you can be engaged in work at the same time.”