How Do I Get That Job?

I once heard a comedian say that adults are always asking kids what they want to be when they grow up because they are looking for ideas. I often tease my husband that in case he ever comes to his senses and fires me, I better start making a back-up plan. Last week, I asked my kids what they want to be when they grow up. Their answers were: a chiropractor, a comedian/actor, and a Pokemon master. Shockingly, I didn't find those answers to be a good springboard for brainstorming my own career path.

I just finished listening to the audio book "Cold Hit," by Stephen Cannell. I picked it up at the library because I remembered reading about him in Jack Canfield's "The Success Principles." According to Canfield, Cannell failed first, fourth, and tenth grades, because he struggled with reading comprehension. Despite academic difficulties, he pushed himself in football, and through sports, he learned that hard work was enough to achieve excellence. Eventually, he became a hugely successful television script writer and producer. His credits include "The A Team," "21 Jump Street," "The Commish," and "Silk Stockings." He also wrote a number of best-selling novels.

"Cold Hit" was okay. I didn't love it so much that I'd have to drive an extra mile to find out what happened next while listening in the car. Nor did I find it boring enough to return it to the library unfinished but on time. It follows your pretty normal detective novel format. I'd give it about a C+, but so what! When you have a hugely successful career, you're allowed to write some mediocre stuff. The point is that he never stopped working. He always continued to develop his craft. Still, as much as I love Cannell's success story, I was even more fascinated by the voice who read "Cold Hit."

Most of the audio books I've listened to are read either by the author or a famous actor. This one was read by someone whose career actually specializes in audio books. Scott Brick has been the voice on over two hundred audio books and was named a Golden Voice by Audiofile. This guy reads books out loud for a living! Heck! I read to my kids for at least a half hour every night, and I performed a pretty rockin' accent of the Grand High Witch while reading Roald Dahl's "The Witches." How can I get that job? So there's my next career path: audio book reader. Nice work if you can get it. Though from where I am now, it looks about as logical as becoming a Pokemon master.