10 Things I Learned From Being Unemployed

To stretch my brain, I do a Morning Mental Exercise (MME). Part of it is to create a list of 10(ish) things each morning. Sometimes, I publish them on Medium.

Today’s list is a bit deeper than most.

A few months ago, my job leading the US presence for a global ad agency group was eliminated, in part because of changes after my holding company took on majority foreign investment.

I quickly identified short-term opportunities, and starting planning for long-term mission-driven solutions.

Now, I’m rich with opportunities, and about to start something new and exciting. Before I do, I wanted to celebrate this time and share some reflections:

1. Being capable of failure is an important capability. School teaches us to make safe decisions, and I typically take the safe choice from a range of acceptably exciting options. I took a riskier option, we did some great work, and it didn’t work out. While not my first failure, I’m proud to learn that I’m capable of failing with some grace and strength.
2. Bold action is something to be proud of. A mentor wrote to me, “You should be proud of your time. It takes a lot of guts to jump into an entrepreneurial opportunity like that.” I am?—?because it does.
3. Your network is your net worth. This quote is attributed to many people and was first told to me by Jon Ferrara. The network is there, of course, for job opportunities, but also for other forms of support: advice, exploration, social life, happy hours.
4. All you need is a little patience. Axl Rose sang it. Of course, don’t sit around all day watching cat videos. Be purposeful and make a plan?—?but have the patience to see that plan through. Don’t propose to the first pretty girl that talks to you.
5. It’s natural to keep score. A lot of folks you thought were on “your team” will disappear. Other friends or acquaintances will show unexpected levels of support, often unsolicited. Continue to help ’em all, but it’s okay?—?and wise?—?to recognize those who cared for you.
6. It’s okay to have good days and bad days. Some day of underemployment were amazing?—?taking meetings, making deals, exercising. Other days meant waking up late, skipping meals, binge watching The Get Down on Netflix. It’s all part of it. I learned to give myself to permission to suck sometimes.
7. Career down? Focus elsewhere. Time is the most valuable asset. When faced with more time on your hands, put it to use. Work out. Paint. Hike. Sing. Try yoga. Reupholster furniture. Do the things you wish you had more time to do. Save a few days a week as “extra Saturdays.”
8. Say “Yes!” to side hustles. Hopefully, you know what you do well. Offer it up to people in the short-term while you work on your long-term. This reinvigorates your network, opens up new opportunities, and puts needed funds in your pocket.
9. Sharpen the saw. Stephen Covey wisely suggests to do this continuously. I took the final month of my underemployment to participate in Seth Godin’s altMBA program. Great way to not only stay sharp, but develop new skills and networks.
10. A supportive partner means everything. In exactly 100 days, I’m marrying my wonderful fiancé Jessica. While I’ve been careful to not lean too hard on her, and no one person can meet every supportive need a person has, she’s been a rock for me. She’s never wavered, never showed any worry or lack of confidence that I’d get back, never gave me crap about being home while she worked for us. I’m lucky. Find someone like that.