In 2008, a colleague announced that he was taking the voluntary severance and leaving. I was surprised, the volunteer severance was no better than the lay off severance and he was too young to retire. I asked him, “Was it a difficult decision?” I can still see the big smile that lit up his face, “No, not at all, in fact I’ve been planning this since the layoffs last year and I was afraid they weren’t going to offer it again.”
One of the most common topics that clients bring to me is their struggle and/or confusion about which path to take. Should I stay or should I go? Should I stand my ground or give in to that colleague who is disagreeing with me? Should I speak up when I know my boss is wrong or keep quiet and let her figure it out?
How do you know which way is the best way and avoid going off a cliff? Listen to your gut. Your head may logically reason you into a direction that you don’t really want to go; if you don’t tie your logic to your gut then you may find yourself on the edge of that cliff and going the wrong way. Sometimes it takes some practice to hear your gut so that your choices are clear. And sometimes, while listening, you need to gather more information to choose the best path.
As I considered the path of leaving my corporate job and becoming an entrepreneur, I started listing all the things I loved about my current job, what I could do in my own business to incorporate all that I loved to do, all the financial actions I’d need to take to assure a good buffer of support, and finally I spent some quiet time just getting centered on what I really wanted and listening to my gut. This resulted in a path that was not easy but incredibly rewarding. If I had been only logical, then I never would have left and if I’d only listened to my gut then I would have left too soon or left to go down a path that was not the one I am on now.
The key is to balance your head with your gut so that you take your best path and then trusting you are on the right path, especially when it gets a little rough.
How has this worked for you? Please share in a comment!
So true! If I listened to my gut impulse I would not be able to much provide for myself or my miniature family/best friends (german shepherd mix and boyfriend) as I would have walked out of work this week when temperatures reached 120 degrees, the a/c went out in my company car, and I realized I am doing 10% of what I love, which is art therapy, and about 90% transportation, travel, feeding and reports for abused and neglected children. I would have quit to market my services as an art therapist without much consideration for the future of my foundation. I would have found a quaint little office to decorate and stock with my favorite art supplies while opening for business with hope that clients would come to me. Instead I am mapping out a strategy that allows me to take the leap without so much risk of injury! I am saving six months of expenses so that I can afford to work part-time while beginning to network. I am looking for part-time jobs and remaining open to per diem positions even though I’d much rather work for myself. In the meantime, I am starting to compile a list of the top 30 agencies and facilities to which I might like to provide services as a contractor as job postings for my line of work are few and far between. I am starting to shift gears away from this idea that I need part-time supplemental income to begin private practice. I am realizing I can create the jobs I want by marketing myself sooner rather than later…I am taking one step at a time with continuous glances between the goal ahead and the foundation below to avoid any major pot holes on my path to future freedom!
Thanks for sharing Lanie and great to hear you are finding your best path!! You are doing a great job of keeping your bigger vision in mind as you move forward with the daily struggles. It is not easy and yet so worth it! Thanks for describing your journey for all of us to learn and stay focused and make adjustments along the way.
Making change in your life can seem challenging, especially if you’ve been taught that change is scary and unsafe. If the universe is offering opportunities for change, I say go for it. You’ll never know unless you do it. You can always go back to the old way, though the old will have changed too. Amazing experiences and people can open up your life in ways that are unimaginable. Jump off the cliff and trust you’ll land on your feet!
Thanks for your boldness, Isadora! Yes, sometimes you just have push past the fear and jump! I appreciate you sharing here! Paula