"After all is said and done, as a rule, more is said than done."

In May I was furloughed from a job I loved after 14 years of working my ass off. Most readers are aware I was Executive Director for New England for a national foundation founded by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1938 to find a cure for a virus no one understood completely, and that created massive fear in the country (sound familiar?)

I had previously served as a volunteer for that same foundation for about 20 years. My 34 year passion was abruptly ripped away by what some have called head scratching decision-making at levels above me.

I wish I had the time to be bitter and angry and to feel sorry for myself, but since my blood type is B-Positive (not kidding), I chose another path.

You know all that stuff I write about persistence and bouncing back and persistence? My good fortune is that I actually believe what I say. So, upon furlough, I immediately proceeded along two tracks: a) a very aggressive job-seeking effort, and b) an equally aggressive track to form my own consulting company that could turn into a new career.

As some of you might know or guess, searching for a position during a pandemic at an age when most prospective employers would ask 'why isn't he retiring?' was not easy, and I 'failed.'

That's right, more than 150 foolish organizations received a beautifully crafted resume from Edward J. Doherty and passed. Several interviewed me by Zoom before passing, but at the end of the day, they all passed. Fools!

While searching and working on plan B, I incorporated, established a web page (that I am moving so don't visit), arranged for accounting and tax services, volunteered for other organizations almost full time and sought the advice of dozens of people smarter than me, including many of you reading this right now.

And while I still haven't officially 'launched' my new business with a press release and brass band, I am excited to announce that I have my first two engagements, sometimes known as 'paid gigs' and last week Ambrose Landen LLC received its first check from a company that thought enough of my potential at my age to retain me to help expand their business. Of course I took a photo of the check to be mounted on the wall in my new corporate headquarters, also known as a corner of my bedroom.

Do I miss my previous job? I miss the people: the volunteers and staff. I miss changing the world, a little bit, but I'll have to settle for that as a volunteer for other worthwhile organizations.

But my new shingle is out, I am still working my ass off and still writing, and I really, really, really like my new boss.

There are three groups of people that will read this. 

If you don’t have an umbrella and need one, there are only three circumstances to obtain one. Each of these three situations has a significantly different impact and cost to you. The three situations are:

1)     You can buy an umbrella before it rains

2)    You can buy an umbrella while it is raining

3)     You can buy an umbrella after the rain has stopped.

If you buy an umbrella before it rains, you won’t wait in line, you’ll have the best selection or options, it might be on sale, and you will be dry when it rains. You will also be confident you are ready for the rain.

This option saves you money, keeps you dry and makes you feel good the same way finding change in a couch cushion does when you say ‘I was lucky.’ In this case, however, buying an umbrella before it rains meets the legal definition of ‘creating your own luck.’ Some patting yourself on the back is permitted when you are ready for rain.

Lots of variables here. If you buy an umbrella while it is raining, you might wait in line, but you might not have the best selection, plus you’d have been wet between the car and the store, or between your limo and the store if your driver isn’t authorized to spend the money. 

Oh, and you probably won’t get it on sale. Sure, you will be dry on your return trip as you look like a fool and open an umbrella under the overhang of a Walgreen’s. In this case, buying an umbrella during the rain is in the same category as ‘late for dinner.’

If you buy an umbrella after it has rained, you won’t wait in line, you might not have the best selection, you’d have been wet consistently during the rain, and you might or might not get it on sale.

You will have lost some confidence in your ability to think ahead, and if you walk into your home or work dripping wet, you will generate smirks, and we all want to avoid generating smirks from others.  Pick what they are thinking: Idiot, poor planner, lazy, cheap. None are flattering.

The very same act, with three totally different consequences in cost, time, convenience, impact on your beautifully styled hair, and impact on your confidence.

When people talk about ‘working smarter’ they are talking about 'buying umbrellas' before it rains.

The same act, but with three different consequences in time, cost and impact and personal confidence. If you are constantly buying umbrellas after it has rained or while it is raining, you can significantly lower your stress and reduce the time and cost of what you are doing, not to mention increase your confidence by making a little change in your buying habits.

How can you be sure that you are buying umbrellas before it rains? Rain rarely ‘sneaks up’ on anyone. Even animals, Indigenous populations that we used to call American Indians, and occasionally a television meteorologist know when rain is coming. Some New Englanders can 'smell rain on the way.'

In the same way, events, and due dates, rarely ‘sneak up’ on anyone: we generally know about them well in advance, or at least far enough in advance to be able to buy an umbrella before it starts raining.  

Is there anything that could sneak up on you?  Get that umbrella today.

Will you remember this story? Only every time it rains for the next six months, or at least the next time it rains. Or at least the next time it rains and you don't have an umbrella. 

If you have an umbrella the next time it happens, you will pat yourself on the back for your foresight and intelligence. If you buy an umbrella while it is raining, you will say to yourself, ‘oh sh*t, he was right.’ If you buy an umbrella after it rains, it probably won’t happen again, unless you have a habit of failing to learn from your mistakes.

The big secret to this story? Rain has nothing to do with ‘buying umbrellas’ it is only a metaphor.

Appearing in the Memphis Commercial-Appeal in 1989. It was a ten mile walk. Still have those t-shirts. Still a great cause.

Sign Up for the Wednesday Weblog