Friends, I have great news.
I was fired in June.
Of course, it didn't feel great at the time.
I'd just finished prepping for the week and hopped into a 1:1 excited to attack the last month of Q2.
I achieved about 80% of my quota in May. (I can't tell you how good it feels to not even remember the exact number btw.)
I knew my runway was short, but I thought it was enough to stay alive another month or two.
Narrator: "It wasn't."
Btw, for any people managers reading this, don't jokingly tell someone who reports to you, "You're fired". It's not worth the awkward chuckle.
Sorry, I digress...
So why was getting canned so great?
I just wasn't the right fit for the gig. As much as I wanted to be *the guy*, I was simply *not* the guy.
I busted my ass, though. Followed all the sales gurus, stayed up late prepping for calls, and was online early. But I didn't bring in enough bacon often enough so I got the axe. (Would that make me the bacon?)
That first week was mentally very tough. I felt like a failure. Like I was unwanted, incapable, and worthless. Like I was actively letting my family down. And I spiraled all week.
Fortunately, I'd been warned (sorta). So I wasn't starting the job search from scratch at least.
Here's how June turned out to be the best month for me mentally in a long time:
~ Received a job offer the week after I was let go. (yay! I can feed my family!)
~ Decided I wouldn't start anything new until after July 4th weekend
~ Played 5 rounds of golf (in hindsight this feels low) and shot my personal best. An 85 on the flattest, easiest course within 100 miles of me. (After 12 holes, I was pacing toward an 82 but I choked at the end lol)
~ Took my daughter to school and picked her up most days in June (priceless)
~ Got a TON of yard work done and it's become both a hobby and my new favorite way to exercise
~ Went on a lovely mid-week brunch date with my wife (also priceless)
~ For the 4th, we flew to Hawaii and swam with 10-ft wide manta rays, sea turtles, eels, and Nemo lookalikes. We visited the town of Hilo where my FIL grew up and met his sisters for the first time (yep, priceless).
~ Agreed on a consulting deal with a former prospect this morning
As an AE, I noticed something funny. When I was excited to start a new week, I often ended the week feeling discouraged.
And if I felt discouraged or had the "Sunday Scaries" to start the week, it'd usually end up just fine or great.
Either way, it was a reminder that it's usually darkest before the dawn. And vice versa.
Looking for work can be lonely and every inch of a win helps (mentally, if not actually).
Thank you, Preston Rodman, Daniel Harry, and Stewart Kraintz for your help. Appreciate you guys a ton.
At some point, I'll share more about my job search and what I'm up to now so stay tuned.
I just wanted to share the update and that I'm happy. It may not last forever, but that's okay. I know I can always turn things around.
&E
