A new path!

Finally, after some aggressive networking and head-scratching, I was offered a job at a very reputable digital agency here in Atlanta. Very excited and could not sleep for a few days. Of course with this great opportunity, there is a TON of thank you's that need to go out to family, friends, and colleagues - for none of this would not have happened without people's help. And I came to realize that it is ok to ask for help especially when you are down in the dumps. I think this is a blessing as well as this could not have come at a better time.

I will be starting as Account Supervisor for Razorfish here in Atlanta (www.razorfish.com) on 12/7. Interestingly enough, I started networking with this company back before I was laid off and I think things just came together perfectly. So there is some sense of pride and self-appreciation on my part in knowing that I stuck to my guns and stayed focused even in times of frustration and low esteem. Many of my friends were out of work for some time - and some are still searching...so I feel very lucky.

Adios and vaya con dios

What a perfect song that makes so much sense in my life right now. I do need to find my own beach and relax and just have fun - maybe it is time to really focus in on enjoying life, friends, family and yourself. I think we all try to do this, but I think there are many who just take things for granted and when things affect your life (now that I am almost 40), you really start to stop - and think. It is all about balance and perceptions.

I think this video speaks wonders - even though on the surface it is a huge country hit.

Positive perceptions

I found this article interesting and much needed today. It hasn't been a month yet since my layoff and I am really in the dumps and just not sure what to do next. A majority of my thoughts are festering into past decisions I made and it is directly affecting my confidence. Just one of those days where I need that tiny ounce of positive reinforcement.

http://unemploymentality.com/2009/09/how-to-make-unemployment-a-positive-experience/#more-3725

2 weeks in

Time for reflection. I am about 2 weeks into this 'transition' or 're-alignment' to my career path and it is a bit different this time around. So far the momentum is just slow and feels very protected or guarded out there. Not sure how else to describe this feeling....looking for a job with soliciting contacts with your peers or just reaching out to someone (who is employed) and hoping that there is a thread of understanding that you can grab on to and just have a positive conversation with someone. Maybe it is the silence of validation that I am hearing or just the fact that I am really in the dumps right now. Really hard to swallow such a thing called 'unemployment' and I am sure that I am not alone feeling this way.

So now that I am slowly succumbing to this state of mind...trying to grasp the fact that I really do not know what to do next other than run through the broken cycles of networking, applying, tweaking resume, talking, applying, applying and applying...all this good effort with minimal results. There has got to be another way to do this or maybe something I am missing.

One thing that I am noticing is that there is some really GOOD talent out there. Some people who are in my profession or at my level simply have such an impressive background that again, plays into my insecurities that I am either just not up to the task in my field or I just need to toss in the towel and look for something else.

Of course with the idea of completely taking a left at the career cross-road to something completely different may not be economically feasible at this time. I am reminded daily with a close friend who has been out of work now for almost 2 years from the big-orange-box-home-supply-company and hearing how he was weeks away from declaring bankruptcy - and took a job out of state to provide for his family. Is this something that is also in my future? Should I have done something different? How much risk am I willing to put on myself and on my family? Just too much to think about right now.

Back in the pilot's seat

Not a great week for me this week as I was let go from my current advertising job (www.tmp.com). This has happened to me before, so I am not immune to the cycle of emotions that one goes through as you try and simply encompass the fact that it is really not about you (or me in this case), but affects your family and friends. The good news is that I am fairly clear and proficient on what needs to be done - but the fact that GA is now a few clicks over the 10% unemployment rate makes my skin crawl. This means more competition out there than the last time I was unemployed, but ready to kick some booty.

The other good news in this challenge in front of me is two-fold. I have a wealth of friends, colleagues and contacts who genuinely are wanting to help in any way and the prospect that this could be the start of something new is just a weird kind of a catharsis. Strangely exciting in a point in your life where it is strangely SCARY.

So for this week, I have made some good progress but I also know from experience that as soon as Thanksgiving hits, the doors will most likely be shut until Q1 of 2010. I am excited to see some opportunities at a few leading digital agencies here in Atlanta and looking to get back into a true digital environment with a diverse team. Exciting nonetheless.