Highly Considered

Writing is a muscle, and while I happily watched it atrophy as I juggled immigrating, I’ve always felt like I wasn’t utilizing a gift.

Once, my father bought me a long-sleeved Slazenger shirt from China. Gifts can be great and tragic, and we’re grateful none the less.

My kids remind me. “You get what you get and you don’t get upset.” Sometimes I call my kids wankers under my breath.  

 So why start writing again now?

Well, I sit in a compromised position at the corner of Get Shit Done Street and Not Feed My Family Avenue. I’m having to somewhat reinvent myself in a country where I have as much network as I do knowledge about the history of the West Coast Eagles.

And, you know, I’m very happy for other people to make up a narrative about what’s happened - but being made redundant doesn’t exactly scream high performer.

I promise. I was high performing. I swear. I think.

The trouble with redundancy is the rollercoaster that you white-knuckle from that first call.

“Dale, I would like to have a conversation about your career, please let us know when you’re available today. HR will be joining us. Feel free to bring an emotional support colleague.”

I made the emotional support colleague bit up.

I was cool about it. (I wasn’t). I’m cool about it now. (I’m not).

So then, reinvention.

Why?

The redundancy writing on the was on the wall. I had started to hunt for a new role months before the wheels officially came off.

And I’d received many application responses.  

“Dear Dale,

Thank you for your application for the position of Head of Marketing.

We are pleased to have been able to consider you for this role. After careful consideration of your application, against the selection criteria for this position, I regret to advise that we are unable to take your application any further at this stage.

Should your skills, experience and qualifications match any advertised vacancies in the future, please do not hesitate to contact us or re-apply via our website.”

No one is pleased to consider someone for a role. Recruitment emails are written like hostage notes from the legal department.

SO WHY START WRITING NOW?

I’m not a great listener. Maybe corporate life finally noticed. I’m embarking on a couple of very cool projects and an audience would help. 

I’ve also got to think there are other middle-aged guys fighting family guilt, work stress, mental health issues, self-doubt and navigating change. My writing might resonate with them.

And honestly, really, writing helps me make sense of things.

How can you help?

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