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Had a meeting with a coworker yesterday who was honest and vulnerable. He said (and I paraphrase): "We're just here talking all day into glowing rectangles about really abstract stuff that doesn't matter that much while the world is on fire"
And honestly he's right. I'm someone who treats my work like a mission — I want to evangelize a strong, strategic writing practice across Adobe's product landscape — but dang, it feels decreasingly important.
I'm having trouble connecting it to something important — by working through all this, I'm taking care of myself and my family and generating income, sure. But also... how am I doing good in the world right now by keeping on keeping on?
(I recognize this is a SUUUUPER privileged question to ask. People are dying. People are homeless. And I'm sitting around in my soft pants while I'm gainfully employed asking these questions out loud to my above-average Twitter followers)
I'm afraid that's it... that's the tweet. I'd love to know how, if you're like me and in a "knowledge worker" situation where you can easily work from home, you're keeping motivated and focused.
Thank you for all your advice and words of encouragement, friends. I know I'm not alone, but sometimes we just need confirmation of that, you know?
Here's a way I think I can more directly help:
Here's a way I think I can more directly help:
Inspired by the consulting office hours offered by my friends @mattmay, @scottkubie and others, I'd love to offer some of my time to help those who need some UX writing/content design/content strategy career advice or portfolio review.
So starting next Friday until — I dunno, through May — I want to offer a couple opportunities for people who are unemployed and looking for work in this field (or for those who are in it, looking for advice) to chat. Check it out: http://andy.wtf/office-hours
A few things. I won't turn anyone away, but if this fills up I want to give priority to:
- unemployed people over employed people
- women and non-binary people and/or people of color
I hope you understand. Our industry needs folks with all kinds of experience and perspectives.
- unemployed people over employed people
- women and non-binary people and/or people of color
I hope you understand. Our industry needs folks with all kinds of experience and perspectives.
This isn't usually the kind of thing I do, but whenever I have face-to-face coffees and chats with people new to the field, it's energizing for me, and (I hope) helpful for them.
(and, of course, putting this in the world makes me feel better, because it feels like I'm helping.)
(and, of course, putting this in the world makes me feel better, because it feels like I'm helping.)
Holy WOW, we filled that up quick! 14 slots booked in a matter of 12-ish hours.
Just opened a few more slots from now until the end of May.
Just opened a few more slots from now until the end of May.
