At the ripe age of 31, I decided to change my career. For much of my adult life, I’ve been in the construction industry. While that is of course a tough profession, nothing could have prepared me for the endless, deep, and dark abyss that is LinkedIn.

Well, that’s not really true. I’ve been a sports fan my whole life. I’m built for this shit.

When I first got on LinkedIn, it seemed like this world of fun and possibility. I get 10-20 notifications a day of job openings telling me I’m a “perfect fit”. I see a constant stream of people announcing their wins. I consistently make the right connections and KNOW that this one is going to turn into success.

Turns out, all those people are 2001-2019 Patriots fans.

They’re the classic ‘90s “I’m a Yankees, Cowboys, and Bulls fan”.

Those are the Wayne Gretsky’s of the world.

Those people are winners.

I am, in fact, a loser.

But you know what? I’m built different. I was raised a Seattle sports fan. I know how to get kicked while I’m down, for over three straight decades.

I’ve watched the Mariners barely miss the playoffs for 21 years. I may never see them in a World Series.

The Seahawks’ heartbreaking Superbowl losses to the Steelers and Patriots give me meat sweats at any hour of the day.

Though I’m not a religious lad, I get down on my knees and pray for Howard Schultz and Clay Bennett’s downfall every. Single. Night.

You think a couple losses are gonna make me quit? Hell no. You don’t know how insane I truly am. You know what breeds true resilience? Adversity. Turmoil. Struggle. 

So if you think a couple of ignored applications for the “perfect fit” job will stop me, you’re weak. If you believe I’ll back down from a few losses, you don’t know shit. And if you’re under the impression that hearing the endless streams of wins will stop me from trying, you’ve never lost and had to get back up.

I may not be a winner yet, but I’ll never stop believing I can be. Because I’m a sports fan. And that’s what sports are all about. No matter what, you believe. Because if you don’t believe, what the hell is the point?

Bring it on LinkedIn.

Go ‘Ners.

Jacob