The Hardest Thing

When you’re not sure what to do next, choose the hardest thing; it’s usually the right choice.

For the past few months, I have been focussing (or not focussing (see post on procrastination)) on the contract work.  As before, some of it is wireless engineering and some of it is SR&ED consulting.  Which means I haven’t been looking for a job.  Well, a few job opportunities came to me, and I pursued the interesting ones.  But really, I haven’t been looking for a job.  Or, to be perfectly honest:

I have been avoiding looking for a job.

The economy is improving, companies are hiring and building again, and the clean-tech sector is awash in government subsidies and positive public sentiment.  RIGHT NOW is probably the BEST TIME there will ever be for looking for a green job!  Does it make sense for me to keep my nose buried in short-term work which bears no relation to the future that I desire?  No!  So why have I been doing it?  To keep the money flowing in?  Because I like the hours?  (really, the hours are quite good!).  No, I have to admit to myself now, it’s because crappy contract work is less daunting than going after my dream job.

So I’m kicking myself in the ass and getting back to what I committed to do.  Going forward, I’m going to spend half my working hours on going after the career that I want.  That will mean reading industry news, finding and researching local companies that I (may) want to work for, reaching out and building a network of relationships with people in the business, and studying to build new expertise.

The other half of my time will still be spent on crappy contract work.  Gotta keep the money coming in.  ;-)