“Action 1st. Mistakes 2nd. Lessons 3rd.”
What are five things I’m grateful for?
This one should end up being a very long list. Another way to look at this exercise is this: what if you woke up today with only those things you thanked God for yesterday? That should get your brain in gear.
Self Employment Tax Form – Schedule SE (Photo credit: Philip Taylor PT)
“Not to dream boldly may turn out to be simply irresponsible.” – George Leonard
Changing the wallpaper. That’s how I used to describe the job changes I’ve had over my career. I would start a new position being very excited about the possibilities and before too long, the old way of thinking would creep in. Just like changing the wallpaper in your home, at the beginning of a new job, it’s exciting and different. But over time, you begin to realize it’s still the same room in the same house in the same neighborhood in the same town. Before I knew it I was out looking at samples again. I was changing the wallpaper hoping for a different outcome but I was neglecting the structure I was living in. The very foundation of my career is what needed to change. I thought another new position would be enough. But it was never enough. It was only enough to quiet the yearning in my heart for a year or two or three. No matter how long it took, that little voice in the back of my head would start whispering again.
And in moments when I was truly honest with myself, it wasn’t merely a little voice whispering in the back of my head. It was what God had written on my heart that was speaking. How long did I want to continue to go through life ignoring what God has written for my life? Not much longer than I already have.
So I took a few small steps that have changed everything.
When I was unemployed earlier this year (fortunately only the months of March and April) I attended several networking groups regularly. During one meeting, one of the facilitators was speaking and he said something to the effect of “You are all here looking for a job. Many of you have gifts that can be used in other ways. Maybe it’s time you stopped looking for a job and you BECAME the job.” For those of us in attendance with a certain mind-set or inclination, we knew he was talking to the aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners; those wanting to step out on our own.
The seed that had been planted in my heart long ago had just been fertilized. And that seed sprouted. Over the next several months that sprout continued to grow almost to the point it became a weed. I couldn’t stop it from growing and sprawling. I knew well enough I wasn’t going to pull it or cut it back. I was going to let it grow. And before too long I had created a LLC for my own company. I was talking to attorneys and accountants and health insurance brokers and I was out looking for clients, building a web site and creating marketing materials. Most importantly, I submitted my resignation. That small act was actually huge and incredibly significant. I am no longer an employee. What I am now is a free agent and business owner.
All the fears I had carried through the years about being my own boss held me down. They prevented me from acting. They prevented me from liberating my gifts and sharing them with the world. Taxes? Healthcare? Insurance? Company-formation documents? In a previous life all those factors tied me down. All it took was a few phone calls and asking a few questions of people I already had in my life and trusted. You would be surprised what it takes to start a company. The short answer is not that much.
My 7-year old son asked me several weeks ago as I was tucking him into bed “is your company going to be a big building?” I love the perspective kids can provide. His question brought me into his world and how he sees it. I value that perspective. I told him a company isn’t necessarily a big building. A company is simply a few signed pieces of paper sitting in a file folder in some office somewhere. The reason there are big buildings is that some companies have lots of employees and they all need somewhere to work. I won’t have lots of employees so I won’t need a big building.
The person I am today is not the same person I was even 4 weeks ago. The switch that gets flipped in your brain when you make the decision and change from employee to business owner creates a whole new paradigm. The changes I have gone through have been profound. The way I view and think about things are what have changed the most. How I view myself has changed. I’ve had to get comfortable and re-acquainted with who I am in my new role.
Up until several weeks ago my wife and I were talking about how difficult Christmas was going to be. Money has been very tight and two of our kids have December birthdays. We were wondering where the money was going to come from.
What a difference a few weeks and a little preparation make. Now, we’re having discussions on how we’re going to get Gustafson Power Recruiting, LLC to be a $500,000 company. When we get that figured out and reach that goal, the next step is a $1,000,000 company. With a company like that I can bless many people in many ways I could never dream of in my previous life.
Being an employee with an employee mindset was restrictive. Now, the possibilities are limitless. Now, I get to spend time thinking about the person I must become to create a million dollar business. I like that thought. I like the idea of the person I will be when that day arrives. Clearly, the person I am today is not the same person I will be years from now.
I walked through my fear. I let it fool me almost my entire life up to this point. Shame on me. Now I know better. Fear is a vapor.
I’m under no illusions there won’t be storms and rough water in the days and years ahead. But I’m prepared. Louisa May Alcott said it best: “I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.”
Be abundantly blessed!
And please let me know how I can help you on your journey.
Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones come daily. – Ivy Baker Priest
The purpose of RecruitingShingle is to help those in the job-search process. Being unemployed or in the wrong position can be stressful. I know firsthand. I’ve been unemployed a few times in my career. I thought I might be able to help people in that situation by leveraging my years of corporate recruiting experience. It’s not flashy but the right kind, helpful or supportive word, the right assistance to the right person at the right time can be profound.
For the past several months (it could even be a year or more) I have driven through a particular part of town where I live and have seen an elderly gentleman on the sidewalk holding a sign. He is not there every day or even every weekend. But when he is there he is always wearing slacks, a nice white dress shirt and white athletic socks on each hand. His sign reads “I need a job please.” Time and time again I have driven by, seen him and wondered what his story is. Several times I have been with my entire family and we ask ourselves the same questions about him.
This past Sunday, September 15 I was driving by and he was there in his usual spot. This time I decided it was time to stop wondering and find out. I was with my nine-year old daughter and I said, “I’m a recruiter. I help people find opportunities. Maybe I can help him too.” We found a spot in a nearby parking lot and walked up to him and started a conversation.
I introduced myself and my daughter and started to ask him questions. What’s your background? What type of position are you looking for? What is your educational background? Those types of things. It didn’t take long to determine he was a bit slow. Whether it was due to age or mental capacity I couldn’t determine.
I asked him if he had any computer skills and he lifted up a sock-covered hand and moved it up and down indicating the hunt and peck method. I asked him if he had any kind of resume and he said “No. I haven’t had a phone for a while now.” He said he liked administrative work and filing. I asked him if he were given an opportunity if he would be able to get to work. He said he could. At that I told him about the Southlake Focus Group; a networking group I have written about previously.
I went back to my car with my daughter and wrote down the details for the meeting. As I was writing, another vehicle pulled up and a gentleman got out and approached the job-seeker. I saw he gave him a business card and he turned and left. Before I got back out of my car I looked at my daughter and asked: “Do you think he could use this?” as I pulled out a $20 bill from my wallet. I rarely carry cash but happened to go to the ATM that morning. My daughter got a big grin on her face and agreed he could probably use it. So I told her, “then let’s bless him with it.”
We got out of the car and went back to him. I went through the notes I wrote and told him they meet every Thursday morning. As he took the sheet of paper from my one hand, I took the money in the other and slipped it in his shirt pocket.
As we drove away, my daughter was filled with questions: “I wonder if he has a family? I wonder if he’ll be ok? I wonder if he has enough food? I wonder why he wears socks on his hands?” She even had the thought to make him a new sign because the one he had was ripped and coming apart. I told her those were good questions and maybe one day we’ll find out but at the very least there are places he could go for help in getting food. I told her “he has a car and that he is able to wear nice clothes so maybe his situation is not so bad. But we stopped and offered help; we blessed him – together.
I’m quite certain that five-minute exchange with the job-seeking stranger had a huge impact on my daughter. That thought was confirmed a few days later; the following Thursday morning (the day of the networking meeting) before she left for school. She came up to me while I was sitting at my desk in my home office and wondered out loud: “I wonder if he is able to get to the meeting you told him about.” My response was straight forward and honest: “If for whatever reason he couldn’t make it today, maybe he’ll make it some other week.”
In the weeks and months to come, I’m going to make it a point to stop and chat as often as I can. I hope over time I will learn more about him and move him closer to a job. Our first exchange lasted only a few minutes but I know it will have a lasting impact on me, my daughter and him.
To be continued…
There are three ingredients in the good life: learning, earning and yearning. Christopher Morely
I created RecruitingShingle to help those that are in career transition. There are so many seemingly complicated moving parts to a job search; I want to help by providing ideas, clarity or understanding however I can. But today, I want share with you a remarkable group of people.
Week in, week out, they are in the arena slugging it out working, striving, learning, networking, sharing, and growing. They are way outside their comfort zone but they are doing what needs to be done. So this week I dedicate my article to the job seekers and volunteers at The Southlake Focus Group (SFG).
By far, this group is the most helpful, supportive and, most importantly, useful organization in the Dallas / Fort Worth area to help those in career transition to find a new position. I have availed myself of their services a few times over the course of my career.
They are always there willing to help and support you as you go about the task of finding your next opportunity. One of the comments they like to make is “we’re sorry you’re here but we’re glad you found us.”
In my experience, these job seekers are in a constant state of learning. They are honing their skills. Getting better at giving their elevator pitch, updating their resume and cover letter, learning how to ask better questions in an interview, learning the intricacies of Linked In, how to be more productive with their time in networking and sharing opportunities and so much more. These are all good things.
This group is also in a state of yearning. Many feel their lives have been up-ended due to the loss of their job. And they’re right. Many have been out of work for a few weeks. Many more have been out several months. They are all yearning for their next position.
When I think about the word ‘yearning’ I think of the word hope. And when I think of the word hope I also think of my friend Marvia. I met Marvia several months ago while attending the SFG and its spin-off group HR Career Networking Group.
Marvia is one of those rare people who, once they enter your life, I hope you have the wisdom to recognize the impact they can have on you. She inspires, offers hope and encouragement. I have asked Marvia for help several times. Each time she has responded with more than I asked. And she does it with a giving attitude. When I reached out to her for help again just yesterday she provided an array of ideas and suggestions.
She also followed up with a note indicating that she just landed a new position. No one deserves it more. Way to go Marvia! I am so very happy and excited for you. To say nothing of how proud of you I am. You have taught me a great deal and I look forward to future lessons.
She also has a very inspiring blog. You can check it out here: http://humanimpulse.wordpress.com/
Never stop learning. Never stop yearning. And do what you can to never stop earning.
RecruitingShingle 