On being irresponsible

My professional world is topsy-turvy right now. And I needed a break.

In May, I began looking for traditional work again.

I love speaking, coaching, and creating resources for leaders and coworkers who desperately need a more positive work experience.

I am humbled by how many opportunities I get.

In the next few months alone, I will serve

American Hospital Association
Indiana Association of Nursing Professional Development
Wells County Chamber of Commerce
Wellness Council of Indiana
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN)
Indiana Organization for Nursing Leadership IONL
The Metro Detroit chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society
Mental Health America
Community Health Network
Ohio Public Health Association, and the
Crossroads Emergency Conference

I’ll be in
🛫Minnesota
🚗Michigan
🚗4 locations in Indiana
🚗Ohio
🛫Washington, D.C.

👨‍💻And I will serve audiences across the country through virtual sessions.

And yet… I know that I need more stable income in our next season of life.
🧑‍🎓We have a third child entering college and the up-and-down of self-employment is a little too unpredictable. If you know, you know.

I’ve been applying to jobs since May–with the hope of continuing to speak whenever possible.

😵‍💫If you are looking for a job right now, you know–it can be a miserable experience.

AI and the economy have disrupted the workplace and job hunting looks different now.

I haven’t followed a linear “progressive” path with my career. That makes my applications difficult to read for AI bots and HR recruiters reviewing my information.

Topsy. Turvy. Need. A. Break.

📅Last Sunday, Kristen and I dropped our daughter off for a week-long mission trip. Our schedules were mostly clear for the first time in… our lives?

“We should get away together,” I said, an hour later, over a vanilla chai latte.

“Yeah, who knows how much longer before we are both back at traditional jobs?” she replied.

Usually, we are too responsible. Noses to the grindstone. Task-oriented.

But we are learning to have fun and embrace the moment.

🚶‍➡️“How about Hocking Hills, in Ohio?” Kristen suggested.

“Let’s do it,” I answered on Sunday afternoon.

We booked an AirBnB, a cute little shipping container in the middle of the country, and left the next morning.

We hiked trails.
We soaked in the hot tub.
We ate dinner at a state park.
We did not work, apply for jobs, or otherwise act responsibly.

😁As a happy surprise, the world did not fall apart while we were off the grid.

Maybe being overly responsible isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

🧘‍♂️Maybe, even when our world is topsy-turvy, we can take a break. Be idle for a little bit. And enjoy ourselves.

Thanks to Leo Umilio for his encouragement to embrace idleness.