Nuttin' Up

Huge disappointment today, as I didn't land a job where I was a finalist. So what do I do?

Nut up.

"Nut up" is a term used by some of us that basically means, "OK, you're disappointed, but get back out there and continue taking your hacks." And that's exactly what's going to happen. Yes, it sucks. No doubt about it. It stings even more, and it's going to sting even worse the next couple of days. But you know what? The world outside of my own disappointment hasn't changed one iota since I got the news that I finished 2nd for a great job. Business is still being done, the economy continues to struggle, and my little girl's potty training continues with the same constancy here on day-5 as it did on day-1. NOTHING HAS CHANGED EXCEPT MY EMOTIONS!! And, part of being an adult is putting one's emotions aside or at least balancing them with one's intellect. And that's why I relish being an adult.

But that's not to deny the disappointment, and some feelings of discouragement. Trust me, they're there. But I won't allow them to override the greater reality of what took place: I am still in the batter's box, and in the game of life, it's not like baseball where it's "3-strikes and you're out". I get as many hacks as I want as long as I draw breath. But I have to stay in the box to do that.

Which brings me to more reality that makes it easier to "nut up": I didn't strike out: I more or less "flew out". I interviewed, and I was told I didn't do anything wrong in my interview-- I just didn't have history with a major player involved that the other guy did. Nothing wrong with that. It's a reality in the world of business. But in this crappy economy, earning an interview is a success in and of itself--I know a lot of folks out there who would kill to get an interview--not to mention getting flown in and put up for two nights like I was. So you won't find me bitching about that at all, and I better now hear you bitch about it either.

Yes, I'm going to hear a lot of, "Well, Vince, you have a real good attitude about all this!", and "Hang in there". The first one I welcome. The second one? I don't. I HATE that. I hate hearing, "Hang in there", more than almost anything meant to be soothing--because it implies that one need pity. Trust me, I'm far from pitiful. Again, I interviewed and finished 2nd. That's all. Life goes on. There are other gigs. And there are other professions. It's just a job, folks. And I refuse to be defined by what I do for a living--or what I'm not doing for a living right now. I'm the same guy I was before I was invited to pack up my stuff and leave my previous job--I haven't changed. But some folks out there have changed since I was let go--and that'd be their problem, not mine. This is also a part of choosing to "nut up".

I don't take this lightly, and it's not something to brag about. Choosing to "nut up" is just that--a choice. And choice is the more noble part of our humanity (the other side being, "I make mistakes--I'm only human.") . We're different from every other being on the planet by our ability to make choices, and then choosing to exercise it. I refuse to over-think it. Stay in the box and get ready to take another hack.

I'm ready!