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I’m a lucky man. The last 9 months have been extremely rewarding for me, and I’m damn proud of what I’ve accomplished while unemployed. However, after reading more than a few unemployment horror stories from my Corn Heads, I admit that I do feel pretty guilty sharing my FUNemployed victories.
Since March I’ve been carrying on about being FUNemployed with pretty much everyone I’m connected to, grabbing laughs in the process. More than a few times my Facebook status has read, ”I’ve got 99 problems but a job ain’t one”, which has produced dozens of ‘likes’ from friends (don’t I look just like Jay Z above?) Maybe I’ve been a bit insensitive, but my current life situation presented an opportunity of a life time and I made the most of it. Is that so wrong?
My FUNemployed accomplishments:
- Started CornOnTheJob
- Traveled to Cancun, Key West, and Las Vegas
- Completed a prep-course for an HR certification, boosting my career street cred
- Attained close to 650 Twitter followers in just 4 months (follow me)
- My fan page on Facebook is nearing 400
- Connected with thousands of bloggers, job seekers, HR folk, and new buds. Here are some:
In December I’ll begin an entirely new career journey, which brings the end of my FUNemployment. Each accomplishment listed above played a part in this opportunity and I finding each other. I’m thrilled about the opportunity ahead of me, and will incorporate all I’ve learned and experienced into this new career, which I list as my final accomplishment.
What can you take away from this?
I think we can all agree that a job seekers ‘final destination’ is gaining new employment. FUNemployed or unemployed, finding work is necessary at some point. The path I took to gain employment is completely different than the next persons. When I lost my job in March, I felt my career had zero direction and I was completely lost. Each of the experiences and accomplishments listed above brought me closer to understanding the person I am, the potential I have, and the career I want/need to be happy. I was lost, and to find myself I needed to let go. Now, I’m not going to make you let go, but if you can afford to ease up on your grip, well then you just might find yourself.
If you could be FUNemployed for an extended period of time what would want to accomplish? Are you satisfied with your path?
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Comments
11.13.09
I think that this is an awesome concept actually - to let go to kind of discover whatever it is that you want. I am at a similar transition point, and have been using blogging to lead myself through the process. I really like the idea of meeting people through this blog universe.. and I am particularly excited about the fact that all of us really want to get to know each other to help each other out.
Congrats on all the recent success. My FUNemployment would be to secure a grant to do work overseas. Hopefully it'll happen.
Great post!
11.13.09
Hi Beth - thanks for the comment.
blogging has been a great experience. It's a great channel for expression and self discovery. Good luck, and instead of hoping, just try your best to make it happen once you are sure its what you need.
11.13.09
You've made it really count, Rich. That's totally admirable, and I'm sure it'll really serve you in the future!
11.13.09
Mehnaz, howdy bud! Thanks! I'm hoping that all I've done will improve my place in my career and life!
Thank you for the comment!
11.13.09
FUNemployed - interesting concept! It sounds better than UNemployed. It's that great attitude that helped you become REemployed. Glad you had FUN while you were unemployed. Other job-seekers like myself would do well to keep in mind that we still have to find a way to have FUN during our unemployment situation and that just maybe, it will help us find ourselves and gain employment.
11.13.09
Hi Benita, thanks for that FUN play on words. I enjoyed it.
Yes, staying calm, in control, and relaxed is key. My situation was different than others and I could take some time to enjoy life. Others may not be so lucky.
11.13.09
Great post. Thanks. I think it's very important to choose our path wisely. It's too easy to get sucked into an industry, company or role that just isn't right for you. Of course making a living is important. But so is holding onto your soul.
Good luck!
11.13.09
Hi Adam - thanks for the comment. Holding onto your soul is a great way to describe it. I just needed to wait till I knew it was the right time, and right opportunity. Some people don't have that option.
11.14.09
Sounds like a great idea, but if you have a serious chronic medical condition that requires expensive meds and ongoing care, all this gets flushed down the toilet.
11.14.09
Thanks for the comment Jrandom. Yes, like I mentioned in the post, what I was able to do was not the path that everyone can take. Along with chronic medical conditions, people may have commitments to other people that restrict what they can do, but it's important to note that FUNemployment is really an attitude. See the best in the situation, and do whatever you can to improve yourself.
Whether it's going to Brazil for 2 weeks, or reading 1 book a week, each person should do something that makes them a better person while unemployed. I imagine that someone with chronic medical conditions that loses their jobs till still have time on their hands like someone else would. It's an attitude. For those that need work right away, well the path they choose will be much different than mine, and that's more than OK.
11.15.09
"Whether it's going to Brazil for 2 weeks, or reading 1 book a week, each person should do something that makes them a better person while unemployed. I imagine that someone with chronic medical conditions that loses their jobs till still have time on their hands like someone else would."
Trips to Brazil tend to be out of the question, when you're facing foreclosure, loss of your car, and the $250,000 necessary to continue treating stage 3 cancer, like my cousin. When continuing treatment means life or death, it's not really funemployment any more, no matter what your attitude is.
11.15.09
JRandom - I imagine that someone like your cousin is focusing more on their treatment than work and when they lose their job hopefully they receive unemployment benefits to help pay for COBRA. Also, you must realize that I obviously wrote my post for the 95% of people out there who are very lucky to not be in your cousins position.
Like I've stated a few times already, my path was what I needed. ME. Not you, your cousin, Fred from the grocery store, or my neighbor. This was the path that worked for me, and it was what I needed. In myy replies and also in the post, I stated that everyone takes a different path. Your cousin obviously won't take the path that I took, and I'm not suggesting he does. But 95% of people out there SHOULD focus on a positive attitude. If someone that is seriously ill is working and loses their job, sure things may be tough, but hopefully unemployment benefits are there to help pay for the benefits they were already receiving. If things are that serious, I'd imagine they could not work anyway.
I truly wish your cousin the best, but you must understand that I've already made it clear that I believe everyone takes a different path that is right for them once they lose their job. Don't get what I've said twisted, please. I've made it clear that what I did was different than what someone else needs to do. This worked for me, and it will work for many, but it won't work for all. Your cousin can't go to Brazil, I get that. But if he was working 40 hours a week and lost his/her job, than there is definitely extra time there. If he/she was healthy enough to be working, well I'd suggest there would be some extra time.
Thanks for your comments.
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