The Adventure Project Began Because I Got Fired
I got fired. Even though it’s been over a decade, it still stings. Partly, because I’m often asked, “You were the third employee at charity: water? Followed closely with, “Why would you EVER leave?!”
To clarify, I technically wasn’t fired; I was asked to resign. Which doesn't change much. It’s not like I could have responded with, “Um, no thanks, I’m good here.”
But yes, I was one of the first employees at charity: water. I was so lucky to have a seat at what tech people call a “unicorn.” charity: water exploded. It felt like everything we launched just worked. A team for Twitter taught us how to tweet and within a month we had million followers. Stuff like that just kept happening. Much of it was timing, the founder's story, and great marketing. But I’d argue it was mostly the people: hundreds of staff, volunteers and fundraisers working tirelessly behind the scenes. And those unnamed people are awesome.
To say I loved it is an understatement. I identified myself by my job. I lived it, breathed it, dreamed about it. It fulfilled my life goal: To live everyday as if it was a grand adventure. It was where I met my greatest friends, traveled the world, and went to bed every night eager for the next day.
Then, the unexpected happened. I was pulled into a room and told I no longer fit. My mind hung on the word “fit”. As if I was a pair of jeans you outgrow. As much as you lay down, suck in and pull, you can’t get them to zip. In one broken heartbeat I went from raising donations to being donated.
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