When I’m approached by folks wanting me to help them find their ideal job, there seems to be an inherent pressure on them.They want to finally get it right… this time. Most of them have the belief there must be only one right answer and unfortunately, they haven’t figured it out as yet.
Although I can certainly empathize (I’ve been there), we seem to put so much pressure on being “right.” We want to avoid unnecessary expenses by going down the wrong path and wouldn’t it be nice if we could just take the short cut.
Unfortunately, I have learned that even when we are listening to our heart and feel strongly we are headed in the right direction, there may be some surprising curves in our path.
When I got laid off back in 2006, I recognized it was an opportunity to follow my dream of becoming a coach. And I was right–my talents and interests were a natural fit for coaching. But what I didn’t expect was how starting my coaching career was just a beginning of another journey.
Initially I wanted to “step away” from business and HR in my coaching focus. It was time to take a break and I did…for awhile. But now 6 years later and 6 different business cards later–I look back and realize how much I evolved, grew, and became so much clearer than when I first started out.
And so my suggestions to my clients is to relax. Go with the best answer, the best direction…for now. Relax and enjoy the journey.
I recently attended a networking event where someone mentioned something I’ve heard many times, “I was making more money than I thought was possible…but I was miserable in my job.” I can certainly relate to that. I finally thought I had made it “big” by working for a mega company. I was making the salary I had put on my goal list several years prior–but I would often call it, “blood money.”
And as many times as I thought I would just suck it up and collect my paycheck, I realized I couldn’t just leave my pain at work. I spent so much energy trying to survive from 9 to 5, that I was exhausted by the time I got home. How many times I promised myself to figure out what was next for me. But all my energy had been used up during the day. Well, maybe tomorrow…
I just needed a few more years before I could retire in style. What was a person to do? I tried to stick it out. But while my head was repeating my “five more years” mantra, my body knew otherwise. I ended up with intestinal problems resulting in several uncomfortable tests (you know the kind) and an emergency room visit. My wake up call finally came when someone said I looked like an “abused puppy.” Guess I wasn’t fooling anyone.
Like a lot of people, I stayed because I was convinced would never be able to earn good money and do something I loved. That was 4 years ago and now I’m excited helping women make the same boat load of money AND work their passion. Why do we have to choose? Sure it doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s worth the journey! What’s stopping you from walking through the door toward your possibilities?
[Note: In case you’re curious–my intestinal problems have gone away almost completely. Chronic stress sure does a number on our bodies!]Look What’s New!
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