The Layoff Diaries #4: Overcoming Decision Paralysis and Overwhelm

Why I needed to create a framework for doing things in the first place

This essay is part of a larger, longer series: The Layoff Diaries. I’m writing about my experiences after my third, and hopefully final, layoff. I’m capturing the hard stuff and the fun stuff, giving you an inside look at what life has been like.

I share true feelings. Sometimes, I name names. For that reason, this is a paid series.

---

I recently shared my Four Things Framework, which walks you through how to take control of your time and increase productivity by completely lowering your personal bar.

It’s an essay meant to help you create an actionable plan, but there were several factors that led me to needing that framework in the first place.

This is that story. It’s also an honest look at how the Framework, which sounds great in theory, is actually working out for me in practice.

---

During the first week of my layoff, I gave myself permission to not be productive and not do more while the dust settled. No pressure to look at LinkedIn unless I wanted to, no need to update my resume right away, and allowing myself to follow my instincts of what I wanted to do. My first week was spent at the gym, the beach, and up in Beacon, NY. The weekend was just as busy and disconnected, with a day trip to Connecticut and Father’s Day on Sunday.

Those five days felt very much like I was waking up from a bit of a coma, struggling to find my footing but enjoying myself nonetheless. I talk about that more in The Layoff Diaries #2.

That first Sunday, I was exhausted but hopeful for the week ahead. I thought Monday would bring New Week Energy,¹ and regardless of whether I jumped into job searching right away, spent some time writing, or tackled a few cleaning projects that were important for me to take care of, I was begging for the new week to bring me the endless energy I was expecting so that I could do more.

This may come as a surprise, dear reader, but I was not greeted with a surge of inspiration and motivation come the start of a new week. I did not, in fact, want to do more.