Last week I quit my job.
What follows isn’t an inspirational story where I impress you with something I’m about to do. Or tell you “how I’m finna” like plenty others will and never deliver. I didn’t quit my job because I’m taking a leap of faith to launch my own venture. I didn’t leave because I had another position lined up. I’m actually home as we speak looking at jobs I will be crafting cover letters and sending my resume out for.
I’m a worker. That’s what I am right now. One day I may became a boss, but I’m not at that point yet. I know myself. But you know what I’m not? A slave. So whether I have a $100.00 in my bank account or $10,000, I know that despite how bad it could possibly get, I will survive. And I’ll survive because I have before. And that’s just what it is. I’m a hustler, and what I saw at the company I was working for was another group of hustlers trying to hustle me. And this wasn’t a rash decision because I felt I was being taken advantage of, this was months in the making. It was building up for a while and I carefully thought about this choice.
I left my company because for 16 months I felt like LeBron James on the Cleveland Cavaliers. I never had the necessary help to run a website of that magnitude. And while the Cavaliers made free agent signings and trades to help LeBron, I never received any help at all. So imagine being somewhere where your company says they don’t have a dime to sign a free agent. Or if they did, they didn’t have the money to sign a big-time free agent but someone like Eric Snow. Does that feel like help? If you know anything about basketball, you probably wouldn’t think so. And after a while, I realized that the company I worked for was only concerned with having one of the best records in the regular season, but never winning the title.
But despite all this, I accomplished a whole hell of a lot. So let me get my Ric Flair on for the 30 seconds it may take you to read the next paragraph.
In July 2010, I took this site that averaged 380,000 unique visitors a month and in a year and a half increased it to a 938,000 monthly average. I helped it crack a million unique visitors. I went to the White House numerous times and built a relationship with them. I ran the site with co-workers who weren’t necessarily interested in grammar, punctuation, or journalism as a whole. I worked 7 days a week for 80 percent of my time there. Every month I was at that company the website had its highest month ever. For the 3 years the site was open before me, none of their monthly numbers ever matched mine.
Ric Flair style rant over.
And while I admit I still had room to grow, my growth was stunted because I had the duties of both a junior editor and senior editor for 16 months, and never had the time to build on my own writing or focus on any of the things I do outside of work for myself and my community.
So I left my job for numerous reasons but mostly because I didn’t have the necessary resources to battle the job now — and most definitely not with the 2012 elections coming up; where I would see double the work with individuals with half the dedication. That’s not a winning combination.
And now I enter uncertain times.
I know the job market has improved, but by how much? Will I be unemployed for weeks, months, or even a year? Who knows. But what I do know is that when I left that office last week I felt free. When I woke up the next day, I felt free. When I woke up this morning, I felt free. And that won’t change because uncertainty isn’t always a bad thing, it can be good.
Every person at least once in their life has a stand up for yourself moment. Whether its being bullied in school or being taken advantage of at work. Last week, I had my moment and I’m proud of it.
This is going to sound like I won an Emmy or something, but I want to thank my parents, sister, whole family, girlfriend, and friends for supporting my decision and providing me with the support I need to arm myself with during the coming months. Without you guys and gals having my back and understanding where I was coming from, I’d probably still be in that desk miserable like the rest of my former co-workers still are.
I no longer am.
So I turn my back and walk away as I say goodbye to Quicken Loans Arena and live with my “decision.”
I’m taking my talents elsewhere and things are already looking up (I landed both a freelance gig and a consultant position yesterday).
Nos vemos…
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29 responses right now ↓
1 Karen C. // Nov 30, 2011 at 12:27 pm
*Round of applause* You’re an incredible man with many talents to offer, and I can see nothing but greatness in your future. I’m proud of you for standing up for yourself and not settling for less.
Thanks for writing this. It’s not always easy to put your personal life on display, but it really is an inspiration. The sky is the limit.
I <3 you
2 Kiley // Nov 30, 2011 at 12:31 pm
Crazy, bro!
Before I even read this:
“I know that despite how bad it could possibly get, I will survive. And I’ll survive because I have before. ”
It was going through my head.
Claudio will survive.
3 Goddess Intellect // Nov 30, 2011 at 12:34 pm
My dear you have not a thing to worry about..you will be snatched up by a more compatible employer in no time.
And yes this story is inspirational despite what you think how many of us can say we put our star players first despite circumstance and popular opinion???……..*crickets*
As always looking fwd to future posts & updates…peace.
4 JoAna // Nov 30, 2011 at 12:36 pm
Claudio!
I’m happy for you! We had a conversation related to this the other day, and I believe in you and know you’re destined for greatness. Thanks for doing what others wish they could. You’re an inspiration.
xo
5 admin // Nov 30, 2011 at 12:39 pm
Kiley -
I appreciate you continuing to read and support brother. Your words mean a lot bro.
6 admin // Nov 30, 2011 at 12:43 pm
Telisha -
Aww thanks. I really appreciate your support and the words T. You know I love you girl and you have served as an inspiration to me for a long time. Thank you.
7 paola (la caballota) // Nov 30, 2011 at 12:48 pm
“pitaste” aka stand up for yourself moment…
“todo tiene su final” ~Hevtor Lavoe
8 admin // Nov 30, 2011 at 12:48 pm
JoAna -
You are absolutely right. We were speaking about this a few days ago. I really appreciate you reading, listening to me the other day, and the support. We have to link up soon
9 admin // Nov 30, 2011 at 12:50 pm
Lol. I love you Paola. Thanks for reading and the support.
10 Master_Rob80 // Nov 30, 2011 at 1:07 pm
You are what we call “un bolsu”. Most people don’t have the courage to say “I’m out” or just basically can’t take the risk of doing something like this but sometimes in life one step back means 3 steps forward, Hopefully like LeBron you can sign a 6 year multi million dollar deal…lol …on that note when you become the editor in chief of the NY Times or USA Today I just want to a write a small sports column..peace love and good luck with all future endeavors …
11 Justin B. // Nov 30, 2011 at 1:10 pm
Claudio,
I never thought you were going to do it, but you were true to your word. Who would have thought that we would both leave on the same day!?
You are correct about the feeling of freedom you have when you can wake up and not have to go to work at that place.
They had brainwashed us a bit. They made us feel as if the economy was so bad out there that we couldn’t find any other better job. (And while that may be true for a few there), as educated, well-spoken black men, our opportunities are limitless.
So good luck with your future. Lets always remember that having the best record in the “regular season” means nothing! Being the number 1 black site means nothing when that translates into “you’re the 10,000th best site on the internet.”
Stay focused and Godspeed,
Justin B.
12 admin // Nov 30, 2011 at 1:10 pm
Lol. Thanks a lot Rob. I really appreciate the support, etc. A 6 year multi million dollar deal seems far-fetched, but stranger things have happened. Your words are much appreciated.
13 Carla // Nov 30, 2011 at 1:16 pm
It should go without saying that I believe in you and KNOW that you are going on to bigger and better things. Felicitaciones amigo!
14 admin // Nov 30, 2011 at 1:18 pm
Thanks a lot Carla. I really appreciate you reading and the support.
15 Tasha // Nov 30, 2011 at 1:21 pm
My friend thank you! I’ve been culminating a plan of action on how to Live Life Out Loud and on Purpose – So thank you for giving me an example. Those you don’t feel inspired by your actions, be encouraged by your words that may move someone else. Stay Blessed !
16 admin // Nov 30, 2011 at 1:24 pm
Thanks a lot Tasha. Means a lot.
17 admin // Nov 30, 2011 at 1:32 pm
Justin -
Crazy how our exits occurred on the same day, huh? We both left for a reason and we’ll see much bigger and better in our future than the place we left. There are plenty of opportunities out there and we will succeed. Thank you for reading and for the support Justin. If you ever need to talk, etc., you know I’m here.
Take care
18 Zaida // Nov 30, 2011 at 1:48 pm
Great, so now you have time to do this, but better. Team #Above96. Also, I might be for hire after the holiday. JUST SAYIN’ http://bit.ly/uiAVbb
19 admin // Nov 30, 2011 at 2:13 pm
Haha thanks Zaida. I may be able to do just that. Gonna take some time to see what I end up doing. But thank you for the support, etc.
20 BIG CED // Nov 30, 2011 at 11:08 pm
You should have left MONTHS ago! You know I know how that company operates and you know, I know the feeling of being free, although my path was different, it was still on the same road. You know if you need me, I’m there. I’m already looking forward to 2012, after my self-imposed ‘sabbatical’. Let’s get it!!!
21 admin // Nov 30, 2011 at 11:17 pm
Lol. You were right Ced, you were right.
22 Yadira // Nov 30, 2011 at 11:28 pm
I’m so proud of you, you make me want to be courageous and take risks. You’re going to be just fine sibling.
23 admin // Nov 30, 2011 at 11:37 pm
Thanks a lot beautiful sister of mine. I really appreciate the support and belief in me. Love you millions.
24 CP // Dec 1, 2011 at 4:25 pm
Congratulations. You’ve learned something that it tales others a lifetime to learn. Your passion and intelligence will lead you in the right in the right direction. Suerte. ¡Pa’lante, siempre, pa’lante.
25 admin // Dec 1, 2011 at 7:18 pm
Thanks CP. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do girl
26 Esco // Dec 14, 2011 at 12:39 pm
Claudio,
well said sir…well said.
27 Meg // Dec 14, 2011 at 1:39 pm
You have no idea how much this inspired me. Thank you so much, and I wish you the best of luck.
28 admin // Dec 14, 2011 at 1:43 pm
Thank you so much Meg. I never meant to serve as inspiration for anyone, but I’m glad I was able to. I appreciate you and thanks
29 admin // Dec 14, 2011 at 1:43 pm
Thanks bro.
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