Well it is quarter past four on Monday morning, 26th October 2020. I’m in Hamilton with Claire’s parents, wide awake, decided to come downstairs to work on the computer with a brew as I could not sleep.
Bracklinn Falls above Callander.
So, yesterday was a good day that involved a family walk with Claire and her parents around Bracklinn Falls, which are stunning, with part of the walk giving a great view of the mighty Stuc a Chronin (a Munro we’ve run up before.) It was a bit wet, well Scottish moist as I like to call it, but all were happy, especially when having food, wine, and brews in Minty the Campervan whilst looking at the hills.
Now I find myself wide awake, and I’ve been so since 3am, but I am relaxed and happy; chilled in fact. It is not the first, nor will it be the last time. I often wake up in the early hours and potter down to the kitchen for a brew, a read, a think. I learnt to do this a long while ago rather than rolling about in bed restless and worrying at not sleeping. I am able to get away with the lack of sleep, and have a suspicion this nocturnal part of me was grown out of living in a pub in Macclesfield for 20 years. I’ll probably drift back to bed and put some music on from Insight Timer by way of relaxing. Or will stay up. What will happen will happen.
What will happen will happen
This neatly brings me to my thoughts at this early hour listening to Radio 1’s Chill Mix on iPlayer. It’s okay, but more dance than ambient, which I prefer, so going to use Spotify to create me a radio play list around Radiohead, and here’s to hoping its not friggin’ depressing. (It wasn’t.)
Recruitment, job, role, employment, career, work and so this list goes on. It is about putting bread on the table, not worrying, and being able to have a good time, so I suppose pretty fundamental for most people. It’s also part of my business, head hunting, so worthy of some grey matter being allocated to it.
Found Us is ticking along nicely in the current environment, which to be frank is the equivalent of being Donald Trump’s hair stylist; a tall order. Many businesses are finding it tough as are individuals. I realise this from my own situation, talking to people, talking to business people. I must admit to having given a lot of advice over recent times to the best of my ability and experience.
My thoughts for people, those recruiting and those seeking to be hired, are below. It’s a bit of a brain dump, not in order and may help, and if so great. Feel free to drop me a message if you want a natter without having an invoice shoved under your nose. I presently have time to chat to people.
INTERLUDE: The Boss (the wife) came down and made me go to bed.
Back at it and it is 8.40am, about to have coffee and listening to Radio 6.
Jobs are out there as the economy has to roll on, and some companies are Covid robust. It is a question of realising this and not giving up hope, or becoming reliant on your current employer, furlough, or a redundancy payment - this is dangerous territory and can encourage boredom, loneliness, fatigue, sadness, and becoming stymied.
I notice that people struggle. They have in one sense become institutionalised in their career and are afraid to change to the point of financial pain, even where necessity dictates this. MONEY is still the same colour, the same thing, no matter how you earn it. So don’t be afraid to get a job of any kind. Why?
Well for starters you earn money, you have routine, you have company, you have self esteem, and worry dissipates. This is important to mental and physical well being.
I remember at one point in my life being a security guard in Boots in Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester, and at times chasing people around the gardens. For me when I look back it was a life making experience, not just monetary. with some hilarious moments.
There is light at the end of the tunnel. There are jobs in this this top 10 economy even if you cannot get the role you want in advertising.
And you can always head back into advertising and have a story to tell, one of initiative and resourcefulness, and probably some funny and sad stories.
You also have to look at yourself in the mirror and if you are on a high horse as to money, status, title, role, then GET off that high horse. You are fellow human being like all and sundry and need to be humble and be thankful for what you have; there are people out there in much worse situations. If you chase the aforementioned in the current climate you will reach a dead end, as you have to adapt. The “Glory Days” are over - have a listen to song and read the lyrics.
Now is about helping people and in return you’ll be helped back. It may not happen immediately, but life has its own way of saying thanks. I am not religious, but I do believe in Karma.
Try not to worry or panic. What will happen will happen. The recruitment market is in flux as people are loathe to move from roles, and there has been a decrease in some roles. You can expend a lot of time ruminating over factors you have no control over.
So, take control of those things that you can. You can search for roles, people, different industries, look at you financial budgeting for example.
We have to bear in mind that Covid is not just going to disappear and improvement is likely not to be seen until well into 2021, we have a hard fought US election in two weeks, Christmas, and the elephant in the room called Brexit. Remember, these are factors that are macro and out of your control, so let them roll on, and focus on your macro - and this also includes your mental well being and time for yourself, your family.
Do get out of the house, do go for walks, exercise, or take a coffee in town and walk there. Change physically will engender change mentally.
Lastly, wave the white flag if struggling, ask for help. Don’t be British and hide it away with a façade. Being honest wins you friends, help, and respect.
Some photos of a walk yesterday around Bracklinn Falls above Callander in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park - I really hope it encourages people to get out.
