What To Do When You Don’t Know What To Do?

I know it’s been a while since I last wrote anything.  Quite frankly I didn’t expect the sudden turn of events to happen… just about two weeks ago.

Although you often hear the “such is life,” “life is that way,” “life’s a bitch…”  typical responses to such unexpected turn of events, I don’t care to remind you of what you’ve already heard.

Without going into some hugely personal writing and possibly scaring away those who subscribed to my blog to just get insightful thoughts/ideas for your business, you can read more about that in my last blog entitled, “What To Do If You’re In A Toxic Environment.”

So basically here is the deal.

My small business and I live in Seattle, Washington now (Capitol Hill to be exact). Actually ever since last week – officially.  What originally was going to be a visit with my girlfriend Kelly (because I had originally booked a round trip ticket), two days before I left… I had turned into a one way ticket with no other way of going back.

Originally planning to stay and check out Seattle to see if I liked it, I had six days to find a place or be on the street here.  That was it.  There was no other alternative and honestly… somehow and somewhere the initial nervousness I was feeling, wound up turning into a calm confidence that covered a lot of that initial crap I felt.

So where am I going with all of this?  Basically, I thought I would share some unconventional insights I learned throughout this crazy experience, to help you through what to do when you don’t know what to do.

1 – Being prepared instead of scared crapless.

As many people may or may not know… I planned on visiting some family for a few weeks to save up before the move to Seattle.  Since my small business and I already moved out of California, this seemed to make the most sense.

Already having about 3-6 months of expenses saved up… I was initially planning on saving up just a bit more (because I know some of that money would be needed for a deposit for a new place), but I couldn’t control what was going out of control.

I prepared as much as I could for what was to come, and you should certainly do the same.

2 – Find ALL the alternatives and work them through (just incase).

When my girlfriend and I originally booked the hotel we stayed at, we originally booked it for just a few days (not thinking we would mostly use it to find me a place to live).

When I thought of the alternatives, I thought I could get maybe one or two days more to allow any apartment complexes to do credit checks and all…  but I didn’t want to spend another few hundred bucks just to give myself more time – however, that was still an option (the only thing was, I would have no one to help).

The only other option was to find a place, sign a lease and move in on the sixth day and I called and called and called places UNTIL I found the place that I thought would work best for me and my particular situation.

3 – Find someone to lean on.

When I started doing this, it was weird.  I did the same exact thing before (just pick up and move across country about 2 or 3 other times).  The only thing is, I didn’t have anyone there that was there by my side to do what I needed to do.

Having someone like I had, (although they might not be there physically making calls or helping with your search)… was so much easier than not having someone around.

4 – Ask and feel around.

People go to “their creator” “their best friend” “their guidance”… whatever you might call it – to ask for help.  I’ve honestly never had as many “bad” things turn around as much as they have this time around because I kept asking for help AND when I FELT the answer that I needed was there… I acted on it.

So wherever you need to go for help, make sure to ask and FEEL your way around for the right answer.

Also keep in mind, “the answer” you’re looking for might be disguised as something completely different than you thought.

5 – Tell yourself to shut up!

It was Monday morning and knowing that I would be homeless the next day, if I didn’t get a place… was the worst thought that kept coming to mind.

And so, as I’m looking at places Monday some people would of said, “Hey Jared sign the lease you need a place to live and you just have to take what you can get and _________.”  I just couldn’t do it.

Knowing I would have to live there 6-12 months until my girlfriend finished paying off the rest of her credit card debt in California… I needed to find a place that I could see myself (and I just couldn’t settle).

6 – Don’t settle.  Ever!

So there you go.  That’s my shpeal and little inspirational thoughts for you and your biz (as I sip some green tea at my favorite cafe around the block from my new place).

I hope it helps.

Oh and one more thing… I’m not sure if you know this or not, but I auditioned to be on Oprah’s new network to host my own show. Honestly, I need as many votes as I can get by the month end – so to check out my video (done at a random hotel I was staying at in Fort Myers Florida) and vote and/or spread the word to get more people to vote and yada yada yada… you can do that here.

I know it’s not the best video, but under the circumstances it was the best I can do. With that said, I truly looking forward to helping more people like you around the globe and with your help, I believe I can do that – I just need about 1,000,000 more votes before the end of the month is up.  :)

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