After high school, guest Michael Anderson was wrestling whether he wanted to arrive at college as a Michael or Mike. It became a moot point after his Boy Scout qualities were immortalized a nickname given to him in orientation: Ranger. Known thusly ever since, Ranger soaked up the experiences of college and yet didn't leave with a clear path in mind. Early jobs in Boston were of the "work to live" sort, providing him enough structure and income to allow him to concentrate being in the moment with friends, a marker of achievement at the time. Recognizing he wasn't enjoying his work, he decided to pack it in for home in Chicago and press reset. After some soul searching he realized he was interested in urban planning and public policy and went back to graduate school.

An early position in municipal planning led him to understand that many of the ways his hands were tied at the local level came from decisions made at the federal level. So he headed to Washington and landed in the Department of Commerce, where he would ultimately spend his career in various analyst and budget director roles. When he realized that the pendulum of achievement had shifted too far to the career and too far from other markers of a well-lived life, he decided he needed to refocus once more. Making some major adjustments later in life, he found what achievement looks like changes as life experiences and circumstances change as well.

In this episode find out from Ranger how the desire to make a difference can remain strong even as the scope changes from the wider world to the world within your own four walls … on ROADS TAKEN...with Leslie Jennings Rowley.

About This Episode’s Guest

Former Boy Scout Michael 'Ranger' Anderson has a master's degree in urban planning and public policy. He is a long-time budget director within the U.S. Department of Commerce, currently working within the International Trade Administration. He lives in Fairfax County with his wife and pandemic baby. Luckily, Ranger has the balance necessary to be there for them.

For another story about discerning a truer source of personal achievement, listen to our episode with John Strayer.

Find more episodes at https://roadstakenshow.com

Executive Producer/Host: Leslie Jennings Rowley

Music: Brian Burrows

Email the show at RoadsTakenShow@gmail.com

Find more episodes at https://roadstakenshow.com

Executive Producer/Host: Leslie Jennings Rowley

Music: Brian Burrows

Email the show at RoadsTakenShow@gmail.com

Changing Priorities: Michael 'Ranger' Anderson on balancing life changing work with life changes

Roads Taken