Years ago, I was tempted to get pissed off, yet I decided to be calm anyway.

In one of my Division Head days, one of my writers had been missing in action.

I tried all possible ways I can reach out to the writer: Discord, Messenger, SMS, and phone calls.

Reached out many times per platform.

No response.

Sigh.

This isn’t abnormal in any work situation.

Even before I decided to have a virtual career, I had human resource work experience for 10 years. I know of people who just vanish like thin air after any of the following scenarios:
1. Signing of contract
2. Experienced day 1 in the job
3. After the training program

Geesh, even Harry Potter’s Floo Powder will have nothing on these escape artists! (Yes, even you Houdini.)

I really wanted to get revenge. Part of my brilliant plan was:

• Tell the writer that I would take a screenshot of her Facebook profile, post it on every Facebook Group I belong to and put a BEWARE headline on top.
• Take it a notch by telling every single client I had to beware of this person.[Insert witch laugh here.]
  

My destruction plan was so evil, the writer will have no future at virtual careers at all, and Gru will be a runner-up Despicable.

However, in the Good Book (Matthew 10: 7-15), Jesus told his disciples, “Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words–go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet. Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.” 

Probably, this writer doesn’t want me. Or this person is not ready for me.

So I was left with two decisions: let the writer’s character run into my nerves, or I shake the dust from my feet.

Here’s what I realized while munching an Army Navy naked burrito:

• I was taught well by mentors and other people who I met through books, paid courses and seminars, and every event I attended, so I can be a better person.
  I surround myself with friends who understand me, but at the same time, willing to poke me if needed.
  In my team, this writer is just 1%. I can (and should) focus on the 99% brilliant gems that I have.
• I got the support of my company.
• This situation is a learning opportunity for me!

So I chose to shake the dust off my feet. My energy is best spent with the best people.

To all “escape artists” reading this, whether you are working online, offline, or hybrid: you can escape all you want, but your character will catch up on you. The world you are creating could be suffocating.

I hope you won’t lose your breath.