Derek is the cofounder of Viddsee, a creator platform for premium short form content with over 3B+ views, 40M+ monthly reach, and 5K+ filmmakers.
With 15 years as a media and technology leader, Derek has worn multiple hats – from developing products to selling content IPs. And his passion lies in growing communities around content, building empathy with IPs and characters, and driving action through impactful storytelling to shape culture.
Guest Author: Derek Tan
Doing nothing is one of the best thing to ‘do’
Continuing my support for the ones affected by hashtag#layoffs, I like to share my experience in the second act of the process – being in the neutral zone.
Tbh, it was something I didn’t understand. How can doing nothing give answers you are seeking. Especially when you want answers to start again.
But remember, before we can start again, there’s an ending, a neutral (in-between) zone and then a new beginning.
The past few months of doing nothing has been an open-minded time and opportunity that allows me to try different ideas – some started and some stopped.
But it was frustrating and disconcerting when there’s no clear direction and answer.
I was hoping to find an answer by end of last year – especially while I was on a trip away from home and the magic of the holidays and new year. But the searching for an answer by a deadline didn’t help. The answers didn’t appear.
It was also chaotic when there are a few different ideas and opportunities to pursue, but anxious to not committing to any as it felt too soon. The uncertainty about the future was also overwhelming.
It’s like this quote: “Happiness is like a butterfly, chase and it shall elude you, stop and it shall come to rest on your shoulders.”
I learnt to stop. I learnt that that if you search for it, you won’t find it. When you stop looking for it, you’d find it.
This neutral zone is a space between chapters. It’s feeling alive and living each day in the present. It is a time or reflection, to allow fleeting thoughts to come in.
Renewal is at the heart of the neutral zone. You begin to see it as a way of life, a way of being, and develop patience with yourself and others.
Let the process run its course.
End the chapter. Pause. Then start a new chapter or book even. You got it 👌
#layoff #layoffsupport #transition
PS if anyone is looking for folks in content programming, production, sales, marketing, corp comms or mobile app development in SG or ID, please let me know.
