A beginning has to come with a first step, so here we are. I need help.
I have in essence been semi-retired since COVID hit in March 2020. I had put my consulting practice on pause and was networking with former co-workers and clients to find a company to join.
For 20 years, I hung my shingle to work with large manufacturing companies in Customer Excellence, Marketing, and Strategic Planning. I personally conducted over 2,500 on-site, in-depth interviews with customer executives in over 25 countries in the Americas, Europe, and Asia Pacific. My work included over 15,000 telephone surveys with client customers around the world in 18 languages. I launched an advertising agency for five years to serve as the outourced marketing partner for a few clients.
Consulting is always an arms-length relationship with a leadership team and a company. I missed speed and pace. I missed execution. I missed failing quickly. I missed moving from conclusions to next steps.
I am blessed with a life partner who defines unconditional love and support. Honey is the mother of three amazing young men. She is the least weird person I know, although she has plenty of quirky interests. She wants me to be fulfilled, striving, achieving. Very few women would stay with me through these last two years of struggle.
For COVID 2020, I paused my networking and job search. For 2021 and 2020, I devolved into an unhealthy form of me. I was retired without the means to be there. I’ve been unemployed without pursuit. I spend my days and weekends running a youth soccer club that I founded in 2008. We fought through the very difficult times of COVID and shutdown. I allowed my time and energies to be consumed inefficiently. My daily productivity remains poor.
I am faced with many, mostly self-inflicted hurdles to find my next path. Clicking Apply to LinkedIn job postings has yielded initial interviews that I can count on one hand. I am a self-labeled poor networker, so I don’t reach out to those who can and would help. That is one of the main reasons I’ve launched this place, to encourage me to spark my inquisitiveness to learn from those I admire and their friends.
I build in self-destructive behaviors.
And my Christian faith has been a struggle. The part of me that defined me has drifted to a frustrating cynicism falling squarely on me. I have ignored my God of Grace.
I am going to be the best version of me again, and it starts with starting. This Prelude to a Preface is the hidden soft launch. This will be a 100-Day Journey, February 1-May 9. My goal will be to bring in revenue in February and March while I explore where my new career will land. I can make a big impact and want to find people who will challenge me, appreciate me, and support me.
You can play a part in Craig’s Journey. Becoming a Suscriber will allow you to encourage me with your likes and your comments. Becoming a Paid Subscriber will give you teeth in the game.
My hope is that this will also help others who are struggling with where to go next. You can do this by Sharing this post and this place with your friends and colleagues.
A first step starts with intention and movement, so here we are.
A Prelude to the Preface
Brand new to substack but enjoying following along. The comeback trail seems to be a theme that repeats all throughout life I am learning. Proud of you for sharing. Cheering you on!