It was the best 45 minutes of my life. I just didn’t know it.
“Here’s a box for your things. HR will mail you some paperwork in a few days and security will escort you out of the building.”
Uh, what just happened? Was I fired?
Not exactly.
Did I do bad work?
Not according to the past 13 years of reviews.
So why am I standing on the curb outside an office building holding a cardboard box with 13 years worth of my life in it, waiting for my carpool buddy to pick me up and drive me home early?
Simple. I let someone else control my life.
In every fantasy or Sci-Fi novel I ever read (and I’ve probably read far too many), the hero never accepted being controlled, shackled or imprisoned. They always fight, despite the other slaves, despite the menacing overlord, despite the creepy thing with waaaaay too many teeth currently trying to chomp his backside.
My heroes fight for the right to choose life on their own terms. Fight for the ability to be master of their own destiny. Fight for freedom.
Fortunately, I’ve was set free and I didn’t even have to fight. Hell, I was looking forward to grabbing up a raygun and zapping a few Daleks. But there was no bang, no revolution, and now I can choose where I want my life to go.
Here’s the good news for you.
You don’t actually need to be kicked to the curb to start your own revolution. You have just as many ideas rolling around in your head as I do.
Start your own business now. Start on the side, start small, start however you wish, but please start living on your own terms.
Don’t wait until you’re on a curb wondering what the hell just happened.
Slay your dragon and get the girl (or guy) and live happily ever after now, not “some day”.
It’s your story. Be the one who tells it.
Toff Ward
OpenSourceMarketer.com
Great post. I was laid off too, and so I know what you mean. Since then, I’ve started my own blog, and even though I’m not raking in the money like I used to, I feel happier than I’ve felt in a long time.
its all about lifestyle. If you love what you do, then why would you do anything else?
Your site made me think of Edwin Windsor, Evil Efficiency Consultant (let’s face it, villains generally have very poor financial savy).
http://www.podiobooks.com/title/how-to-succeed-in-evil-the-novel
Holy Crap,….my brother is brilliant! (I taught him everything he knows)
Toff’s Sister
Gracias, dear sister, though I haven’t altogether figured out how making “blue” food (using food coloring) will eventually change the course of my life. Who knows, my innards may still be trying to survive that thankfully short cooking phase of yours :)
Absolutely love this post, Toff!! Dude – somber story, the laying off – really kinda socks ya in the gut to think about companies doing that to long-term employees! I’m all for the dragon-slaying, mate-getting REVOLUTION!! Onward!!! :D
Great to hear from you Lisa. It’s been a while. If you make it to opencamp, look us up (we are a sponsor).