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Andreas D.'s avatar

From one revently laid-off overthinker to another: I enjoyed your train of thoughts. Thank you for sharing!

All of the constant thinking is the main reason I stay away from exlusive self-employment. I want to start my own thing, but with my 9-5 safety net underneath my feet. I guess this is the most my strained brain can take right now.

Anyway, wishing you the best and hope your stream of orders stays solid.

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Chris Cocuzzo's avatar

The challenge for me is, ok, I do 9-5. And then side gig, when, 8-11? Before 9?

Some people are great at using those hours. My morning is filled with fitness and prepping for the day. And then at night I fall asleep so fast!

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Andreas D.'s avatar

Add children to the equation, and you get a perfect storm. 😁

My rough daily schedule:

8:00 am - 8:30 am: Bring my daughter to kindergarden

8:30 am - 4:45 pm: Main job. I use short breaks to exercise (some calistenics)

5 pm - 9:30 pm: Dinner, playtime with my kids, getting them to sleep (yes, it actually takes that long to get ours to sleep. Somtimes longer)

09:30 pm - 10:30 pm: Substack time

10:30 pm - 11:30 pm: Dishes + getting ready to sleep.

And repeat thw whole thing. But well, we still have the weekend. 😁

Not a very healthy daily schedule, I know. But I guess that's quite normal with two little kids. As they grow, I will regain some more time.

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Chris Cocuzzo's avatar

Whatever works for you is best. I am on the other side.

5am: Gym

6:30-7:30 am: Clean up, prep

7:30-8:30 am: Work/write/productivity time

8:30 am: daughter to school

5:15-8:30 pm: start on dinner, kid time, dinner, kids to bed

9 pm: like a zombie on the couch or probably falling asleep to TV

So that space in between is where I get consulting work done. Not a huge amount of time (or brain power) for me to do side project stuff at night. Morning is pretty well locked in at this point.

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Andreas D.'s avatar

True, really depends on the person. I was never really productive in the mornings, so I shift more stuff into the evening or night.

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Chris Cocuzzo's avatar

Makes sense!

Have always been a morning guy. When I was ages 25-35 (roughly) I was working much later on average.

These days it's possible but I just don't have that same motivation to burn the midnight oil instead of getting enough sleep to stick to my morning work out.

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Jen Phillips April's avatar

Sounds like you’re off to a great start Chris. I also started my own business after a layoff but also made a career transition and it was a rocky beginning.

The consulting life can be super rewarding and not the least for the flexibility you have. Enjoy your kids while they’re little. You’re in a great space.

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Chris Cocuzzo's avatar

Thanks for those kind words!

The weirdest feeling is where I feel like someone thinks I'm making the wrong decision if I tell them I am going to chase consulting rather than take a full time job!

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Jen Phillips April's avatar

You’re taking to employed folks. Consulting is a different mindset.

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Chris Cocuzzo's avatar

Totally. I've heard so many people say "it's going to be hard" but I've never done anything that rewarding that was ... easy?

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Jen Phillips April's avatar

Oh it’s hard. It’s the biggest personal development course you’ll ever take I once heard a coach say.

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