Being unemployed is, well, a lot of work!

So, I’ve been slowly “getting used to” being unemployed. By that I mean that I am getting used to not having a set schedule (not that I really did before, since I often worked WAY more hours than normal) or anybody to answer to. My schedule is now more defined by emails to tons of people and networking, etc, and getting my oldest daughter to and from school. My secondary schedule consists of training rides and races, as well as interviews, conference calls, and trying to get some writing done (which has proven the toughest task so far). In a lot of ways, there are days when I feel a lot “busier” than being employed… the irony is rich, I know. 

I want to make sure that I say thanks to all who have offered words of encouragement. I am really still looking forward to where the future takes me- or how I shape my future. I have met with and/or spoken to some really great people and brands. I’m blessed to enjoy a world full of awesome connections and contacts, and thankfully a good reputation somehow… I guess “those pictures” have not surfaced yet! The Bicycle Industry® really is my home and the people in it- and around it- are my family… there really is nowhere else I’d prefer to be. 

“Life is all about options, not limitations”- I think those are the words I used to describe a multi-tasking bike in the Masi catalog one year. I’ve always believed those words, and now I find myself looking at a whole lot of options in front of me, many I hadn’t ever considered or hadn’t considered for this point in my life. It’s simultaneously exciting and frightening when I think about it all. I may very well have the chance- and the “clients” to make it feasible- to truly have my own consulting firm, assisting with product development and design, marketing, branding, and social media strategy. It could come together… and… even more unexpected is the potential chance to even create my own brand and line of bikes (just a few models at first). Yep… it’s a far off possibility and the one that scares me the most, but there is a chance… slim and frightening… but it’s there.

I kinda had to type those words for all to see, just so I could make sure I’m not in a bizarre dream. 

There is at least one firm thing happening soon, and I will share the details in the coming days. I’m super excited and even more thankful for being given this opportunity… and it’s going to be nothing but fun. It’s almost impossible to think of it as work. Once you know the details, you’ll see how it fits me so perfectly and why I’m so excited about it. It just needs to go ahead and get here already! It’s like being 5 years old at Christmas all over again. 

I have a writing assignment for the Active Times that I need to complete this week as well. Hopefully my editor won’t read this blog post and realize that I’m still not done yet… but I’m piecing my thoughts together… aka “about to get started”. 

Time for bed. I need my rest before doing my sprint training in the morning and then racing tomorrow night. And, frankly, I’m just plain tired. It’s actually an exciting time right now… sometimes I feel a bit nauseous, but it’s still pretty damn cool. 

Tim

(PS- if you have any idea what kind of bikes I should be planning to create, let me know!)