It’s time to go my own way and do my own thing

Following my departure from my previous position, I questioned my future. Should I apply for new jobs? If so, what industry? What position? What location? I considered all options and rushed to apply to jobs across all of these answers.

Then I had a chat with my therapist: “Parker, let’s be honest. You’ve never really been a ‘company’ guy.”

That hit me pretty hard. She was right. Wherever I had been, I had questioned authority, felt hampered by bureaucracy and frustrated by slow decision making.

“This is a time for you to really think about what you want to do.”

I thought. A lot.

And I came to a decision: I’m going to work for me. I’m going to do my own thing. I didn’t know entirely what it was that I would do, but through various conversations with friends, mentors, advisers, coaches and therapists, they all agreed. “Parker, you should do your own thing.” I decided that’s what I was going to do.

From the moment I made that decision, I have been energized each morning. I can’t wait to get my kids to school so I can get back home to work on these various projects. I haven’t felt this way before. The prospect of creating my own brand, company, image, business…my own future…has been exhilarating, and the energy hasn’t stopped (at least yet).

So, what will I do?

A lot, actually, and to anyone who knows me, that shouldn’t be a surprise.

First, I’m going to start coaching. I’m going to put my ability to develop deep connections with people to use and help people become better versions of themselves. I’m currently assessing various life coaching certifications and plan to enroll in Clifton’s Strengths coach certification as well as an executive leadership coaching program. I’m going to start this soon and begin to develop a client base.

Second, I’m going to continue teaching. Since 2016, I’ve been a leadership and professional development instructor, first at the CIA where I taught week-long basic leadership courses to GS-8 through GS-12 employees and other shorter seminars to the Partnership for Public Service where I taught a six-month leadership development program for GS-7 through GS-11 employees. Overall, I've taught more than 400 (or more) federal employees skills to become better versions of themselves.

Third, I’m going to provide marketing contract and consulting work. My experience as a marketer and marketing team lead has yielded very strong results: 5x growth in email subscribers, 2x growth in social media followers, revenue generation, digital ad conversion and more. I am excited to put that to work on a case-by-case basis for clients.

Fourth, I’m going to live stream on Twitch. While this may sound strange for a 38-year-old millenial, in fact, this has already begun, and I’m excited to say that I’ve already reached the minimum threshold for Twitch affiliate status, which means I can begin to monetize my content starting next month.

Fifth, I’m going to continue working on my next book and make more music. While these may not be lucrative business opportunities (they almost certainly will cost me more than I will make from them), they are things that bring me joy. And who knows? Maybe one day my books will go viral.

Yes, this sounds like a lot. And it is, but it’s also just how I do things. And again, this shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone.

It’s my opportunity to create, work a schedule that works for me and my family, and generate something that can sustain me through the future. It’s something that my family and I can look back on and say “Wow, he did his own thing, his way, and he made it work.”

And I will make it work because that’s just what I do. All in. Get after it. Everything sideways.

If you read this and can think of ways for us to work together, I would be happy to chat. Reach out any time.

Let’s go!