You may have noticed that as the days count down to 100, I am getting a little nervous. I am starting to think less about the number of days under my belt and more about the number of days left – 18. That is just about two and a half weeks. I remind myself I called this blog “100 days or more” to avoid this very feeling. Yet, I can’t help feeling pressure.
I’m starting to empathize with how agency contractors must feel as they near their 100 day mark. Now that I think about it, Tom used to spend the last stretch of his 100 days looking for a new contract. We all know that looking for a job is a full-time job, so the 100 day break is a bit of a myth. The break part actually works out to closer to 75 days.
Should I be starting to look for work? Should I be writing my business plan, putting together a portfolio, seeking investors? How can I do that when I haven’t even figured out what it is I want? I haven’t figured out how to be super mom. Damn, if I wait for answers to those riddles to shine down from the heavens, I should call this blog 100 years or more.
What do I know? I know what I don’t want. When you can take the time to look back at your job history, while not being in a job it’s easy to remember the bad times. It’s easier to envision the nightmares than the ultimate dream come true.
What I don’t want to be doing (in no specific order):
- Sitting all day, especially in front of a computer
- Working under someone that I’m not learning from
- Living off of big evil companies profits (is this even possible?)
- Wasting away in meetings where no one has anything to say
- Working in an unsanitary, uncomfortable, or unsafe environment
- Sacrificing my physical health (ie. eating, sleeping, etc.) for my job
- Melody being away from her family for 9 hours a day
So the opposite of these things would be:
- Sitting with my laptop in 2 hour increments three times a day
- Working with a business partner who inspires me, or working freelance so I am not with any one team for too long
- Working for/with non-profits, not-for-profits, startups, small businesses, or do good companies like Tom’s (shoes that is)
- Running my own meetings and keeping them brief and/or excusing myself from meetings that aren’t on task
- Working out of a space I control or a swanky office somewhere
- Setting my own hours, or negotiating flex time via contract
- Same as #6
I promised myself I wouldn’t take any paid work for 100 days, but I think I better start lining up some small projects for January. As long as they meet the requirements of the second list, I think it will get my juices flowing and allow me to set a course for the next 100 days.
Hi Harmony-Each time i make lists like these and send them out into the Universe it is a very powerful experience. Somehow stating my truth opens up a window for good things to happen. Im excited to see what happens next…namaste, friend.
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