If you are reading this, you are most likely one of the most unemployable people you know.
You also tend to be your favorite subject, and, though you hate to admit it, you fancy yourself at least a bit superior to the next fellow. You are just cynical enough to doubt most things that are said (especially by those in authority or the media), but inside of you is a little idealist that is screaming for air.
How do I know this about you?…Well, that’s my self-description…and a terrible attempt at being clever.
This, however, is also true:
- You believe in giving expecting nothing in return.
- You believe that you have much more to learn about your purpose in this life.
- You value honesty and authenticity over correctness and messaging.
- You probably went through a “Cure” phase at some point…even if it lasted for just one song.
It is my hope that you enjoy and find helpful my arrangement of 26 characters, 10 numbers and a handful of punctuation…that is as sincere as my writing can get.
- Jeremy Nulik, CEO (Creative Energy Officer),St. Louis Small Business Monthly
I am the most unemployable person I know. Awesome insight!
Welcome to the club, Laurie. There is plenty of room for membership. One day we will all get together…but we probably would have a hard time deciding on a place and time. Plus, anyone who would organize our gathering would then be in some place of authority and we wouldn’t listen anyway.
Hi Jeremy,
I just found your sight and had a good time reading through the links to the other ones. What fun.. and also your wife writes so eloquently about faith and daily awakenings! It’s great. I’m a professor of International Business teaching marketing this semester here at a Christian university in Korea. I’m going to refer some students to your site if you don’t mind as an example of a good business blog. I’ve had them keep up blogs as a team this semester as one of their projects… if you’re interested in looking over them, they are all linked to each other: http://hgutimes.blogspot.com or http://manitou-BS.blogspot.com. Please to read you on the web,
This is hilarious! Great site!!!
By the way, I lived in St. Louis for 4 years while working on my PhD, and LOVED the city! I miss afternoon Cardinals games followed by a beer at Al Hrabosky’s and some custard from Ted Drew’s.
Jeremy,
Great post, man. First off, let me start by saying I’m technologically impaired. This is my first blog entry -EVER! I’m looking for a little advise. When you said you were the most unemployable person you know, I think I am the epitomy of that statement. My wife and I joke that I have held over 23 different jobs since we were married only 4 years ago. Wow. Now with that having been said, I made the decision to see a doc about this and I’m on ADHD meds. Working okay so far I guess, but didn’t keep me from getting laid off last week from job #24. Something over the years has struck me as funny. Of all the jobs I’ve ever held, there’s only one that I’ve ever been good at. I mean damn good at. I worked for a local DJ company for over 11 years in high school and through college. I left to start my own owner/operated DJ business. But something is becoming clearer by the day. I’m one of the best wedding DJs in the region, but I’m a crappy business man. I’d love to make the DJ thing a full-time business that will support my family of 5, but I don’t really know anybody to talk to about how I can make this a reality. Business is at a standstill for the moment, and I’m tired of the daily grind of filling out apps for companies and jobs I really could care less about to be honest with you. DJing is what I want to do. I just need to get a handle on how to run the business side of the operation. I would welcome any comments or references you may have. Until then, keep up the good work and I wish you the best of success in your business.
Mark –
Thanks for the honest comment. I enjoy hearing others who sound a lot like me. I would say that you should ask yourself several questions…none of these have right answers and can only be answered by you. Be as open and honest with yourself as you are capable.
1. Is my being unemployable really mean that I have some kind of entrepreneurial quality or am I just sometimes difficult to employ for other reasons? For me, I think that I had both. I have a drive to create and build and increase business acumen, but, at the same time, the honest truth is that there is still plenty wrong with Jeremy about which much must be done. Just because I am disorganized does not mean that I am a creative genius. I have much to work and strive to achieve.
2. What is it that you are looking for? Contentment? Fulfillment? Money? Affection from the wife? Everything? You have to be clear about what is important to you. The pressures of having more than just one person can make those priorities shift, but your dream must be real. Make your end goal for your business and personal life as detailed as you can. Visualize this and make it a part of your reality.
3. What are you afraid of? It is something. If you had no fears, then you would already have made it. You are on a path to self discovery. The fear could be as simple as “I might fail at being a DJ, so I don’t want to risk that.” Many times, what happens to me is I prepare myself for any possible outcome (success or failure) when the truth is, I will only have to face one of them. I have been afraid to succeed at times in my life for fear that would bring on higher expectations. Understanding and admitting to these fears is crucial to the next question.
4. What are you doing to overcome or work around the fear and face life on life’s terms? No one will hand you a working business. Even if the government showed up at your front door and said, “Mark, here’s 1 million dollars…start a kick-ass DJ business.” It would not solve your problem. You have to increase your understanding of business principles as well as an understanding of who and what you are.
5. Where should I start? Places to start are the local SBA, SCORE, business networking groups. You can get to know others in your area that are doing what you are doing. Let them hire you for free. Be creative…this is your life and your endeavor. You will be plagued by moments of crushing self-doubt by yourself and by others who have fears as well. But, if you are hungry, then you will still seek to grow…and if you are truly seeking, then the right answers will come.
At least, that has been my experience. All we can do is make a beginning on this journey. Happy journey to you.