profile

GotForked.org

Maybe It's Not Good or Bad — Yet

Published about 2 months ago • 2 min read

GotForked.org

May 2

Maybe It's Not Good or Bad — Yet

↓

Hey there,

Today I had a chance to meet a lot of folks affected by the layoffs as an exhibitor at the National Climate Job Fair in DC. It got me thinking ... a lot.

Like many of you, I've been watching these federal layoffs ripple through our DC community with a heavy heart. Some of you have already gotten that dreaded email. Others are checking your inbox with bated breath, wondering if you're next. I see you, and I get it — the uncertainty is exhausting, isn't it?

Last night, I was curled up with my boys reading this picture book called Stillwater. It's one of those sneaky books that hits parents harder than kids, you know?

There's this old Chinese parable in it that I haven't been able to shake:

​

A farmer's horse runs away. The neighbors gather around, saying "Such terrible luck!" But the farmer just shrugs and says, "Maybe."
​
The horse returns the next day, bringing wild horses with it. "What good luck!" the neighbors exclaim. The farmer just says, "Maybe."
​
Then the farmer's son breaks his leg trying to tame one of the wild horses. "What bad luck!" say the neighbors. "Maybe," responds the farmer.
​
Soon after, the army comes recruiting able-bodied young men, but they pass over the son because of his broken leg. "What fortunate luck!" the neighbors say. And the farmer? You guessed it: "Maybe."
​

When your badge suddenly deactivates and your last paycheck is scheduled, it definitely doesn't feel like a philosophical "maybe" moment. It feels like doors slamming shut. Trust me, I've been there.

But what I've learned (the hard way, always the hard way) is that some of my biggest "failures" created space for something I couldn't have imagined at the time. Getting roasted on Shark Tank? Led to a multi-million dollar e-commerce business. Landing my dream job at Airbnb? Turned out to be a terrible fit.

I'm not saying this to minimize what you're going through. The fear, the bills, the 3am anxiety — it's all real and it all matters.

I'm just saying: Maybe is a powerful place to stand when everything feels uncertain.

For those of you who need concrete help right now, I've put together resources at GotForked.org (yes, I picked that name to make you smile even when things are tough). You'll find everything from budget templates and health insurance guides to networking opportunities and small business starter kits.

Remember to breathe. Remember to be gentle with yourself. This chapter might really hurt. But maybe — just maybe — when you look back years from now, this won't be the story of how things fell apart. It might be the story of how they started coming together in ways you couldn't have planned.

In your corner always,

Craig

P.S. Reply to this email if you just need someone to talk to. I mean it.

113 Cherry St #92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2205
​Unsubscribe · Preferences​

GotForked.org

Former federal employee turned entrepreneur transforming federal service into the foundation for your future.

I’m Craig Isakow, a former federal employee who transitioned into entrepreneurship. My wife, a career public servant, recently left the federal government, and I was there to support her every step of the way. Through that experience, I saw firsthand how overwhelming career transitions can be—navigating benefits, understanding finances, and figuring out what’s next.

Read more from GotForked.org
Budget Apps

GotForked.org May 20 Tools to Take Control of Your Finances — Starting Now ↓ If your income has changed recently, or you're just trying to make every dollar count, you’re not alone. The right budgeting tool can help you figure out exactly where your money’s going, what’s essential, and how long your cash will last — without adding more stress to your life. Here are a few apps and resources we’ve vetted that can help you get clarity and take action today: ✅ Start Simple with Rocket Money (Free...

about 1 month ago • 1 min read

GotForked.org April 17 Why Bragging Might Be the Most Important Skill You Never Learned ↓ When we were kids, we were told not to brag. Don’t show off. Be humble. (Thanks Kendrick for the reminder) That message stuck — and for a lot of federal employees, it became a way of life. But in today’s job market? That mindset can hold you back. Because the people who get noticed know how to talk about what they bring to the table. When Humility Backfires Here’s the thing: many private-sector employers...

2 months ago • 1 min read
Household Budget Calculator

GotForked.org April 9, 2025 Worried About Money? Here’s How to Find Immediate Clarity ↓ When my wife left her government role, I won’t sugarcoat it—we felt an immediate, anxious pit in our stomachs. Suddenly, our financial security seemed uncertain, we were worried. Facing the Stress of Budgeting We reluctantly started reviewing our finances. The process was overwhelming and stressful: Which expenses could we realistically cut? How long could our savings sustain us? How much additional income...

3 months ago • 1 min read