As a full-time freelance consultant, my ability to put food on the table has largely revolved around my ability to manipulate clients and employers into choosing me over others. The word “manipulate” is typically loaded with negative connotations.
Let me make it clear. I do not engage in misconduct in my professional capacity. I manipulate by withholding. I limit my accessibility for only a moment, to turn a client’s (or employer’s) decision from rational to impulse.
Warning: Never sell something (including your services) to somebody if they will regret the purchase. Buyer’s remorse will come back to bite you on the ass.
Within all of us is the potential to experience life as an adventure, or as a series of unfortunate events that lead to our eventual and unavoidable death.
Like yours, my life is tough. I worked hard for so many years, and sometimes with bosses that had more testicles than brain-cells. I’ve had stressful times as a husband, as a father and as a son. My life is tough, but I enjoy it. I enjoy it, because I know that there is always something I can extract and laugh about.
I wanted to detail what a sense of humor means to me, and how I’ve used it to cope with difficult situations in my life. More importantly, I want you to truly appreciate how lucky you are if you are a humorous person. The ability to smile during times of stress is a gift that not only improves your experience of life, but also energizes those around you.
Where have I been the past few months? Let me tell you…
I am now the proud father of a tiny baby girl named Isabella (pictured). She is so beautiful that I am going to hire a bodyguard to keep the boys away when she reaches her teen years.
She has consumed my heart and much of the time I had available for writing.
To preface this post, I will be the first to admit to the over-glorification of children by parents. I remember in excruciating detail when a co-worker had explained the wonder that is “parenthood”.
I frequently frustrate my friends and family over discussions of “security“. Throughout my life, I have been the recipient of advice that includes:
What if your business doesn’t work out? You won’t be able to re-enter the working market that easily.
House prices are going up everyday. If you miss out, you won’t be able to afford a place to live in the future.
Rent prices are crazy. People are auctioning to get into rented apartments and homes. Without a regular full-time salary, there is no way you will be considered for tenancy.
How are you going to support your kids?
Subscribe to RSS Feed