Giving Thanks . . . for Creating My Own Job

Thanksgiving is a time for reflection, and this year, I’ve been reflecting on what it means to stop waiting for a job to miraculously appear. Upon my unexpected layoff earlier this year, I did what anyone would do - spend every waking hour on LinkedIN refining my social media accounts and start applying to any Marketing role I that looked good.

After dozens of applications, interviews, and rejections—or what I like to call a long game of "Duck, Duck, Goose" — I decided it was time to create my own opportunity. That’s how Mike Magan Creative, LLC was born.

But this journey wasn’t mine alone. I owe a huge thanks to the nine or ten friends, former colleagues, former bosses, my wife’s colleagues, and marketing mentors who believed in me when I was secretly second-, third-, and fourth-guessing myself. Your dozens of job leads (most of which I applied to) and your encouragement, even when those leads fizzled out, gave me the push I needed to take this leap.

Now, let’s talk about Thanksgiving—a holiday that, like unemployment, comes with plenty of unsolicited advice and way too much pie. Here’s one last tongue-in-cheek look at what I’m thankful for as I close out my unemployment journey:

1. Thank You, Alarm Clock, for Being Useless AF

I’ve been ghosting my alarm for months. It sits there, dusty and powerless, while I wake up naturally to my neighbor Thad's leaf blower. He's a PARTNER IN A LAW FIRM, why is he clearing leaves on his lunch break? Cheers to a morning routine that doesn’t exist!

2. Grateful for Lunch Breaks That Last Until Dinner

My “lunch hour” is more of a “lunch five hours.” While others are speed-eating a Speedway Calzone in windowless break rooms, I’m luxuriating in a four-course feast—also known as a bag of chips, an entire pie, and a healthy portion of self-doubt.

3. A Toast to Sweatpants: The Real MVPs

My business casual attire has gathered more dust than my degree. Thank you, sweatpants, for expanding right along with my waistline and never judging me for taking “athleisure” to the extreme.

4. Deep Thanks for All the Time to “Reflect”

I've had so much time to think deeply about my life’s purpose... before immediately spiraling into watching 12 consecutive hours of reality TV. Nothing like a little self-exploration to make you realize how truly unqualified you are for everything.

5. Thanks, Interviewers, for Ghosting Me Before It Was Cool

Every ghosted interview is a reminder that I’m like a fine bourbon: left to age in a barrel until someone finally decides to roll me out... or the warehouse burns down. Special thanks to recruiters who promise to “keep me in mind” and then vanish faster than my motivation.

6. Appreciating Unemployment Benefits (While They Last)

Thank you for keeping me fed, housed, and (occasionally) showered. I’ve been living my best government-funded life—until the benefits run out, at which point I’m ready to start hustling... or begging.

7. Job Applications: The Ultimate Finger Workout

Who knew that filling out the same information 842 times would become my cardio routine? I’m basically an athlete at this point, minus the endorsements. Or the glory. Or the sense of accomplishment.

8. Shout-Out to Friends Who Don’t Poke the Bear

My true friends know that asking “How’s the job hunt?” is like asking the turkey how it feels about the oven. Bless them for just refilling my wine glass instead. Love you guys.

9. Grateful for All My Passion Projects... That Have Gone Nowhere

Yes, I’ve started a podcast, tried to write a book, and even considered selling artisanal candles shaped like motivational quotes. Have I finished any of them? Of course not. But hey, I’m thinking about it.

10. Thankful for the Ever-Present, Borderline-Delusional Hope

While employed people celebrate steady paychecks and job titles, I’m over here celebrating possibility. Every rejection email and failed application is just another step on my winding, delusional path to greatness. Or at least a path to having enough money for next month’s rent.

In all seriousness, allow me to remind you this is a parody. I am not actually this pessimistic. But if you take the at-time isolating process of job hunting seriously, you are kidding yourself. The people trying to fill positions often times wish they weren't handed the task. For the dedicated HR people who really do try to see every applicant as a human who's future is in your hands, they make errors in judgment all the time.

So this Thanksgiving, I’m giving thanks for the freedom to create rather than wait.

Mike Magan Creative, LLC exists to help enterprise marketing managers and small business owners tackle their creative to-do lists with high-quality, consistent work.

Our tagline says it all: “From To-Do... To Done.” If you’re ready to bring in someone who gets results, let’s talk. In the meantime, pass the stuffing—and here’s to never waiting for “Goose!” again.