…I’m paraphrasing John Caples classic headline. I’d apologize if I thought this was inappropriate. I don’t. So no dice.
If you follow this blog (or, just scroll down to the prior entry), then you know I’m a person in transition. I’ve built a career in the human capital industry as a leading recruiter for both agencies and corporations.
Then I was let go.
Not a bad thing.
By any means.
I’ve found myself forced to examine exactly what my strengths are, as well as my weaknesses. What’s been interesting – to me, at least – is how easy it’s been to list the weaknesses as opposed to the strengths. I suspect this may come from a Catholic upbringing, but that’s more pop psychology than anything. Along the way, a number of great people (my long suffering wife, Jindrich Liska, William Tincup, etc) have kindly pointed out to me that, well, why the hell aren’t I writing for a living? I’ve managed to dodge answering this question for years. It’s time I answered it.
Fear.
Fear of failing at the one thing I was supposed to be “great” at (ie, if I can’t do it, then what can I do, etc). Fear of succeeding, and then having to succeed some more.
Courage.
I have a speech impediment. I talk incredibly fast, fight a stutter, and have a low voice. It’s a tough combo when it comes to verbal communication. It’s a horrific combo when it came to trying to meet women in bars during my single days. It was supposed to be an impossible combo when it came to a job like recruiting for an agency with a national client base: 100% talking. On the phone. All about the voice. Full commission. For some crazed reason back in my mid-20’s, I decided to confront my dragon of a handicap with the courage of St. George (or a drunk – you choose). I put aside going into writing, and wrestled with a demon that had haunted me since my youth.
Along the way, I shocked myself by succeeding. I also found myself married, with young children to support. Now I had an uber-excuse to justify not confronting my fear of failing as a writer: mouths to feed. A career that was working. Etc all. No need to look into that dark house anymore, it’s boarded up.
Thing is, it wasn’t. I kept prying boards off, and playing there. I took liberties with the traditional job description, and turned ZoomInfo’s into actual ads as opposed to bulleted lists of requirements. When Marketing needed copy written and asked for my help, I jumped at it. Hell, I volunteered. I wrote the summary to their API’s Terms of Use. While on vacation. Try making dry funny. I dare you.
Why am I telling you all of this, dear reader? Simple. I’m going for it. Time for a career change. I’ll likely do some recruiting on the side during the transition (or, go running back full time if that dark house winds up to be beyond repair). That said: I’ve just gotten my first contract as a freelance writer – creating content, designing and implementing strategies to deliver said content, etc. Things are afoot, and I’m into it.
Next steps are going to involve me creating a site to showcase my work. Getting some of those sweet free VistaPrint business cards. Marketing my services.
And writing. Honest to god, pen to paper (well, bits to screen, but you get the idea) writing. I’ll update here as I go along – learnings, rants, and general ramblings. If it works…. then my copy’s coming to getcha.






