Should young people have a "life script?"

Although I can't be positive that this was the article being discussed on the radio yesterday as I drove the church mail run, it sounds like it. The three millennials, all from California (one was Huntington Beach) were discussing the errors of a "life script." And it made sense. Women, they said, often are ready for marriage and family by age 25, having finished college and had a taste or distaste of a career. The 20s is still the safest and healthiest time for mother and child for birth. However, men of that age are still being encouraged to be adolescents, going to bars with the guys, doing extreme sports, taking stupid risks, etc. Some times they still live with mama, and so why give all that up for responsibility?

 http://thefederalist.com/2016/06/08/10-top-reasons-you-should-have-kids-before-30/

  Mothers who are age 35 and older are at significantly higher risk for, among other maladies, giving birth prematurely, which gives rise to more health problems for the child, and for having babies with Downs Syndrome. Father age is also a crucial risk factor: “By starting families in their thirties, forties and beyond, men could be increasing the chances that their children will develop autism, schizophrenia and other diseases often linked to new [genetic] mutations.”

If you want to be a hero, leader, or celebrity, the number-one way to get there is by having children. You are their world—truly. Almost none of us will be able to say the same professionally.

Career Management Inventory

Do you keep books in the bathroom? The other day my husband suggested I needed to change the books in my bathroom (which he occasionally uses). Books that sit on the toilet tank are seen more by men than by women, if you get my drift. I thought it was funny. But I did take a look at the titles again, and decided to keep them all. One title is "No more blue Mondays; four keys to finding fulfillment at work" by Robin A. Sheerer. I don't know how long I've had it or why I bought it (used book for $1.00) because I'm retired. As I leafed through it, though, I found an interesting survey to help someone unhappy at work. So I took it--based on what I remembered of my last position ca. 1999-2000. Interestingly, it didn't cover anything I didn't like about those last two years--planning a new library for the veterinary college. I guess I didn't see those interminable hours of looking at electrical and plumbing sheets, choosing furniture and shelving, and attending endless meetings seeing my space cut as part of "my job." Questions 47-59 were on personal appearance, which sort of surprised me (I didn't copy the last page but it was teeth, weight, exercise, etc.) I gave myself a green star for true, lime green for mostly true, and red for needed a lot of work (hate to set goals). I'm a bit obsessive about time, so I gave myself 2 stars for being on time. In fact, when I was the chair of a committee, we didn't wait for the slug-a-beds.

Click to enlarge so you can read the print (pages were gray).

3681

It works in academe, too

Jared Sandberg in Cubicle Culture (WSJ) today listed a guide for horn tooters, gas bags and self-promoters. I recognized all of them, although I've spent most of my professional life in libraries not in business.

1. Move on to another job before the project fails.

2. Copy the boss with all your e-mails.

3. E-mail late at night to suggest you haven't left work.

4. During meetings, reinforce the boss' position with "Wouldn't you agree that. . . "

5. Cut down your colleagues or competition with, "You're saying what exactly. . . "

6. Wrap a self-serving argument in the flag of moral principle.

7. Be the ventriloquist's dummy, "What a great idea."

8. Speak first and often.

9. Distribute minutes or notes of the meetings, even if you aren't the one appointed.

10. Make the toasts at the office parties and social gatherings.