Observations From Two Years In The Wild

It's been nigh on two years since I made the leap from 20 years in corporate world to making a living for myself with little more than my MacBook Pro, what I know and who I know. It's been simultaneously challenging and exhilarating, but I'm fortunate in that it has grown into something bigger and filled with more possibility than I had imagined all those months ago. 

A number of people have asked me during that time for advice on making their own leap, and I'd started to put down some thoughts about things I'd learned along the way that I thought might be helpful. But, if I'm honest, I found it really hard.

That's not because I'm short on observations about two years in the wild. I had wanted to talk about how the experience has stretched me (in a good way - I've learned more in the last couple of years than I did in my last five as an employee), how important it has been for me to be continuously adapting what I know and do, and about how it's all about momentum. I'd wanted to talk about how important it is to value your network, and your time, to value people who support you, to learn when to say no. I'd wanted to talk about the importance of working on projects with awesome people, to work hard and be nice to people. All these things have been vital to me.

But there is lots of good advice out there already, and I'm sure that everyone's experience will be different. So somehow, it just wasn't coming together. And as we move into a new year, one that quite possibly will bring even more challenge and change for all of us than the last one, I wanted instead to emphasise one thing that I think is more critical than ever, and will be important for me in the coming year: to create some space.

By that I mean space to think, space to slow down, space to create, space to look, space to experiment, space to play, space to create new ideas, things, connections. I think it's very easy to be head-down, focused on the here and now, the next deadline, the urgent job. Those things are important, but when we are disciplined about leaving some room, amazing things can happen. Things which we really cherish. Things which build for the future. Things that we'll always remember. I'm not big on New Years resolutions but if I had to select one, that is it.

Comments

[Holycow]

Really good observations about 'taking time' Neil. I hope that you get the time to do just that - takes a lot of discipline.

Good luck in 2012,

best

Mark

[neilperkin]

Thanks Mark. And all the best to you and yours for a great 2012

[Dan Weingrod]

Thanks Neil - seems to be quite a few who are making similar resolutions - http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/01/resolved-in-2012-to-enjoy-the-view-without-help-from-an-iphone/?ref=technology

In the midst of the whirlwind of changes around us its good to be reminded to slow down, appreciate and think in silence.

Happy New Year

[neilperkin]

Thanks Dan - Happy New Year to you as well.

[Willem van der Horst]

Happy New Year Neil!

I highly recommend anything you can do to take time for yourself and your family - as well as all and any memorable experiences. I've had a fantastic 2011 taking a lot of time for myself, even surprised myself with the amount of time I could enjoy doing nothing - just watching life go by, sometimes observing other people in various countries.

I'm loving it so much I'm not stopping, more travels for me this year. I'll keep in touch when I swing by London next, probably February; I hope to see you then

Have fun!

[neilperkin]

Hi WIllem - Happy New Year to you too. Thanks for that - yes, do drop me a note when you're next in town - it'd be great to catch up :-)