Manifesting
Designing an ideal day and life
I didn’t even know what manifesting meant a few years ago, but when I read that you should try to craft* out your ideal day and try to get it out there, I didn’t even know where to start. But then I’ve got it.
*I don’t use the word “craft” for real.
Here is the life I am trying to build:
Occasional performer
To see myself as a listed performer on someone’s stand-up show and develop an ongoing relationship with them where I can appear on their shows on occasion. This to me would satisfy that urge for me. I loved doing open mics and my comedy classes but I just can’t do them on a regular basis. It’s not sustainable for me. But every once in awhile would be amazing, and a step up from just doing open mics.
I can see the promo image. Someone at the top, then my headshot below saying I was opening for them.
To think I was even putting this out there would have blown my mind. I originally took a comedy class in 2023 just to fail at something, and it’s gone pretty well all six times I’ve done it, and I thank the people who were with me in the classes and the audience who told me that they hope that I keep going. I’m sorry it’s taken me this long to communicate the parameters in which I can sustainably do so, but better late than never.
A random person in Key West, FL, at the Comedy Key West. Here is a photo of me outside of there:
My teacher from one of my classes, Ian Abramson.
My teacher from one of my classes, Tyler Fowler.
Several of my classmates from my favorite class I took, the first one at Second City in 2023.
Workshop presenter/speaker
I got a lot of joy from speaking to groups and knowing it’s helping someone in the crowd. I am SO much better when I am teed or queued up to speak. I may look like I’m confident and comfortable, but until one person says that it is helping them, I stand there completely insecure. That’s part of the reason why I ended up writing a book…the ideal situation is that people start booking me BECAUSE OF my book because they know what they are getting and then I feel like myself to start with and anything I add from there is just straight value to them…related…
I have never gotten paid for a straight speaking engagement but I love sitting on panels or advisory groups.
Writer
Within the last year I have rediscovered how much I enjoy writing. It’s worth it when someone says “I liked that.” It happens enough where I want to keep posting, on LinkedIn, Substack, and put a book out into the world. When someone I don’t know likes something or comments on something, even better. That’s probably an imposter thing more than anything because I get this tendency to say “oh of course that person liked it they know me” which makes no sense whatsoever under more than eight seconds of scrutiny.
Career Adviser
I love finding things in people and bringing them out. I think that the best example is when my newest assistant principal told me that she had imposter syndrome. Say no more! I’ve got you! The things that I have done in my career would have beyond the wildest imagination of my 24-year old self…even though they had nothing to do at all with what my 24-year old self was going for. And my current self still has a tendency to brush off any amounts of “success” and adjust quickly to the next room. It’s a real issue, but one that sets me up nicely to help other people get to the next step of whatever they want to do. I can do so very well in the field of education but I think that the skillset transcends that…I just haven’t figured out what that looks like exactly where I can monetize it.
School/district administrator
The daily and weekly grind of being in charge of a school or district is not a long-term sustainable thing, but I still very much enjoy the job. The most fun part about it is that it combines so many different skillsets into one, and every day is a chance to practice something else.
If there was a way to just flush out my favorite parts of the job and choose when and where to do it that would be ideal.
Creating efficient schedules
Cutting through red tape/making things more efficient
Removing barriers and friction
Helping students
Solving problems
Applying decision science
There is plenty about the job that drives me crazy but there is currently nothing else that I could do with my time to provide a living that could replace it.
Helping businesses
Several of the skills that have allowed me to have a 10-year career as a school administrator have already shown up as ones that transcend education. My wife has owned a dental practice since 2019 and I consider myself her utility player:
Tech support
Making spreadsheets
Cutting through red tape
Making calls about reducing bills
Analyzing numbers
Strategizing
I enjoy doing all of those things and would love to help other businesses with it…but that has to fall into my lap, I have little to no interest in trying to sell my services. Promotion is not my thing.
The entire idea of self-employment made no sense to me until a friend explained it. Have enough of a base where you can choose work that you wish to do that fits your lifestyle. It’s mind blowing to consider, but would allow for things that I just like to do fill my days:
Travel with my wife, kids, family, friends
Play lots of pickle ball. Some retired people I play with play 6 days a week. That sounds amazing.
Make sure I had time to exercise every day
Visit socially with friends
Enjoy time at home