I’m writing this post from Lima, where 6 years ago, I sat in a coffee shop strategizing my next move after leaving a leadership role at a startup. I am in a similar position today, having recently decided to move on from my role at 8020 and chart a new career path. In many ways, the experience is similar, with feelings of both optimism and uncertainty. What’s different this time is having more experiences to draw from. I’ve traveled the world, gotten married, moved to a new city, taught myself a new profession, and collaborated with hundreds of people.

In short, I have more data points. To say I know where I’m heading would be an overstatement, but these experiences have given me a refined sense of what’s good for me and a greater confidence in my ability to say yes and no to opportunities. This post outlines the attributes of good work for me. These conditions are the back of my metaphorical seed packet—the optimal blend of sun, water, and soil I need to thrive.

Connecting Dots

I’m at my best when I can leverage my curiosity to move between different teams, ideas, and challenges, finding patterns and creating new connections. Extending the natural metaphor, I’m closer to an ecologist than a plant biologist.  I succeed in macro-level roles where I can draw out ideas and insights from individuals to map out the bigger picture. My research skills and curiosity enable me to go from a place of limited knowledge to competency quickly. I love playing the role of pollinator or node within a network.

Being Resourceful

Resourcefulness is the single word that best defines my philosophy towards career and life. How do we do more with what we have? I admire those who live that question and seek to apply it in my own life through individual consumption habits, financial beliefs, and work contributions. I have a visceral reaction to waste of all kinds. It strikes me as ungrateful, unimaginative, and short-sighted. Conversely, I find solutions that respect constraints, some of the most elegant and creative. I value entrepreneurs and businesses that act with a spirit of resourcefulness, making the most of what they have and viewing constraints as a creative requirement. My favorite business models convert “waste” into something of value for others. I want to contribute to a world that is more resourceful and circular.

Prototyping over Polishing

My strongest contributions to a product, project, or idea are in the first 80% of the life cycle. I’m motivated by innovations and bringing them to life through prototyping and proof of concepts. I’m driven by the chase for that “Aha” moment when you get that first sense of whether an idea has legs. I also have a preference for work that emphasizes function over form, where a solution can be judged quickly without the need for a lot of pitching or persuasion. It’s best if I pass off the baton to others when it comes time to refine, polish, test, and develop standards.

Building for the “Real World”

At my core, I’m a deeply physical creature. I grew up building treehouses, playing outside, and creating with my hands. Simultaneously, I’ve learned to thrive online with 10+ years of remote work experience and a digital toolbox that includes programming, design, marketing, and remote facilitation. My sweet spot involves using technology to enable positive change in the physical world. I feel lost and de-motivated working on digital solutions to digital problems. I need to see the connection between my work online and life offline. It’s borderline countercultural in a remote-first world, but I’d also love for my work to include physical experiences like in-person meetings, fieldwork, or travel.