I’m also an archaeologist and the hardest part for me is not being able to package neatly. It drives me insane. Would someone want to read a piece about choice one week, marketing campaigns the next and why goth boots are now mainstream two weeks after that, by way of a story about vomit phobia? IDK, let’s find out.
wow, loved this! I too have been struggling to start my substack because I don’t have an exact plan, but have decided to go for it regardless and pivot when needed. this post resonated heavily!
Thank you so much for this!! It's so wonderful to have words for and a sense of these two approaches. I built the career I'm in as an architect (and I wanted to be a literal architect when I was a kid) but have lately been realizing that it has never actually FELT right. So I've been exploring instead, and while it's still early, it's way more interesting to me. I love having this archaeological framework to keep in mind!
I love how you broke this down! Wanting to be an architect puts a lot of pressure on simply discovering! I don’t have all the answers either but glad to be figuring it out.
This isn't quite the same, but it resonated with me. I'll explain ... When I left my job in healthcare to retire early I didn't realize I'd needed to keep working. And in some ways I'd missed my 'prof self.' So I set up an enterprise as an independent therapist. This is the learning nugget - the directions I thought I'd go in often didn't work out, but other things did. I could never predict the successful initiatives. I'm here 5 years later with my 'prof self' as a trainer, mentor and have a book about Clinical Supervision 'under my belt.' None particularly planned. A year ago I began writing (hoping tha despite AI I might forge a new career. Today alongside the speech/language work I ghostwrite historical, romantic fiction and love it (despite the huge weekly word count). Nothing was planned and I tried, reflected and found my way. I loved reading this as it gives a framework for thinking about developing in career (and life) . Now I'm trying again with substack ...positive therapy /mindfulness didn't get any views ...so trying a seasonal diary. We can't predict what will work sometimes. With Best Wishes, Ruth
I love this! I agree that it's sometimes impossible to predict what will work, but I find this motivating rather than daunting. It makes for an exciting life!
Love this concept! It reminds me of something I read in Stephen King’s book On Writing. He similarly speaks of excavating an idea like a fossil, uncovering as you go along. It’s freeing to realize i can get started without having it all figured out ahead of time. Thanks for sharing!
This couldn't have timed better! I feel like I'm at a big crossroad in my life & career, and all I keep hearing is, find your niche, be specific, don't go broad and have it all figured out. Read this & listened to the chat in one go, and I sooo needed this today. Thanks Anna.
Thank you for sharing this, Anna! I’ve never heard of the model but I inadvertently switched from an Architect to an Archeologist when I started my Substack. I was like - fuck it. I don’t know what I’m doing but I know I want to write for enjoyment and I’ll just see where that takes me. And guess what? It’s going great 😂 This was such a huge shift for me as I usually try to plan and control everything. This way is so much more liberating.
Love this piece Anna - it has definitely been my path. It’s similar advice I give to people on purpose - going for breadth first and it will lead you to depth.
Yes yes yessss.
I’m also an archaeologist and the hardest part for me is not being able to package neatly. It drives me insane. Would someone want to read a piece about choice one week, marketing campaigns the next and why goth boots are now mainstream two weeks after that, by way of a story about vomit phobia? IDK, let’s find out.
There’s only one way to know…😉
wow, loved this! I too have been struggling to start my substack because I don’t have an exact plan, but have decided to go for it regardless and pivot when needed. this post resonated heavily!
Just go for it!!! This is your sign!
Great framing. Agree with all of this.
🥰
Thank you so much for this!! It's so wonderful to have words for and a sense of these two approaches. I built the career I'm in as an architect (and I wanted to be a literal architect when I was a kid) but have lately been realizing that it has never actually FELT right. So I've been exploring instead, and while it's still early, it's way more interesting to me. I love having this archaeological framework to keep in mind!
You’re welcome! It was so freeing for me when I learned this…I thought I needed to be an architect too but I was an archaeologist all along.
I’ve been stuck overthinking my “plan”… I need to just do. Thanks for the reminder!!
You’re welcome!
I love how you broke this down! Wanting to be an architect puts a lot of pressure on simply discovering! I don’t have all the answers either but glad to be figuring it out.
I think so many people want to be an architect, but being an architect isn’t something you can force. Enjoy the exploration!
This isn't quite the same, but it resonated with me. I'll explain ... When I left my job in healthcare to retire early I didn't realize I'd needed to keep working. And in some ways I'd missed my 'prof self.' So I set up an enterprise as an independent therapist. This is the learning nugget - the directions I thought I'd go in often didn't work out, but other things did. I could never predict the successful initiatives. I'm here 5 years later with my 'prof self' as a trainer, mentor and have a book about Clinical Supervision 'under my belt.' None particularly planned. A year ago I began writing (hoping tha despite AI I might forge a new career. Today alongside the speech/language work I ghostwrite historical, romantic fiction and love it (despite the huge weekly word count). Nothing was planned and I tried, reflected and found my way. I loved reading this as it gives a framework for thinking about developing in career (and life) . Now I'm trying again with substack ...positive therapy /mindfulness didn't get any views ...so trying a seasonal diary. We can't predict what will work sometimes. With Best Wishes, Ruth
I love this! I agree that it's sometimes impossible to predict what will work, but I find this motivating rather than daunting. It makes for an exciting life!
Love this concept! It reminds me of something I read in Stephen King’s book On Writing. He similarly speaks of excavating an idea like a fossil, uncovering as you go along. It’s freeing to realize i can get started without having it all figured out ahead of time. Thanks for sharing!
That’s exactly it! I haven’t read On Writing but have been meaning to, thanks for the reminder 🥰
I LOVE THIS!!!!!!!!!!
I love that you love it 🥰
This couldn't have timed better! I feel like I'm at a big crossroad in my life & career, and all I keep hearing is, find your niche, be specific, don't go broad and have it all figured out. Read this & listened to the chat in one go, and I sooo needed this today. Thanks Anna.
Go broad! Start before having it figured out! You’ll find the way!
Thank you for sharing this, Anna! I’ve never heard of the model but I inadvertently switched from an Architect to an Archeologist when I started my Substack. I was like - fuck it. I don’t know what I’m doing but I know I want to write for enjoyment and I’ll just see where that takes me. And guess what? It’s going great 😂 This was such a huge shift for me as I usually try to plan and control everything. This way is so much more liberating.
You sound EXACTLY like me 😂
👯😂
Love this piece Anna - it has definitely been my path. It’s similar advice I give to people on purpose - going for breadth first and it will lead you to depth.
Another wonderful way to put it! That’s been my experience too - breadth has become depth over time.
Great piece Anna, thank you for the encouragement to just get digging!!!
🥰
As a literal former archeologist who is finding her way in business….. I needed this!
As a literal former archaeologist, please tell me…how accurate is the metaphor?! Hehe
Team Archaelogist! as Kevin Kelly said: "Prototype your life. Try stuff instead of making grand plans."
Love Kevin Kelly!!!
awesome piece, keep digging!
That’s it!