When I left my job back in February, I had hopes of starting my own professional organizing business. I've had a couple people ask how it's going, so I guess an update is in order.
How is it going? Well... it's not. I've decided not to pursue the business. While I would love *doing* the organizing work, *getting* the organizing work would be a totally different matter. I would need to market my services, which would involve two activities I'm absolute CRAP at: selling and networking. I hate selling and I will always suck at networking, so every minute spent on such activities would be very unpleasant.
Instead, I will try to re-enter the real world and get an office job. I don't mind the thought of going to work, though I hope I can avoid a long commute and committing nearly 11 hours a day to my job. I would love to find a job that doesn't take over my life.
Unfortunately, I put off my return trip to reality too long, and now I'm completely out of touch. I'm struggling to get myself together enough to look for a job and possibly be ready for an interview. But I can't go without income for much longer. I have to get back to reality soon!
Reality. Bleh.
I'm having the same problem with trying to start out as an artist. Trying to get notced by the right people is just beyond me.
ReplyDeleteYou may find yourelf appier, though, knowingyou triedout ths route and discovered it wasn't for you, rather than never trying and thinking, "If only I'd taken the chance..."
Creative careers are probably some of the hardest to get going. Good luck to you!
DeleteI've actually been down this route before with my own business several years ago. I closed it, but I was glad I took the chance.
Oh, familiar situation...I thought, working at home for my own self on my own terms would be fun, but that's where I fail as well: selling and networking and expanding...so it didn't quite work out for me either...
ReplyDeleteActually, I think, I wrote a whole long rant about this on my blog, it was the exact same situation: I was isolated from the real world and everything outside of my living room, and I was depressed and finding out, that I do have to gat back to relatily just made it worse in the beginning...but you're such a creative, open minded girl, once you manage to overcome your dismay, I'm sure you'll find a suitable job. :)
It is an unpleasant situation, to be sure. Sorry to hear you had to go through it as well. Even with all the technology we have to connect us, we can still feel isolated.
DeleteOh crap :(. That's the negative thing creative people have to deal with advertising and selling, I suck on that too.
ReplyDeleteEventhough you are an introvert other people keep your head up. I hope you'll get a nice job nearby. Take care of yourself dear.
Thank you. :) I really hope to avoid a long commute. Spending nearly 1.5 hours in the car every day totally sucked.
DeleteI had to do a surprising amount of networking and selling myself just to get a regular job. endless endless networking events. I thought I wouldn't have it in me, but then I went to business school and they kind of make you. I eventually got the hang of it, kicking and screaming all the way. why don't you try honing those networking skills while you're looking for a regular job? You've got to do it anyway....
ReplyDeleteMy first thought is if I have to attend networking events to get a job, I am screwed. But networking is like any other skill - it improves with practice.
DeleteReally sorry to hear that. After I graduated with my second master's, I had a really hard time motivating myself to find a job. Wasn't that why I went to school in the first place? Didn't I want to use my education? So I sat around the house, playing with the cat and sewing until my money ran out and I was forced into work. It was so hard for me, because I am awful at saying "look at me, I'm so great, you should hire me!" (This is probably because I don't think I'm great.)
ReplyDeleteI wish you luck, both with the job hunting and kicking the depression. I think most of us have been there. :(
Sorry you had to deal with the same situation. It is hard. Calling attention to myself and bragging are absolutely counter to my personality. The only way I can do it is to look at the situation as problem-solving, which I'm good at -- the employer has a problem/need, and I have the ability to solve the problem/fulfill the need. Even that is hard for me some days.
DeleteI've never liked myself much, but in the past, I was at least pretty confident about my job skills. This time is different. After the endless fail that was my last job, my confidence is shot. It's hard to get hired without confidence (bordering on arrogance, to my mind).
Thank you.
Poop, I'm in the same boat. Economy is crap, and every graduate here comes out to realize that we're just a touch under-qualified for the careers we aspired to... Beyond my degree, I'd be happy to end up in a full time job, regardless what field it's in, but full time work is just non-existent right now. :(
ReplyDeleteThere are way too many people in this boat. :( From what I've read, it is extremely difficult to be a new graduate these days. Good luck to you.
DeleteDammit, dammit, dammit. I'm bummed for you, Bane. :o(
ReplyDeleteIt really is hard to self-promote. I had a hard time handing out business cards at the Zombie Race because I felt it was too pushy. Beer helped me, though - maybe alcohol's the key? ;o)
I was thinking of a personality transplant, but maybe alcohol is the better solution! ;)
DeleteEven the smallest bit of self-promotion makes me feel pushy, though others probably don't see me that way. Some say there is a difference between self-promotion and arrogance, but I have a hard time finding it for myself.
Keep holding on! It'll work out. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI can sympathize also. Even though I'm lucky enough to have a full-time job, I'm bored stiff with it, and have been trying to actually use my master's degree for the past almost 5 years, but no luck. I've done selling in the past, and it's HARD. Even though I was actually pretty decent at it, I'm an introvert by nature, and it was really hard forcing myself out there.
ReplyDeleteToo bad you don't have a business partner who LIKES doing the selling and networking/finding clients aspects, then you could let them do that while you focus on your end. Good luck with the job hunting!
Selling is hard. When I started college, I thought I'd go into marketing because it would allow me to travel. But it didn't take long to realize that was a terrible fit for my personality.
DeleteYes, the ideal situation would be a partner who finds all the clients for me. That would be awesome! I wish I could hire someone to find me a job.
Aww love, I'm sorry it didn't work out. On the plus side, you did give it a go! I hope you beat your depression.
ReplyDeleteIs it possible to join another organizing business and work for them? There may not be many near you, I suppose, but you might get the opportunity to do a job you love and not have to worry as much about selling yourself.
Thank you.
DeleteIt might be possible. There is a trade association that I can contact to see what businesses are in this area.
Reality is horrible. Unfortunately, one can not avoid it for too long! Good luck in the real world...
ReplyDeleteThanks! Hopefully I won't burn up on reentry. ;)
DeleteThat sucks! Still, sometimes working from home can be bad too because it does allow you too much time sitting around shut in a house. I was working from home the last few weeks and I would feel pretty desperate to leave the house by the end of the day. I guess that is the good thing about travelling to work. Although for me, the alternative is generally to travel 3-4 hours a day.
ReplyDeleteWorking at home can be both a blessing and a curse. With the alternative of traveling 3-4 hours, I'd say it's much more a blessing.
DeleteI got spoiled with my easy commute in DC -- just 12 minutes by train. It was hard to go back to commuting by car.
I wish you the best of luck in finding a new job. I'm sure it will all work out somehow.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
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