Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Real Men Write Resignation Letters

The walls of Partners Andrews Aldridge are resounding to all manner of unseemly sobbing and wailing today, as news reaches the girls in account management that the agency's most manly hunk of throbbing masculinity is leaving.

That’s right, I’ve decided to go freelance.

Given the way the UK economy is stuttering along like an Austin Allegro on a cold Winter’s morning, and the fact I’m soon to be flattened by the financial haymaker of having a second child, I thought this would be a super time to cast aside all financial stability.

As you’d expect, everyone here at Partners is distraught at my departure. Although I must admit they’ve managed to mask their disappointment extremely well.

My art director in particular has been so supportive about the whole thing. Right from the moment I first floated the idea he’s been incredibly enthusiastic and helpful.

He's left articles on my desk about how great freelancing is. He even started posting encouraging motivational notes, like ‘Who dares wins!’ and ‘Be all you can be!’

Equally, my CD has tackled the toughest brief of his life with a passion bordering on relish. These are enormous shoes he has to fill. Shoes so big, they could almost be described as clown shoes. And yet, the way his eyes light up when he talks about ‘getting the upgrade’ is a sign of a man unfazed by the gargantuan nature of the task.

Now, you might be wondering why I’d leave a brilliant creative place like Partners. These are some reasons why I’m going freelance:

• I want to meet lots more people and experience loads of different stuff.
• It’s good to be scared. Sometimes.
• It feels like the right time in my career to do this.
• I believe I can fly. I believe I can touch the sky.
• If I don't get any work, I might finally get around to painting Baby RMWLC’s room.

This has never been a very comment-y type blog. Mainly because no one cares enough to comment. But this seems like a good topic to collect your thoughts on.

So tell me blogosphere, how should one behave on freelance? How do I stay employed? And what’s the etiquette with eating the staff biscuits?

And by the way Yes, leaving was my idea and No I wasn’t fired, thank you very much.


P.S. Why not have a look at davemance.com and tell me what you think of my work? Because I really could give the first one about your opinion.

13 comments:

  1. Eat all the biscuits you can lay your hands on.

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  2. Yeah, yeah, whatever. Let me know if you want any help packing.

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  3. remember to zip / download / steal, the agency hard drive / network / intranet, or wherever it is they keep everything.

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  4. Good luck Guv'nor.

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  5. Anonymous Account HandlerOctober 19, 2010 at 5:44 PM

    Why don't you just decide to come back, just at the moment when people think you've finally left? when the same people coincidentally don't turn up to your leaving do, you can say, 'Surprise! only kidding!'.

    The reception is generally very positive after that. Beats freelancing.

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  6. i just made the same choice about 6 months ago. although currently not enjoying the same things (eating out... nice food... real food) - i am enjoying more time with the wife and kids and finding out all the things that can be made with pumpkins (as they're in season and cheep). good news is that things are on the up and each month the amount of taxes i pay increases. congrats!

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  7. Freelance is great. I've never had a job. Sometimes you have lots of money and sometimes you have none at all. There is the enticing prospect of telling clients that you don't want to work for to fuck off, although you probably won't. And you can stare out of the window without feeling guilty. Good luck…

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  8. Good luck Dave. Don't feel down-hearted that everyone is hiding their true emotion at your departure. Rest assured that your leaving do will be a spectacular event and will last exactly as long as there is money behind the bar. As soon as the tab runs out everyone will remember the Shoreditch drinking establishment they were meant to be in / friends they had to meet / funeral they had to attend.

    Good luck with the freelance thing. Think about it as 'being your own boss'. It won't help you pay the bills, or persuade the bank manager that the future really is bright, but it will be strangely fulfilling.

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  9. Girl who used to sit near youOctober 26, 2010 at 1:22 PM

    Oooh goodie! Maybe I will get to sit near you yet again. Great decision. See you soon I hope.

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  10. I went freelance six months ago and have, contrary to expectations, made a mint.

    However, rather than feeling chuffed about my meaty bank balance, I've developed 'freelance fear' eg, I'm convinced that my clients are all going to ditch me at once, I take on more work than I can handle in order to 'minimise' the risk etc etc etc etc etc

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  11. wowzers. i think it's a brilliant thing to do. congratulations dave.

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  12. The best thing about freelancing is that you don't have to ask anyone when you want a day off. The worst thing is that you always seem to be chasing clients to pay on time. Good luck!

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  13. Freelancing? With that portfolio? Kidding, uh?

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