The time approaches for me to determine what I will do to reignite the economic engine. I have enjoyed my near-year of indolence more than I can possibly say, but I have a fear of running out of money, soon, so I must take the appropriate steps. Will I try to find a “job,” or will I create a new enterprise? Decisions, decisions, decisions.
Maybe i should read this book?
I have literally dozens of things I’d like to explore, but I have to be prudent with my money and my time. Ideally, I’d find a suitable partner who would serve as a good sounding board, and vice versa, to help narrow the field of ideas. I’m still not certain whether I’ll resurrect my old business, but probably not. The corporate shell remains and can serve as the foundation upon which to build, but at the moment my interest in association management is more an interest in consulting and project management than in full service, day-to-day management.
I am old enough to know what I want to do when I grow up. Maybe that’s the issue; I haven’t grown up yet. There are days…a lot of days…when I catch myself having a sense of wonder about something that, in an adult’s world, probably shouldn’t be such a source of wonder. I can stare for hours as clouds swirl and reinvent themselves; not an awfully productive use of my time, perhaps, but an experience that humbles me against the sky. It doesn’t have to be clouds. I can drift into the same sense of awe and wonder at a stream flowing by. And it doesn’t even have to be natural; I can stand beneath a spaghetti-bowl of freeway overpasses and be equally mesmerized by the simplicity and complexity of the beast.
There are so many things out in the world that could give me sufficient income to survive and sufficient satisfaction to survive happily. I just have to figure out which ones to pursue. I’m open to spending a week in an entrepreneurial retreat, exploring the best ways to generate income and contentment from a new enterprise. Anyone want to join me?
I fully understand, Phil. I don’t expect the same billing rate, but I hope to be pull back on the throttle when I find my new niche. I like the term…unworking…zit suits me!
I’ve kind of envied your time of unworking. It’s the fear of probably having to start something up again that keeps me from doing the same. I fear that once I’m off this horse I can’t get back on again, at least at the same billing rate.I’ve thought of the throttling-back-to-part-time, but I can never seem to quit promising everything by Friday afternoon. That would be the FRiday that I said I’d take off.
Robin, I think I’ve achieved the discipline to do that. It’s a very different discipline than that required for writing, I think. And maybe it’s no longer really discipline for me; I EXPECT more free time and I’m unwilling to go 50-80 hours anymore. I’ve turned a corner!
For me, the answer to that question is how self-disciplined you are. If you are self-employed, can you give a job 20 or 30 hours and truly walk away?
I may consider that, Robin. Now, the question is whether I’ll do it on my own or working for someone else. I bounce around on that like a ping pong ball on speed.
I think doing something part-time is a way to stay sane and keep the awe.
Love this. I wish more people could check out from the “rat race” and rediscover what makes them happy, or even just contemplative! You are very fortunate in many ways, sir!