gregoryhickman.com

I recently came across a tweet from my good friend and old roommate @darrenorourk that caught my eye and hit home.  It read, “Meet the Funemployed: Young, Jobless and Living it up” followed by a link to this article.  So why did this hit home?  If you read my previous post, 6 Steps of Net-Working it, you might have realized I’m currently between jobs.  The article talks about our current recession and how it has left many unemployed,  yet it shows that there are many truly enjoying this period in their life and capitalizing on the free time. I, my friends am one of the funemployed and now trying to enjoy and progress during this paycation.  First, let me just clarify the definition of funemployment per the article:

A period of joblessness that you actually enjoy – maybe you get to lay out, sleep in, work out, read up.  It helps to have savings, severance, or an unemployment check to help pay the bills. We’re hearing this word used more and more, especially as people realize they may not be able to find a new job right away, so they might as well try to enjoy the time off.

I, myself am in no way lost as many would imagine.  This period of unemployment (only 3 months so far) has me learning more about myself and what I want next for not only my career but my life.  Thankfully, unemployment benefits don’t have me strapped for cash.  Yes, I need to watch my budget and watch it closely, not go to every concert, not buy every new part for my bike (like I wish I could do) or eat out as often but that’s the trade off.

When asked about my situation people are quick to apologize and say “I’m so sorry to hear”. Why this pity, I ask?  I don’t need it nor want it.  I immediately respond that I find this time to be a blessing in disguise.  In fact, in my head, I often say to myself that I know I’m probably happier than most of the people that have said these words to me.  So what have I been doing with myself?  Wow, where to start…

Well, for starters I am networking extremely hard as I mentioned in my most recent post.  Not only because it will most likely lead to a new job or business opportunity but it’s been great just meeting new people.  Meeting new people, hearing their story, their interests and passions inspires me.  It’s interesting and I find it to be a learning experience every time.

Other than networking, funemployment has given me a lot of “free” time to get out and put some miles on  my bikes.  I must say that I have been pretty strict in trying to keep a schedule so that if and when I get back into a possible 9-5, that I can maintain this level of riding.  So my rides either depart very early in the AM or around 4:30PM or so.   I’ve been extremely pleased with my consistency and get anywhere from 100-200 miles a week in, mixed between road and mountain.  My mountain bike racing with Team RMR is just starting to pick up and I’ll have many races for the rest of the season which I’m stoked for. Stay tuned for pics etc.

I’ve worked with one of my friends to update my personal logo in which I used on this site, my email signature, created a business card for networking opportunities and to make my resume a bit cleaner.  Here is where we ended with my logo including color palette.

I took this beautiful logo and have utilized it on this new blog that you’re reading right now.  I utilized a wordpress theme called “over easy” and modified it a bit to accommodate some of the things I wanted to include.  Hopefully you’re liking the look.  I’m still deciding if I like the orange copy headings.  Thoughts?

I’ve even been doing some consulting work for a few different people/companies.  From new business development to promotional design for a few local businesses.  With the consulting comes a website that covers my services which you can check out by visiting (HIGH ROAD) or entering www.choosehighroad.com in your browser.  The site is mostly done and there will be some tweaks here and there.

Finally, (because this post is already way too long) I’ve decided to really get after the dream of self-employment.  I’m working with a close friend to launch a mobile marketing company.  Since this is a pretty big deal for me I’m going to write more about this in a separate post.  Please continue to check me out here to learn about my entrepreneurial endeavors.

If you’re funemployed, how are you using your “free” time?  If you are not and wish you were what things would you like to do? For those wishing they had this time to achieve a life long dream…get after it!  Start planning now.  If you want it bad enough don’t wait for funemployment!