#58: The Unemployment Diaries with Thomas Voigt
On three-pronged decision-making, creating your dream job, and the liberation of downsizing.
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The Unemployment Diaries with Thomas Voigt
If you’d like to be featured in The Unemployment Diaries in the future, email me at laidofflife@substack.com!
Meet Thomas Voigt, a solopreneur and revenue leader, helping CEOs gain more profit and align their values across their companies. I’m thrilled he agreed to share his Laid Off Life journey with us.
Hi, Thomas. Tell us your layoff story.
I was laid off in late 2023 when entertainment companies such as Meta and WarnerBros Discovery faced challenges and laid off large parts of their workforce. I worked in the revenue department at a market research company and served clients in the entertainment industry. It felt like a significant portion of my professional network was let go, and now we were all facing long-term unemployment.
I anticipated a challenging journey. As a result, my anxiety levels were high, and I alternated between denying the situation and panicking. I felt trapped, endlessly pursuing the same work opportunities to achieve a specific industry, salary, and lifestyle, but always falling short.
I realized I needed help to break free from old belief systems that had stopped working for me and old habits and connections that were not beneficial. Coaching and therapy provided an excellent means to accomplish this, triggering a chain reaction that led me to question everything I did and assess whether it still served me today.
What have you found the most challenging part of unemployment, and how did you overcome it?
The most challenging part of being unemployed was knowing that I needed to tap into new worlds and dealing with this wobbly feeling — like I was like standing on very thin ice. All those emotions were fueled by my inner critic, who told me that I was not good enough, that I was not worthy enough to pursue a role that pays the same salary, and that only a particular lifestyle could give me joy.
I then came across Michael Singer's book, The Untethered Soul, which turned everything around. I learned to separate the voice in my head from me. I learned to acknowledge this voice but not to let it impact my mood and thinking anymore. That’s when I really started to relax and release. It is the best book tip I’ve received throughout my time of unemployment, and I highly recommend it to everyone who is still trying to match their inner thought patterns with the outside world and utterly failing.
What unexpected benefits or personal growth have you experienced during this time?
Throughout 2024, I learned to refocus on what sparked joy, deep dive into topics that are fun for me, and generate income. In March, I moved from a lovely but way too expensive apartment in central London to a very small room in a shared flat. I sold a lot of stuff I no longer needed and reduced my belongings to fit into one wardrobe. Oh boy, did that feel liberating!
I focused on photography, the joy of building businesses and understanding consumers. I also set non-negotiables for myself going forward. I love living in different places—London, Cape Town, and France are places that I call home. I also looked at the money I needed to travel between those destinations and the money I needed to make a comfortable living, and it was far less than I thought. After a few weeks, my new work-life situation puzzle came together.
I realized I had created a new environment in which I could thrive, and I enjoyed it. What I’ve left behind is my habit of procrastination, my anxiety, and my fear of missing out. Having done some iterations of what serves me, what is good for me, who I like to be with, and where I'd like to live was extremely important in resetting my new life.
What's one piece of advice you have for someone who is at the very beginning of their laid off life journey?
Embrace the new journey! Find out what is good for you, connect with your heart and spirituality, see what sparks joy, what gives you goosebumps, and then just experiment. It's all being laid out for you anyway, so please enjoy this part of your life. Take the time to pause and reassess everything.
If you can't get rid of the negative voice in your head, try focusing on things you can control and improve them. Run for longer, eat healthier, go for long walks, and read inspiring literature. Set a goal you can control, and you'll see this will give you a sense of accomplishment, and the negative thoughts will quiet — at least for a bit.
What’s one piece of advice your employed self would give your unemployed self?
Don't deny your feelings. Include them in your decision-making process. Take a moment to align your mind and emotions. I've been in denial for many years, but letting go of specific belief systems and reconnecting with my feelings has made me feel like an all-around more authentic person. If you ignore your feelings, they catch up with you…for sure!
What are your daily routines, rituals, and strategies for staying motivated, productive, and sane during your job search?
It's essential to have a system, not just a plan. I've developed both inbound and outbound strategies for acquiring new business, and I make time to continuously improve myself professionally. Additionally, I schedule regular long walks to listen to audiobooks, find inspiration, and reconnect with my spirituality. Every month, I take a nice trip and focus on finding joy in those exciting, new moments.
What kind of work are you hoping to do next (in case anyone reads this and has a lead for you)?
I've decided to work as a solopreneur from now on, helping CEOs in increasing their companies' revenue. I have acquired extensive knowledge from my experiences at companies like Warner Bros. Discovery, Sky, Nielsen, and GWI, which enables me to offer guidance as a fractional leader. I am passionate about assisting scale-ups in assembling the right team, fostering a positive culture, and establishing efficient systems. My mantra is to be transformational rather than transactional. My ultimate goal is to help companies prosper, make a positive impact, and achieve success across all aspects and with all of their employees. This work holds deep meaning for me.
Please share any tips for building your client base that have been helpful for you.
I like to keep these key points in mind when doing lead generation:
Identify your ideal employer or client.
Understand their pain points.
Determine how you can help them to overcome that pain.
I conduct extensive outbound research using LinkedIn's Sales Navigator to identify potential companies and individuals. Additionally, I set up Google alerts for companies and industries I am interested in. Don't hesitate to contact these individuals and explain how you can help them. Adopt a transformative mindset and avoid being too sales-oriented. The crucial point is to stand out and build trust with your target companies and TA managers. Focus on their needs and how you can address them effectively.
What is your dream job, if time, money, experience, and reality were of no consequence?
I think I am about to create one of my dream jobs, which is helping scale-ups grow! I would also love to be a photographer, a pilot, and a hairdresser. Ideally, I would love to have it all!
If unemployment were a competitive sport, what would your unique talent or skill be in that competition?
I love this question, and I value it even more because it's not about a new skill set that I've learned but a discovery that I've made. My discovery is to always connect my thoughts with my emotions and spirituality and to always listen to all three when making decisions. This three-pronged approach to decision-making allows me to be fully aware and authentic, bringing the most value to anyone going forward. This year has been instrumental in learning to reconnect with myself, and I hope that gives me an advantage over my old self in becoming a happier person and making some money.
What are your worthy time wasters? What are you reading right now?
Here are the top five audiobook recommendations for those embarking on a journey to navigate unemployment and find a new chapter in life:
Living from a Place of Surrender: The Untethered Soul in Action
Emotional Agility: Get Unstuck, Embrace Change and Thrive in Work and Life
Where can people find you?
LinkedIn, my website, or put some time on my calendar to have a chat. I’m always happy to help anyone who is on a similar journey.
Have a question, suggestions, or thoughts? Message me!
Have thoughts about what you read, have suggestions for future topics, or a question you want me to answer? Send me a message!
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