{"id":177,"date":"2022-02-10T03:36:41","date_gmt":"2022-02-10T11:36:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/harpistanneroos.com\/blog\/?p=177"},"modified":"2026-01-04T02:21:33","modified_gmt":"2026-01-04T10:21:33","slug":"the-career-epiphany","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/harpistanneroos.com\/blog\/the-career-epiphany\/","title":{"rendered":"The Career Epiphany"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Barbie™ sales distribution data downloaded slowly onto the company computer. I stared blankly at the never-ending rows of numbers appearing on the screen. This is how I began every day in my cubicle at Mattel Toy Company<\/a><\/span>, logging in to view statistics upon arrival at my desk at 9 am, Monday through Friday.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"35th<\/a>
Close-up of Barbie™ 35th Anniversary Special Edition Reproduction of Original 1959 Barbie Doll<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

My position as sales distribution analyst involved\u00a0reporting\u00a0where Barbie dolls lagged in sales and then researching the source of the problem. Maybe Cincinnati stores received a shipment of dolls without legs. Maybe blizzards prevented delivery trucks to transport dolls to Chicago stores. Or maybe a particular store chain didn\u2019t bother to put the Barbies on their shelves.<\/p>\n

Sounds like a snooze-fest, right?<\/strong> There I was, working at one of the foremost toy manufacturing companies in the U.S., and I wasn\u2019t having any fun! I operated on automatic: clocking in, looking at sales data, and clocking out, day in and day out.<\/p>\n

Then one morning, I sat down at my desk, logged on, and as the data spilled onto my computer screen, I said to myself, \u201cWho cares about this stuff? It\u2019s just Barbie dolls!!!\u201d<\/p>\n

I had an epiphany.<\/strong> It was time to get out of there and say my good-byes to Barbie, Ken, and the entire Mattel toy menagerie.<\/p>\n

Did I hear a chorus\u00a0of angels sing when I made my decision?<\/strong> Nope. But it was a kind of intuitive spark that entered my consciousness, a decision that was so certain that I could taste it.<\/p>\n

Truth be told, I was also slacking at work. My performance stunk, because I was slogging through the mud of boredom. And so, I began on the path to finding a career that could hold my interest for the long haul.<\/p>\n

Past jobs almost seem like past lives\u2014I\u2019ve lived through many of them. When it was time to exit, that voice of reason sings into my ear, \u201cWho cares about this?\u201d I knew I didn\u2019t, so it was time to move on.<\/p>\n

My goal became clear: To find a career that meant something to ME.<\/strong> I found it in playing music.<\/strong> It continues to be fun, I don’t grow tired of it, and I feel appreciated because people\u00a0hire me to perform<\/a><\/span> and buy my music<\/a><\/span>. It’s definitely not a thankless 9 to 5 job.<\/p>\n

Many believe that music is a dumb career choice. Even comedian Louis C.K. believes that a music career is a \u201cstupid thing to do for a living\u2026making a noise that a computer can make.\u201d<\/strong> (At least he thinks music is a better career than dance). He branded\u00a0the musicians in Conan O\u2019Brien\u2019s late night show<\/a><\/span> band \u201ca clump of nothing.\u201d I\u2019d be thrilled to have a cushy TV show band job, and I wouldn\u2019t consider it \u201cstupid\u201d in the least. What a dream\u2026to have a regular, dependable music gig\u2026<\/p>\n