If you're familiar with Facebook, you've probably encountered those 25 Things About Me lists that people have on their profiles. You know, those posts where people share 25 random facts, goals, habits, embarrassing moments and other quasi-interesting tidbits about themselves.
For those of you who are rolling your eyes right now at the mere mention of these lists, I understand your pain. I too question the wisdom of such public sharing on the web, especially those who share waaaay more than they should. But in spite of that, the career counselor part of me really loves to analyze those lists.
It's not so much the specifics of what people list, it's what they choose to include that I find so revealing. Unlike other career assessment tools that revolve around a specific topic (e.g., a skills assessment or an exercise where you are asked to focus on accomplishments) this is an open-ended exercise. You can write about whatever you'd like; your dog, your love of chocolate or your disdain of the color green.
And, you know what? Every time I've read one of these lists, I've learned something new about my friends, even people I thought I knew pretty well. Not just silly trivia (although there is plenty of that) but meaningful insights into their personalities, interests and goals. Sometimes it's one or two items that surprise, but often it is the bigger picture that emerges from the list as a whole, that provides me with a greater appreciation for their personal strengths and abilities.
Why not give this a try? List 25 pieces of data you find most interesting about yourself. Hobbies, quirks, secret goals -- whatever you feel merits attention. Once you've got your list completed, take a look to see if you notice any clues that might be relevant to your career reinvention process.
It is perfectly fine if you choose to share this with others, but I'd recommend compiling it with the intent of keeping it private to keep things as "real" as possible. Of course, if you're into sharing, go right ahead and share with us here. Comment away!
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