Layoff Journal Week 14 – Peace

A belated happy Father’s Day is in order. Somehow it slipped my mind to include that in last week’s newsletter, but I hope everyone had a great day celebrating with their dads. For that, you’ve earned some extra fun stuff: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAQjbMK-5I8 (Dad joke survivors. 2 min viewing)

A man holding a child in the woods, both have big smiles.

Caption: Photo by Joice Kelly on Unsplash

This week’s newsletter will be shorter than usual as we’re on a family vacation. The break has been an excellent chance to restore some perspective, and I would say relax, but we’ve got four kids in tow, so it’s still pretty busy. We’re enjoying Europe (a delayed trip from 2020 that is finally happening.) The crowds are more significant than I love, but the museums, sights, and cultures have been very eye-opening for the kids. Even in the busyness we have been enjoying the downtime. Away from the hubbub of school, sports, and work, we can reflect on our relationships, friendships, take the time to enjoy food and to be contemplative.

Looking Back – finding peace in the chaos

In a company growing as fast as Indeed always was it was often hard to find peace in the day-to-day or even the month-to-month. The annual cycles did provide a sense of peace and calmness for me, though. It was helpful to look forward, set goals or OKRs, and then track progress towards them. 

As we start month four since the layoff, reflecting on your personal goals for your next job, for your family, and for your personal growth is an excellent way to refocus yourself on what truly matters. 

Looking Forward – playful peace

Finding a way to weave in the work-life balance I had at Indeed as I likely join a much smaller organization in my next role (nothing concrete, but still good progress, two interviews later this week) will be a challenge. I’ll be looking for ways to manage the onboarding and regular responsibilities while still maintaining my presence with our very busy family. There’s a framework I use at work I’ll have to use even more now at home. 

The four D’s:

  1. Do – only the things that I alone can do. 
  2. Delegate – the things I can use to help others learn and grow. 
  3. Defer – anything inessential for a while to determine its priority. 
  4. Drop – anything that doesn’t have to be done. 

Today’s Tip – peaceful vacation

I’ve said it before, but it’s summer now. Take that vacation. Take a break from the job searching (keep up enough to get that unemployment, of course.) Get into a new rhythm. Do something for yourself. Have a great time. Take pictures. 

Fun Stuff

Not sure about MS skills, but your pun game needs to be on spot! Must have skill on your resume

Man sitting cross-legged with jeans and a blue shirt with a computer on his lap. Caption:

Boss: “How good are you at PowerPoint?”

Me: “I Excel at it.”

Boss: “Was that a Microsoft Office pun?”

Me: “Word.”
man in long black coat and top hat clouded in smoke from a burning machine. 

Caption: Your name still comes up at work whenever something goes horribly wrong and we don’t want to take the blame.
Caption: Manager: Can everyone turn on their cameras for this call please?

Me: Some sort of ugly muppet character with yellow eyes and long, tangled hair.

“SH#T”

Final Words

If I can help with your search, please get in touch with me. Please give me feedback on what you like or don’t care for in this newsletter, and I’ll adjust. For total transparency, I have no affiliation with any of the tools, companies, or resources I share. These are my impressions, not tainted by any outside influences.

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