"And you may find yourself,
Behind the wheel of a large automobile,
And you may find yourself in a beautiful house,
With a beautiful wife,
And you may ask yourself, well,
How did I get here?"
-Talking Heads "Once in a Lifetime"
The Moment of Realization
“There was a sense of needing to expand and contribute in a more direct and meaningful way...”
It became very apparent to me a couple of years ago that I was no longer satisfied with my career, which I had been successful for two decades. There was a sense of needing to expand and contribute in a more direct and meaningful way, not knowing yet what that meant. At first, I ignored the signs causing me to squirm in my chair of dissatisfaction.
Later, I hired a coach to help me work through what was causing me so much discomfort with the initial intention of fixing how I felt about my job. After a few months of trying to fix it, I realized I needed to explore new opportunities uninhibited. Becoming a professional coach floated around in the back of my head, but I had some fears about outside judgment and my own ability to make a difference. As I narrowed down my list of options, coaching was always there, but I would avoid it and contemplate other ideas. To be a good coach, I believe you have to fully commit to the continuous unraveling of your own thoughts and feelings in all areas of your life. You need to be extremely vulnerable to express who you truly are and what you have to offer your clients. It's a terrifying place, at first. However, as I continued to dwindle down my list of meaningful possibilities, it became all too clear that this was what I had been searching for. It was time to have faith and leap into the unknown.
The Decision
I finally mustered up the courage to leave my job of fifteen years later that fall. I began the process of exploring options, but before I knew it, I was laid off. Mostly, it was a welcomed relief. It had expedited the process that I was afraid to attempt - exploring a new path. I immediately embraced this opportunity to dig deep into my own heart and find what I wanted in this next chapter of my life.
As I examined what I wanted, I realized I am able to see the best in people, often more than they see in themselves. I want them to leave my presence feeling better than when they first arrived. I love learning about them. Their struggles and stories inspire me. It became clear to me that I want to serve them in realizing their own potential and removing any blocks so they can construct a life that they genuinely love.
When seriously considering becoming a coach, I thought "deep breath". I reminded myself that I want to be brave in my own life. I want to contribute to the world in a way that is authentic to who I am, and where I help people feel more connected to whom they are in the world. It's a very deep desire that I could no longer deny. I took that deep breath, and I enrolled in the best coaching program I could find.
Since then, I haven't looked back. Albeit, my first day in the program was intimidating, but once I opened up to others, I realized we all have a common goal. We want to help people live the fullest and most satisfying lives they possibly can.
The road has been challenging at times as I learn to release concerns of judgment and cultivate my vulnerability so that I can authentically connect with those in need. I love the process of coaching someone and holding that sacred space for them to explore their thoughts and desires. Witnessing them unravel their thoughts and gain clarity is incredible. The excitement and willingness to take significant actions toward their vision is immeasurable.
I now recognize that my gifts of empathy and deep compassion for others are how I can serve my clients in discovering how they view their world, and how those thoughts and feelings may not be serving them toward achieving what they truly want.
My life's mission is coaching driven professionals. I believe many of us fall prey to the "corporate grind" and too heavily rely on our careers to define our self-worth. Sometimes, we become out of balance and lose a considerable part of whom we are in the process.
Time to Pause
“...it's critical that we pause from time-to-time and reflect on where we are and discern if it's really the direction we want to continue to go.”
Pursuing a challenging career can be very rewarding, but if we are pursuing it to the detriment of other values we hold, it's unsustainable long-term. Plus, those unique aspects of us are the key to living fully and contributing in our own unique way. It's critical that we pause from time-to-time and reflect on where we are and discern if it's the direction we want to continue to go. If not, we need to give ourselves permission to pivot. Pivoting can be scary, but the alternative can be worse.
Get Inspired
I choose to serve professionals because I want to help them press pause, reflect, pivot if desired, and weave neglected values back into the fold. I have no attachment to the outcome they choose, but I want them to choose it with a much deeper sense of self-awareness instead of deciding without a conscious examination.
Our level of satisfaction in life increases when a decision is made consciously versus unconsciously, even if the same choice is made.
As I embark on this new path, my fears bubble to the surface. But if I stay focused on the intention and purpose behind my desire to travel down this road, those fears diminish. As I continue to grow in my own life and in serving those in need, I want to expose my heart and be vulnerable to this messy, uncertain path of exploration. I want to reach people who wish to make a difference not only in their own lives but in those around them as our inner work ripples through all with which we come into contact.