8 April 2024 – What’s the plan?!

I wish things were different. I love my life but things have suddenly shifted beyond what was considered “normal” for us.

In January, after seven years at a company and 30+ years in the industry, I was laid off from my corporate job. It’s tech, so not a shock. But for over 30 years, I’ve been able to avoid every RIF (Reduction in Force) and layoff at every company I’ve worked for. The biggest gut shot was the proverbial monkey wrench thrown into our plans.

They offered a great severance package and payed for our COBRA insurance for three additional months which gave me enough time to regroup and find another job…or so I thought.

“No worries. With all of these companies I’ve been doing business with and my time in the field, it shouldn’t take any time for me to start working again.” Again, so much for best laid plans.

The plan was simple, we had gotten to a place where we could sink money into all of our bills and get them paid down. Then pour money into savings so we could buy a house and land. More specifically, buy the house we were renting because the owner finally wanted to sell it (that’s a whole other story).

The severance was used to pay off loans and credit card debt – so that part was on track. And I started filling out applications. I’m thankful for websites like LinkedIn and Indeed because it made that part easier. Based on professional recommendations, I also now have three separate resumes, depending on job desired – architect/consultant (pre-sales engineer), product marketing manager, and emergency manager. Application upon application upon…well, you get the picture.

The worst part about filling out applications, is the second step, interview or “thanks but no thanks”. I had already developed thick skin which is beneficial as no one should have to be rejected that many times. If I was a shadow of my old self, I would have crawled into several liquor bottles and been so angry at the world. Angry enough to lose my sh*t. Angry enough to become violent again. That thick skin came at a cost of almost losing my entire family and life. But my wife…I couldn’t have wanted a better life partner. She’s talked me off the ledge on more than one occasion and keeps me grounded in all things.

“But, isn’t that what your relationship with God supposed to do”?

Great question and I wish there was a cut and dry answer other than, “You would think but no”. I’ll save that story for another day.

So now I’ve taken a full-time position as an EMT/Security Officer at the local hospital. I’m also a contracted field technician for a loss prevention company. This is all on top of being spurred to get my own business, ISWS LLC, back on track. Reviews, classes, and affiliate marketing is the focus with a big portion of it being classes and partnerships with other companies like OnScene Alert (30% off with code ISURVIVALIST), Wazoo, and Mask Tactical.

It’s a new adventure for sure. I’ll embrace the suck yet again. But the plan is definitely not what I expected.