Is it Limbo?

I have?been meaning to write for myself more often. I write a lot but it always seems to be short blurbs for websites, scripts or other ad copy. Yesterday, I read a post about starting your day by writing something on a random topic. I thought it was a great idea to have one, focused thought for your day. So I'm going to try to make this exercise part of my morning. It might not be daily - I’m ok with that. I bet takes it takes some time to get these out quickly - and I’m ok with that too. Anyway, let’s do this together. You can tell me what works and doesn’t. I promise, I will listen!

LIMBO

Seven months ago I began a process that put me in limbo. I was offered a buyout at my job and for one of the few times in my life, I took a risk, a big risk. With two kids in college, it was a decision?that took a lot of thinking and discussions with my wife. With her support, I checked out of my office for the last time on December 30, 2022. As my company apps faded from my iPhone I was neither here nor there - I found limbo!

My goal was to network, learn and get into a new role. 2023 would be the year of "yes"! Anything was and is possible. A few months later, I have more irons in more fires than I have had in years. I have had a few paying projects, met some great people I would like to work with, met some crazy people I would not want to work with, bid a few projects, and have had advanced talks for projects that could be wide reaching and bold. I’m now working with a company to help grow their tech business. I got a company email, business cards and a trip booked to a industry convention later this summer. Pretty cool! Thing is, none of those are paying. Yet.?

I am busy, like full-time job busy. But it’s limbo. Not employed but part of a team. I have helped rebuild a website, created sizzle videos, meet with clients, toured manufacturers, learned a hell of a lot really quickly. A lot for sure.?

But not spending a career taking big risks has me wondering what direction am I headed??Did I really do the right thing. Am I out of my sphere of knowledge? Shouldn’t I be networking down the paths I know? And where is that excel sheet with my contact list? Maybe I need to call that guy back with the crappy job offer? Go back, stay here or move forward? It’s limbo.

Busy or productive?

Having spent many years making, creating, directing all sorts of content. I got used to busy. Busy was productive and productive was busy. Now I find myself questioning busy. Now that I’m in limbo, where the reward is murky and not guaranteed, I can’t say that busy is good. That it’s productive. My brain likes busy, like sugar. Working, fixing problems, hitting deadlines was the reward for me. That I got paid was nice too.

But take the carrot away and the relationship with your own output changes. Is this something that will lead to a reward or a waste of time? Sure everyone is happy with the work and it is welcomed. But pitching and sales is hard for someone used to a check every 2 weeks.?

Embrace Limbo

I have decided that limbo is a chance to grow out of limbo. Time to listen to my inner voice,?

overcome the doubt, take time to say yes (it’s still the year of yes!) and do more than I ever dreamed.?I think a lot of you might be here with me and yep, it’s hard.

But the good moments do seem to pop up, even in limbo because you know, limbo is not forever.