DrumGit, Curtis Cunningham’s blog.

Here I sit, alternating between browsing “what to do with your life” type blogs and staring into space thinking “WTF?!?!?!?!”.

What do I want to be when I grow up? I can’t say for sure, but so far it’s looking like I’m extremely allergic to being a small cog in a big machine. Thing is, the big machine brings the positives of security, stability, a regular pay check, healthcare (too important in a country like the US). The negatives are politics, hierarchy, politics, very restrictive job scope, etc. Did I mention politics?

Most advice you see out there tells you to treat being unemployed/between jobs as like you’re employed for yourself, and your job is to find a job. That’s great advice when you’re #1 learning and growing in certain roles and you just wish to slip into the same role in a different company. It’s also great advice when you’re #2 in a place where you don’t have a choice - by that I mean, perhaps you’ve a mortgage, kids, wife, expensive toys that require a lot of upkeep, etc. I imagine in that scenario it’s most imperative to get back to status quo, with checks coming in to cover the outgoings.

I was almost on the property ladder a few months ago. I’m glad that didn’t work out! What happened was the markets were turning and the rules for borrowing money were in flux. I was in escrow at the time and as the seller removed the final contingencies and we were to move forward, the rules changed such that the bare minimum needed for a deposit was raised from 5% to 10%. I could’ve gone to this, but that would’ve pretty much cleaned out my reserves. If I’d taken the chance and gone ahead with it, I’d have probably already be in negative equity and completely focused on not disrupting my income flow. i.e. position #2 above.

In leaving my job the reactions I’ve had from friends and work colleagues has ranged from “Dude! What are you thinking?! You don’t have another job to go to?!” to “I’m SOOO jealous! I think it’s awesome!”, and every shade in between. It’s also been educational to see who took the time to respond to my leaving email, who picked up the phone, etc. and those who just never acknowledged my message all. I made great contacts at that job, and worked with some great folks. I hope to work with them again at some point.

Right now I’m in a great spot. I have a wonderful opportunity to make something for myself, and of myself. We all owe it to ourselves to find something that inspires us. Personally I just need to keep on track and not take the easy way out!

Nothing is forever.

The only constant is change.

This too shall pass.