You are NOT Alone

I see a trend of easily posting positive information on social media, but, when it comes to sharing personal challenges, there seems to be a reluctance to post about it. I get it, who wants to show vulnerability or post bad news about looking for work or facing other life challenges? But, at the same time, the ratios tend to make many people feel alone while facing their challenges.

Well…

If you are struggling, you are not alone. It’s not you, it’s the economy, the industry, the universe, and a perfect storm of local, national, and global events.

I want to remind you that you are valuable and unique. You have skills. You will survive this too and come out the other end…stronger.

I guess what I’m saying is that I feel you, I see you, and I care for you. And, if you want to talk to someone about the next steps in your journey, I’m here for you.

Why?

I’ve been considering whether to write this or not for quite some time.

The reason I’m writing it is not to complain, ask for your help, have jobhunting or consultant client hunting services hound me, or have you feel sorry for me. It’s to be transparent about my situation in the hopes that it will normalize some of the challenges and feelings many of you are going through right now.

So, for those struggling to find a job or struggling to make ends meet, the silent majority who are rarely seen and don’t have a voice, this one’s for you. I hope I break some ice…

My Story

I’ve been running my consulting firm since 2001. I’ve got oodles of Agile Coaching and Consulting experience and, during the “Golden Age” of Agile, I was a hot commodity coach. My schedule was consistently booked, I spoke at national and international events, and I published 4 agile centric books. Life was, in a word, great.

Then—

• Covid-19 hit.

• Trump 1 and Trump 2 hit.

• FUD and VUCA hit.

• AI hit.

• And, in my family life, Atypical Parkinson’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia hit my wife.

During the past 2+ years, I’ve had a 90% reduction in my revenue.

I’ve had to tap into my general and retirement savings for living expenses and to care for my wife.

I’ve largely been unable to travel for business because of caregiving.

So, life has been, dare I say it, a challenge. But I am resilient and go on.

I continue to write (obviously). I continue to deliver Agile and Personal Coaching, largely pro bono. I’m investing in communities, like the Moose Herd and Badass Agile Coaching Days. And I continue to deliver my Badass Agile Coaching Masterclass with Peter Fischbach to support the community with scholarships and deep discounts.

I do all of this to pay my privilege forward but also to stay sharp and ready for when things improve…and they will.

Inspiration

Here’s a LinkedIn DM that directly inspired this post—

Now, yes, I’m fricken’ Bob Galen, but I’m also struggling like many of you. I just haven’t been transparent about it until now.

Stay agile and lean into the future, and dare I say it Be Badass, my friends,

Bob ‘Agile Moose’ Galen

BTW: this post also inspired me to share – https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sgruneisen_i-want-to-name-something-that-feels-share-7424475420961480704-Eyb4

I see you, Sarah!

Resources that might prove helpful—

• Moose Herd (it’s free)

• Julee Everett’s work on Resilience

• Joining my Agile Moose Substack (it’s also free)

• Badass Agile Coaching Masterclass