Hustle

I went into town on Monday as I had a few meetings. I played at corporate, sitting in vast meeting rooms on my own, enjoyed the subsidised lunch and the general smugness.

I also met with some folks at Innovate UK to explore opportunities to help startups on my programme – something that would never have happened if I was just ANOther Accelerator; the corporate name opens doors, even if it’s not even mine.

That’s interesting: I’m harnessing the power of the corporate without being held ransom by it!

Fired

This week I made a bold decision: I told a client I’ve been working with for the past four years that I think they should fire me. I really like them but I just don’t feel I’m adding the value I once was.

I’ve been ruminating on firing myself for weeks, as I hate the idea of being a blood-sucking consultant well passed his sell by date. But turning down income, am I mad?

Happily, the client was surprised – in other words I’d pre-empted him firing me. Even better, he agreed he would fire me as long as I could be available for projects – and he even came up with a few he wants us to work on together in the new year. In other words he hasn’t fired me, we’ve just reframed the relationship.

It was a boost to my confidence.

Variety

That same evening I had dinner with one of my friends who in the last week has not only sold me into his client for a workshop in January but also introduced me to a (minor) celebrity sports person who is just starting a new business. My friend teed me up to share my views on the brand they’re developing.

They’d actually done a great job already so I had feared my value would be pretty limited. Even worse would I be a doomy they just didn’t need?

Not at all. They valued my feedback and advice and want me to take on the work they’ve done and progress it. Who knows where it’ll go, but I really rate these people, so just the fact they want me involved is enough for now.

Open for work

Firing myself has created an opportunity to do something new in 2025.

For most of us, our next job will come from our networks, not from LinkedIn. I’ve asked ten people in mine if they would like to work with me again.

Cue the march headlong into the vulnerability - “Do you like me?”, “Did you think I was any good?

And “Do Not Pass Go” until you get a yes. And there hasn’t been a single yes.

But that’s not quite true:

• 1 said “Definitely - as soon as we have funding which could be before Christmas”.

• 3 sent my CV on to others with their personal endorsement - nice.

• 3 said “Give me time, I really want to work with you again”.

• 1 said “Sorry, I’m broke”.

• 1 said “I’d like to but marketing’s not a priority”.

• Only 1 hasn’t replied.

It's not a big surprise that my change in supply doesn’t neatly coincide with their immediate demand. But now they all know I’m available, if something comes up – for them, or for someone in their network.

Years after leaving a full-time job I dostill find all of this a bit discombobulating.

But I also like the hustle, setting off hares running and seeing which comes back first.

Not knowing quite how I’ll be filling my time by April. Outside the startup accelerator I run anyway (but that in its last year of the contract - eek!)

And there it is - the frisson of panic, masking itself as hustle.

The grass is just different.

But I still prefer it!

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I’m thinking of running Escapology Live again in the New Year once everyone’s back from work. It’s been terrific getting to know and help people who do not want to be in the same place this time next year - or who are planning what’s next or dealing with redundancy.

Here’s some of the testimonials from the last round if you’re thinking about it:

'Adam's Escapology Live course really helped me focus on what I wanted to achieve outside the corporate world and explore ways to avoid making the same mistakes. It's a structured model that takes you through the process step by step, and you get to know some great people on the way!'

and

“Adam's Corporate Escapology course truly transformed my perspective, giving me the insights and strategies I needed to break free from the corporate grind and pursue a more fulfilling career which is aligned with my personal values.”

It’s five weeks, probably starting Tuesday 21 January, max 8 people - and I’m going to make it £100. But if you sign up and pay before December 25, I’ll knock off £30.