Rodent Regatta

Style matters when you are seeking a career coach or a methodology for identifying the work that truly matches your passion. Curt Rosengren is the ”Passion Catalyst.” If you are looking at your life and the role that your work plays in your sense of fulfillment, take a look at Curt’s site and services.

Dan Miller is about to launch a new book. He’s also ramping up the circulation of his (free) weekly email newsletter. If you’re not pursuing the career of your dreams, it’s time to find the alternative. Dan has a process for doing it.

Use the comments to leave your email address and I’ll forward a copy of Dan’s latest newsletter explaining the offer. [Oh yeah, you won’t get spammed, either. Dan guards his list of subscribers closely.]

Curt Rosengren continues to provide great resources for those seeking passion, vigor and enthusiasm in an existing or future career. If your newsreader doesn’t include his writing, you should make it a part of your regular reading.

Earn a million, file no return?
The state wants to talk to you
By Mark Schwanhausser

Maybe it slipped their minds. Maybe they were busy counting their money. Or maybe the dog ate it.

Whatever the reason, 65 Santa Clara County residents who hauled in at least $1 million in income still haven’t filed their 2002 tax returns. Ditto for many more local professionals who really ought to know better: 59 certified public accountants and 221 lawyers.

State tax officials said Thursday they are mailing notices to about 700,000 scofflaws—or nearly one of every 20 taxpayers—statewide. All told, they owe $450 million that could help plug the state’s $6.5 billion budget gap.

The county is home to about 8 percent of the 865 Californians who earned at least $1 million in 2002 and didn’t file a tax return. That’s double the county’s share of tax-slacker CPAs, lawyers, contractors and medical professionals.

The Mercury News
July 9, 2004

Tech Republic is a site I visit from time to time. Today I got an email from them that carried this headline, ”Should an AS/400 refugee go MCAD or MCSE?” I have no idea why I clicked on the link. Having done so, I realized that I was in a discussion forum concerning a guy’s search for a new career path.

What was interesting was how other techies were advising a techie. Clearly, there were all forms of geekdom represented in the tips this guy received. There were also pieces of advice about opening a retail store, becoming a carpenter or seeking the rewards of mortgage brokerage.

In its own way this thread of discussion provides clear insight into why the I.T. function is in such desperate need of leadership at most companies. Some incredibly bright people simply must be channeled to those projects and tasks that are of highest value and highest return to the organization.