Roasted

I was laid off last week. There were hints and signs (a trickle of small layoffs in the department), but it still hit like a gut punch.

You may know the feeling.
The unsolicited calendar invite from your boss's boss.
The cagey non-answer when you ask what it's about.
Then the stomach drop when your fears are confirmed.

I could barely pay attention in the meeting. They asked if I had questions. How could I? I didn’t even know this was coming. And nothing I said would change their mind. The decision was made, and this was just a courtesy call.

“No need to set an alarm tomorrow,” they said.

It turns out they’ve been laying people off in groups of three for a few weeks. My number came up. At least I got let go face-to-face, unlike those 30,000 people at Oracle who woke up to a blanket firing memo simply signed by “The Management.”

This isn’t my first rodeo. That same day I was fired, I began pulling together everything I needed to update my resume and portfolio. And the next morning, I was up at the usual time, starting my new full-time job of finding a full-time job.

When the only way is forward, you put your boots on and walk.

If you know anyone looking for a writer, editor, or instructional designer, send them to toddsinclair.info.

You'd think unemployment would free up all kinds of time for the book. This week? Not so much. See above.

The first week was rough. But I'm over the hump. Resume updated, website refreshed, portfolio and LinkedIn squared away.

I should have the time and headspace to get back to editing now.

Thanks to everyone who responded to the poll.

Results were pretty evenly split. You all want:

Basically what you're already getting.

There were two clear losers. Nobody voted for cute animal pictures or guest writers.

Interesting. A lot of newsletter-building advice specifically recommends both of those as popular with audiences. It goes to show what generic advice is worth.

I'll stay the course with what you expect from The Writing Shift. No cat pictures, and no guest writers.

No essay this time. I promise you one in the next issue. I’ve got a draft I’ve been slow-roasting over the coals for a few weeks. It should be ready soon.