02 Nov 10 Moving On

When I complained about the downturn in business, which has been going on for some time now, I got the usual comments about getting off my butt or on my bike and looking for other work.  Fair comment in a way. I don’t have much time for those who complain about their situation in life, but do nothing about it.

However, if it was just a question of getting off one’s butt, and searching in every increasing circles until you find a job, and that worked, then we’d have full employment – not around 10% of the country out of work. Of course it’s higher than that if you include those that are looking for work but don’t or can’t register for unemployment.

I have never been totally unemployed in my whole life, and I’m not quite now, but almost.  I’ve always had something, even if it was a minimum wage job, or something part time, and it’s been dwindling away, even after making efforts at self-promotion. Of course, as any small business owner knows, advertising is a cost to one’s business, before one gets any kind of income from it. When the income starts to dry up, so does one’s ability to advertise, even allowing for ‘free’ advertising channels such as some places online or perhaps some local outlets. I write ‘free’ because nothing is ever free. It still takes time, and that is time that you’re not actually earning money either in your own business or working for someone else. It’s not a complaint, it’s a fact, and a part of doing business!

I’ve never claimed welfare either. I’m quite pleased at myself for that. Rest assured though, if I had to, and I was eligible, I would, because the systems are in place for such claims, and anyway, I pay my taxes, partly to pay for such eventualities.

Anyway I did get off my butt, and I found work too. It’s just that it’s 7,000 miles away.  Bureaucratic procedures have meant frustrating delays, but they’re almost over now.  Not soon enough, because I want to go today, wanted to go yesterday, last week, indeed last month, once I had the plans in place.

Once I’ve done my research, made plans and the like, I want to put them into action right away. I don’t do tedium well, I get impatient in a waiting room or even in a long checkout line, so October has seems like a ten year long nightmare to me.

Soon I will swap desert for damp and sunshine for showers, which is perhaps a shame, but sunshine doesn’t pay one’s way in the world, and I’ve always been proud of being able to support myself.

Financially rich, never, but financially self-sufficient, yes.

Tags: butt, circles, doing business, downturn, earning money, free advertising, full employment, minimum wage job, own business, part time, self promotion, small business owner, unemployment, welfare, whole life