What’s left when things go wrong? 🌱
↩️UNFOLLOW University — April 7, 2023
Happy Friday,
What’s left when it all goes away?
In the aftermath of the Great Recession of 2008, my growing marketing agency flatlined. As clients went bankrupt and contracts got canceled, my American dream quickly became a nightmare.
I cashed out my 401(k), maxed out my credit cards and finally set a meeting with a retail client who would get me back on track. I used my last $500 to travel to Florida for the pitch presentation.
“God really answers prayers,” I said, as I boarded the flight for the meeting that would change everything.
Instead of a victory lap, the trip was a false start. One week later, the unthinkable happened. I was broke. Just 3 years into “following my dreams,” I sat devastated as they burned to the ground. I didn’t want to die. But I also didn’t see much reason for being alive.
As my worst-case scenario became reality, I did what any self-respecting entrepreneur would do. I logged off my laptop, got up from my desk, went to my bedroom and cried myself to sleep.
The thing about failure no one tells you is what to do the next day. I woke up the following morning knowing I was underwater without a way to get out. After one of the worst days of my life, God had the audacity to wake me up again. It was time to start over.
My girlfriend at the time offered a portion of her teacher’s salary to help keep my dream alive but my pride had to draw the line somewhere. So I assembled just enough courage to ask my father for the $1,278.25 I needed to make it 1 more month.
👨🏽💻 Weeks later, I got a call from a former boss about a social media job I was wholly unqualified for. I said yes.
💍 Months later, I proposed to that generous teacher at her elementary school. Alisha said yes. [click to witness what it’s like to have 50 first graders help you get hitched]
🚪 Years later, the people I met along the path to failure would open the very doors to every single opportunity I had since.
🪞 A decade later, the doubt, debt and depression that nearly cost me everything have become valuable lessons.
Pain is a powerful mirror if you’re willing to look.
🤯 Radical Truth
You can’t always choose your options but you always have a choice.
I assumed the word “aftermath” was a military term for hurtful conditions after harmful events. Aftermath is what happens after layoffs, divorces, storms, tragedies and accidents. Aftermath sucks.
But the word aftermath really means “after crop.” It refers to a second crop of grass after the first has been harvested, cut or taken away.
Aftermath is what grows next.
In my case, I asked my father for a loan, cobbled together some small projects and ended up finding new clients. This led to a new job that changed the direction of my entire life. My after-crop was my choice.
That wasn’t the last aftermath I’d ever face, and I’m confident there are many more in the future. But what a privilege it is to have a second chance to keep growing.
This Easter weekend is a fitting reminder that there is always a second seed after the first thing has been removed. Even when I can’t control the situation, I control the seeds I plant afterward.
⚡️Courageous Question
What remains? Where is the second seed you may have ignored?
🗣 Wonderful Words
“God will allow you to remain in the wilderness as long as you need to in order to teach you exactly what you need. Trust Him.”
🙏🏽 Prayer Package
God, sometimes the darkness of doubt is louder than the light of truth. When pain makes it hard to see your plan, help me remember you are a compassionate Father, not a controlling boss. You keep your promises even when I don’t. Thank you for second chances. Amen.
🎵 Because of You - Tamia
🛠 Practical Tool
Driving at night can be four times deadlier than daytime because of decreased visibility and increased driver error. Leading change during uncertainty can be just as treacherous, especially if you're unprepared or overdependent on familiar tools.
In this “oldie but goodie” podcast episode, Leading in the Dark, Daryl and I offer stories, learnings and failures from the frontlines of budget cuts, bankruptcy & layoffs and other crises that can make or break a business.
How do you build a high-trust team in times of low visibility? Are there really proven principles we can use to navigate unproven times? We think so. Sometimes the 3 most powerful words are "I need help."
Last Saturday, our family spent the morning at our church doing yard work, landscaping and tree removal. The aftermath has left me bruised but the place looks great. 😬
If you’re in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and looking for a group of folks to spend Easter with, come check us out: The Well Church Keller. Here’s your personal invitation.
Thanks for the sharing, support and encouragement! You can learn more about my story here or check out my previous posts.
See you next UNFOLLOW Friday!
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Every Friday I’ll send you 5 courageous ideas to help you redesign your work life by making better career decisions:
🤯 Radical Truth - A story from me
⚡️ Courageous Question - A challenge for you
🗣 Wonderful Words - A quote worth remembering
🙏🏽 Prayer Package - A moment of meditation
🛠 Practical Tool - An actionable resource
