Thank you for sharing this Ines! As someone who started my 20's in a more conventional career but is now looking to explore more creative / unconventional roles, this really resonated with me.
Love the approach of being in the top 25% at multiple skills, rather than focusing on being the top 1% at one skill.
I also resonate with clarifying how you add value by focusing on skills / quantified impact, and I think it's much more meaningful than job titles. A lot of people don't understand my current job based on my job title (product manager in tech), so I've learned that it's an art and a skill to concisely describe what I do rather than what I am.
Thanks so much for reading, Tim! So agree that job titles are not always that meaningful. Best of luck for your venture into the more creative space :)
Practical, insightful, and written in a way that simplifies complexity while maintaining depth. Thanks for sharing your lessons. 🙏
It’s ironic how the freedom of unconventional careers actually demands the rigor to self-direct, but totally makes sense. It keeps me in a perpetual state of excitement and fear! 🍬Your point about writing your own job description really stood out to me too. I’m excited to try it!
Some great insights, Ines. Can relate to “not doing enough of it” when it comes to the networking of it all. Sometimes I find it difficult to shift gears out of “deep work mode” and juggle all the things!
Great article Ines! Thanks for sharing your experience.
Now I need a follow up piece from you. What are the first steps to transitioning to an unconventional career? What are the logistics of it? How do you know when you're ready to make the switch and move fully to the unconventional path. Ok, I don't need you to write me a follow up piece, I need you to write me a book. I promise I'll be the first to buy it if you promise to sign it for me.
I’m considering as a long term goal, but unclear as to what that career should be and how to start. But I also feel these things take time to mature a bit.
This piece is exactly what I needed to hear. My situation is more about how to balance work after being a father.
When a lot of competing priorities come back, I'm finding to work on my skills gives me the most joy. Often burnout occurs not by enough rest but by not doing enough of what I love. Which is what I'm also in the top 25% at. Im excited to come up with my own job description. Thanks for the insight!
That’s so great to hear, Simer. Thanks for reading. You make a great point - “often burnout occurs not by enough rest but by not doing enough of what I love”
This was so well written! The pivot to an unconventional career is something I resonate with deeply. Love the advice on the “what can I give mindset” and getting in the top 25% of two or more skills. I found my biggest challenge to be managing the uncertainty of it when first transitioning. I’ve grown up watching Ali so it’s so cool to see the perspective of you working on his team. Thanks for sharing!!
Thanks, this is a good read. I have spent 10 years in an unconventional career and I'm now trying to break into one of the more predictable pathways (for a bit, anyway!) I'm surprised at how constrained and narrow the pathway and some of the attitudes I come across are. I think there's value in it, but it's a shame how much they are missing out on.
Thanks for reading, Elli. Ooo best of luck!! I’m sure you’ll bring lots of insights from your ‘unconventional path’ days to this more ‘predictable’ path
> Even if you never show this job description to anyone else, it helps sharpen your thinking about what you're actually offering to the market. It's a way of making your skills more tangible and measurable.
Thank you for writing this. Applicable in my current situation where I have a good full-time gig yet with unique flexibility and agency/self-definition.
Thank you for sharing this Ines! As someone who started my 20's in a more conventional career but is now looking to explore more creative / unconventional roles, this really resonated with me.
Love the approach of being in the top 25% at multiple skills, rather than focusing on being the top 1% at one skill.
I also resonate with clarifying how you add value by focusing on skills / quantified impact, and I think it's much more meaningful than job titles. A lot of people don't understand my current job based on my job title (product manager in tech), so I've learned that it's an art and a skill to concisely describe what I do rather than what I am.
Thanks so much for reading, Tim! So agree that job titles are not always that meaningful. Best of luck for your venture into the more creative space :)
Really enjoyed reading this Ines! 🥰
Practical, insightful, and written in a way that simplifies complexity while maintaining depth. Thanks for sharing your lessons. 🙏
It’s ironic how the freedom of unconventional careers actually demands the rigor to self-direct, but totally makes sense. It keeps me in a perpetual state of excitement and fear! 🍬Your point about writing your own job description really stood out to me too. I’m excited to try it!
Thanks so much, José! Yes, it's a bit ironic isn't it. I know what you mean about excitement and fear... haha
On another channel, I wrote "Life is down in the dumps, what should I do?"
turns out, the answer was reading this article that had been an open tab for god knows how long.
Thanks especially for these two:
- The ability to solve problems without creating new ones
- The judgment to know when to take initiative and when to seek guidance
Thanks Prakruti! Best of luck with your journey.
Some great insights, Ines. Can relate to “not doing enough of it” when it comes to the networking of it all. Sometimes I find it difficult to shift gears out of “deep work mode” and juggle all the things!
There is so much recycled advice there based on zero experience and just repeating what ever AI generates. This is real, applicable, good advice.
Thanks so much for reading, Ramiro!
Great article Ines! Thanks for sharing your experience.
Now I need a follow up piece from you. What are the first steps to transitioning to an unconventional career? What are the logistics of it? How do you know when you're ready to make the switch and move fully to the unconventional path. Ok, I don't need you to write me a follow up piece, I need you to write me a book. I promise I'll be the first to buy it if you promise to sign it for me.
Hahah, these are great questions Ramiro! Thank you for your encouragement and support re: follow-up pieces & book. Perhaps something to think about...
What's your experience been? Are you considering transitioning to an 'unconventional' career?
I’m considering as a long term goal, but unclear as to what that career should be and how to start. But I also feel these things take time to mature a bit.
100%. Giving yourself time to experiment and try is key. Good luck!
This piece is exactly what I needed to hear. My situation is more about how to balance work after being a father.
When a lot of competing priorities come back, I'm finding to work on my skills gives me the most joy. Often burnout occurs not by enough rest but by not doing enough of what I love. Which is what I'm also in the top 25% at. Im excited to come up with my own job description. Thanks for the insight!
That’s so great to hear, Simer. Thanks for reading. You make a great point - “often burnout occurs not by enough rest but by not doing enough of what I love”
This was so well written! The pivot to an unconventional career is something I resonate with deeply. Love the advice on the “what can I give mindset” and getting in the top 25% of two or more skills. I found my biggest challenge to be managing the uncertainty of it when first transitioning. I’ve grown up watching Ali so it’s so cool to see the perspective of you working on his team. Thanks for sharing!!
Thanks for reading, Madhura!
Love how you reframe some of the conventional thinking re: networking. Sometimes its okay to explore and see where that takes you.
Thanks, this is a good read. I have spent 10 years in an unconventional career and I'm now trying to break into one of the more predictable pathways (for a bit, anyway!) I'm surprised at how constrained and narrow the pathway and some of the attitudes I come across are. I think there's value in it, but it's a shame how much they are missing out on.
Thanks for reading, Elli. Ooo best of luck!! I’m sure you’ll bring lots of insights from your ‘unconventional path’ days to this more ‘predictable’ path
> Even if you never show this job description to anyone else, it helps sharpen your thinking about what you're actually offering to the market. It's a way of making your skills more tangible and measurable.
Thank you for writing this. Applicable in my current situation where I have a good full-time gig yet with unique flexibility and agency/self-definition.
Totally agree, Justin. Thanks for reading! And glad it resonates with your current situation.
This is an extremely helpful guide. Love the bit about "write your own job description"!
Thank you, Becky!
Love it