As I explained, last Friday I got laid off. Committed to bouncing right back, first thing Monday morning I decided to take my garage and convert it into an office, where I can work to start up my own company. I was determined to let the layoff be a catalytic moment in my life freeing me to pursue my dreams. But I needed a good, dad’s-not-really-here place to work (I’ve got 6 kids under 12).
So, fortunately for me, we have a wonderful, separate and detached two-car garage. That’s perfect, because it means I actually “leave for work” (small commute), and am out-of-sight out-of-mind, at least for our littlest ones.
But, that left me with quite the project. I don’t have any TRUE “before” pictures, which is too bad, because that would have shown the true contrast of what I started with. But even so, this shows what it looked like after I’d cleaned up all the clutter, stacked everything on some shelves, blew and swept out all the leaves and dirt, and even mopped the floor.
Making the most of what you have - the garage
Making the most of what you have - garage continued
Fortunately, we had some old furniture, an old rug that I dusted all off, some card tables, and even an unused 48″ HD TV (it’s “broken” in that the picture is dramatically tinted green). I’d long since retired my books to my garage, since they were less welcome inside, so I figured they’d make for a nice, natural backdrop to an office.
Looking to make it appear a bit more “homey”, I wanted to soften up the card table look, so I ran down to Wal-Mart and bought some cheap blankets to drape over the tables. I also got a lamp shade for an old (but beautiful) lamp my grandfather once made for me.
Making the most of what you have - blankets to soften the look
I dug up some old, unused pictures and hung them on the wall, fixed up the old lamp, and viola… an office!
Making the most of what you have - my new office 4
Making the most of what you have - my new office 5
Making the most of what you have - my new office 3
As you can see in the back, I’ve got a little coat rack, it does get awful cold (there’s snow on the ground outside today), with only a little space heater, I usually keep my jacket and ski cap on. That’s kinda cool I think, I’m one of the elite few who can wear a ski-cap at work! Plus, I’ve always liked it to be colder than most people.
The bottom line, is that you’ve got to work with the cards you have. When you look around you with the right attitude, you’ll find all kinds of opportunities to create something extraordinary out of something very ordinary. It’s all in your outlook.
From one of my favorite poems called Keep-a-goin’ (read here):
‘Taint no use to sit and whine, if the fish aint on your line
bait your hook and keep a-tryin
Keep-a-goin
So no matter what life has dealt to you, look around, take stock of what you’ve got, and make something out of it. Life is simply about making the most of what you have. As you approach life with that attitude, suddenly you’ll find the world a little less gloomy, and a lot more rewarding.
Rusty
p.s. for a video tour, check this out, LOL
Related posts: It is what you make of it | Life Sculptor | The Builders | Keep a-goin
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilvWsr2IDWc
About Rusty Lindquist
Rusty,
Your optimism never fails to amaze me. This year has thrown several punches at you and your family and you always jump up and hit back that much harder. We love you and are praying for you in the new opportunities that await you. Let us know if you need anything.
Shelley
I am VERY impressed with your new office! (You put that together so quickly!)
There’s simply far too much evidence of the Lord’s hand in this for me to not be optimistic. Think about this… I worked for a company that built real estate software. Real estate was the hardest hit sector in the economic downturn. But I lasted there for just the perfect amount of time…
1. We got all our health issues cleared up. Alex’ two week stay in the hospital. I had 3 sleep studies, a septoplasty and turbinate reduction surgery, followed by a uvulopaletopharyngoplasty and partial midline glossectomy surgery to cure my sleep apnea. The recovery for the latter surgery was 4 weeks, which was, to the day, the exact day I was laid off. In other words, I got all my expensive sleep surgeries done, and recovered while fully insured with a great job. I had just recovered, which means that now I have full energy to pursue my dreams.
2. The startup plans I have in mind I’ve been wanting to pursue for years, but particularly this last year it has really, really been eating at me. Interestingly, just the week prior to being laid off, I was working with my neighbor on his roof when he asked how my work was going. I had expressed that it was fine (little did I know), but that I actually wouldn’t mind leaving and starting my own thing, but I just couldn’t bring myself to make that decision and take that risk. Suddenly, almost exactly one week later, the decision is made for me, leaving me completely free (and highly motivated) to pursue my dreams.
3. The other problem with trying to start your own gig are the startup costs. One is hardware… my boss let me keep my computer, and the tools that I’d used, which meant that I had no hard startup costs for equipment to start my own thing. He also gave me a great severance, which will easily last 5 months. If I’d have quit to start my own thing, I’d have had to get a business loan, for nearly the exact amount that I was given as severance. In other words, the money I needed, as well as the time I needed, was just handed to me. There’s nothing tremendously out of the ordinary about a vice president who has worked for a company for 8 years getting a good severance package, but the timing of everything puts it beyond coincidence in my mind.
There are actually numerous other details that would require far more context than you have interest, so I’ll spare you the saga. Needless to say, I’ve truly acknowledged the Lords hand in all this, and for that, I am grateful. It’s rare that you can face adversity with a clear perspective as to the blessing it so typically disguises. But in all honesty, I can actually say that when I left my office that Friday after being let go, my predominant thought was relief (that the decision was made for me), and enthusiasm for the opportunity to pursue my dreams. So clear was the path to me, that before I even got home, I pulled over into a parking lot, and thanked the Lord in prayer for blessing me with such a marvelous transitional setup.
In short, I truly believe what this post was about (even though I spoke only specifically about turning an ugly garage into a workable office), it applies on a much larger scale. Rather than sulking around, worrying about losing a job in this economy, I’m cognizant of the beautiful pieces of opportunities that surround me, and can’t wait to put them together into something real and meaningful.
It’s an incredibly exciting time for me. There are very few circumstances in life, if any, that can’t be turned into positive experiences that propel us forward in meaningful ways. Of this I am sure.
Rusty-
My family and I are praying for you and yours. Being…redirected…is hard. Your optimism is inspiring.
Take care-
This is all so amazing. It is so humbling to realize that the Lord is indeed mindful of each of us personally, and will guide us into great paths if we will just be in tune with the spirit. He even knocks us in the head sometimes to convince us. I’m excited to watch how this all unfolds! ;o)
Rusty
Your faith amazed me when you were a missionay in Sydney. Your faith and courage amazed me again this time. It’s true we have nothing to fear if we follow load’s path.
Keep-a-goin
Hi Rusty,
Brilliant thoughts! That’s life, full of opportunities! You’ve encouraged me a lot!
First I used to envy Lin Hao because I thought he had got too many opportunities. But later I was fine. I realized that opportunities are seized by ourselves. Moreover, when I began to think about butterfly effect, I complaint no more about life around me. Maybe a little change with my environment will change my life properly. But I quite love my present life. I’ve said that I wrote a sci-fi and is now working on the sequel. I got all my inspirations from my friends and life around me, and my fate (if there were such a thing). I believe I can be the second Jules Verne. I’m quite lucky! Am not I?
Good luck with your new job. Today’s sorrow is just the setting off of tomorrow’s happiness. Your great time is coming!
Keep a-goin!
With best wishes,
Your sincere reader in China,
Susan
Chris: Wow, thank you for your kind words. I’m so happy to hear from you.
Susan: I like your attitude, and couldn’t agree more. Great times are coming, but we must make them happen. Too often self doubt and despair can cloud our vision and prevent us from seeing the good things on the horizon that we can work towards and look forward to. Thanks for your comments.
Yes, I agree with you. Yet Jules Verne’s example always inspires me and gives me hope, and that’s why I persist writing my science fiction.
Next year I am going to Chicago in January to attend the Model United Nation. I’ll take my stand again on the stage towards hundreds of audiences. Hope it can help more.
Also, I’ll carry my book there and try to publish it in America. Hope it can be published successfully.
And thanks for your reply.
Yours sincerely,
Susan
Hey Rusty,
Looks like you’re on the right track! You’ve got all the things that matter. Awesome things will come your way.
Best of luck,
Zack
Rusty,
You are a true example of looking to the positive in ALL situations. The best part is that you are aware of the Lord’s blessings in your life. I wish you and your family success in this chapter of your life.
Take Care,
Ashley