Comments on: Staying Awesome While You’re Unemployed

By: Shawn

Shawn — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 23:50:06 +0000

I haven’t been “employed” in so many years I forget what it’s like.
Still many people say I’m one of the most productive people they’ve known.
I still screw off, like right now! But I work from home, so I work all the time.
Work & hobby are the same, so exactly what is “time off”?
I never liked relying on employers, surprises like suddenly being laid off while really needing a check etc.
Working for really incompetent people sucks, but it’s the owners nephew so….
Being self employed, there really aren’t to many surprises because you never know what’s going to happen.
But, in the end I’m the one that makes all the decisions about everything.
I much prefer that to relying on someone else who may or may not be competent to decide.

By: Patricia C Vener

Patricia C Vener — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 22:40:08 +0000

These are all excellent advice for the self-employed, entrepreneurial person in any field. In my case, I have several areas of endeavor that need to be kept on target, but as long as I can feel that I am being somehow, in some way, effective or productive, that gives the impetus to continue.

By: allison cecil

allison cecil — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 04:19:26 +0000

Awesome advice! It completely agree that doing/making something everyday is so important.

By: erictherobot

erictherobot — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 02:32:22 +0000

great post Kelly! I hope to see more related posts like this until we’re all doing exactly what we want to be doing.

I especially related to the part about responding to craigslist ads. Also working for start-ups with no reciprocation, no exchange of any kind, when I should be putting my own skills to work and launching my own idea. If I have the skills and I give them to someone, there should be something in return, not always money, but something that would be a fair barter or exchange.

I’ve buried myself within start-ups and freelancing for undecided clients that has taught me a valuable lesson… when unemployed, a proper execution of time is crucial. I’ve learned this the hard way, by giving my time away, and now… not able to pay the rent and withdrawn from some start-ups and clients, I am frowning on the fact that it was all a waste of time. I should have been putting my skills and time to use on my own projects.

Also, if you can’t focus like myself, never freelance… sometimes one cookie is all you need, not the entire cookie jar. I’m turning 35 next month and feel less fortunate than when I was 21. It’s time to, like you said “take a good hard look at what you’re doing. Maybe you could be doing it better.” and rethink how I’m using my time, talent and vision.

Thanks for the inspiration and the kick in the pants. Please keep these coming, they’re helpful!

By: Dawn A.

Dawn A. — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 01:09:58 +0000

Thanks for this post Kelly. I REALLY needed to read it today.

By: sara girlscantell

sara girlscantell — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:50:50 +0000

as usual, i pretty much couldn’t agree more with every point you’ve made. the other secret good thing about doing / making something every day, even if you’re not on some payroll, is that then you have a good excuse as to why you can’t run annoying errands / do countless daytime favors for people who are too busy getting compensated for their time.