Mannerisms of Scannerisms

Mannerisms of Scannerism

I am often asked what I do for a living.  In reply I always smile. 'Do you mean today?'  You wouldn't believe the looks of confusion this creates.

My Scanner Mind:
As a scanner I cannot pinpoint any one career as most people can.  I have too many interests to settle for just one.  If you are a scanner you know exactly what I mean.  One day I can work as a secretary.  One day I can work in healthcare.  I have many skills and can fit into many work environments.  This behavior confuses most people.  I have received comments that describe me as indecisive, undependable, wishy-washy, impulsive, reckless and many more such labels.  All of those I am not.  I am decisive....I know what I want at any given moment and I go after it.  Undependable never!  If I commit to something I will see it through but once its done I will then move on.  Wishy-washy?  I don't think so.  Impulsive?  If having many interests means impulsive then yes I guess I am.  Reckless?  I like to think of myself as daring and fearless.

  Scanner Behaviors:
Scanners seek information.  We love to learn. Once we have learned what we see as vital we then move on.
Scanners juggle many projects.  As a scanner I can honestly say one project does not satisfy me.  I tend to juggle many projects and work on them all at various times throughout the day. 
Scanners can be unorganized.  Clutter is usually our bed fellow and we have to work hard to keep it at bay.
Scanners see time as short.  We want to do it all and it frustrates us to no end thinking that there are just not enough hours in each day.
Scanners are productive.  As partners in any project we turn out many ideas which hit us fast and hard and we work enthusiastically for short bursts of time.  Don't expect us to hang around after the project is finished though...in our minds we have already moved on to another interesting endeavor. 
These are just some of the behaviors you will see if you are working with a scanner.  To us they are strengths but to others these behaviors/traits may drive them crazy.

Organizational and Time Management Suggestions:
Use a day minder to keep yourself on track.  It will save you a lot of frustration.
Develop a schedule and stick to it.  By scheduling you create time for each project/interest.
Create a place for each project and put each project in its place.  I use different binders for each project .(informational/research).  For educational projects I use a bookcase and each shelf is dedicated to a certain topic.  This way everything I am studying stays grouped together.  (All herbal books and binders on one shelf.  All nutritional books and binders on a seperate shelf.)
Have an idea box.  Although I am working on certain projects I am also inundated with many ideas that I know I can't possibly follow through with at that moment. By writing each idea on an index card and placing it in my idea box I can get back to it at any given time.

Life Tips For Scanners:
Scanners tend to have many jobs but never a single career.  This can create a problem as far as retirement is concerned.  My advice is to begin now and invest in a retirement savings account.  I have learned this lesson the hard way.  Although I have worked all of my adult life I have not invested in a retirement plan.  Now I am playing catch up with this.  Scanners tend to live in the now...not in the future and most fail to plan for their futures. 
Give up the idea of ever having a traditional career.  Find the Good Enough Job.  One that pays a decent wage and that you will be able to tolerate.  Embrace the scanner in yourself..you'll save yourself a lot of frustration in the future.  Celebrate who you are.  Scanners are unique in that they can adapt to most any environment and that they can find joy in most any endeavor.  Let yourself create, learn and grow.  You will not be happy until you do.