Here is the short answer to when it is time for a change. You know it’s when your heart starts to long for a new challenge, and the universe starts throwing opportunities your way!
The universe has a way of putting us on the path where we need to be.
Over the last nine months, I was privileged to be a key member of the leadership team at R.E.D. Trucking. It was a wonderful chance for me to be a part of an amazing team of people and to work closely with the inspiring Founder and President, Enzo Dinten. I got a lot of value out of the experience while contributing to the growth of the management team and the corporate culture. It was a great time, and I’m grateful to have gotten to know such a wonderful staff.
While I found it gratifying to be back with a growing and exciting company, I felt an increasing pull to start working with a larger number of clients and pursue more speaking engagements. Then, over the last two months, circumstances started to present themselves, making that pull even stronger.
First, I was asked to speak at two different events on subjects that excite me – Business Strategy and Following Your Vision.
Then a client was referred to me by a mutual friend.
A week later, another prospect called me out of the blue.
The final enticement was meeting someone at a networking event who asked if I was taking on new clients.
How could I ignore all these signs? The time for change was now! I felt the magnetic energy drawing me back to my entrepreneurial roots. I now had 3 people asking for my services, responsibilities I could not juggle with the 4 days a week I was spending in Newark, NJ.
So, with an appreciation for the experience, sadness for leaving the team and great excitement to return to my business coaching roots, I gave notice and am happily back in my office. I am more energized and excited than I have been in a very long time. Absence really did make my heart fonder of the elements of running my own business – networking, prospecting and, yes, even managing my books!
It’s not easy to make significant changes. In fact, I put off the decision to leave R.E.D. for several months while I struggled with the pros and cons.
Sometimes these changes are forced on us. Under these circumstances, all we can really control is our attitude and perspective. To quote Napoleon Hill,
Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.
It’s up to us to find the benefit in all situations. So often, we look only at the adversity, not the opportunity that is there. I have looked at every situation in my life with the intention of finding that benefit and found them every time. Sometimes they are harder to find, but they are always there!
Here’s my challenge to you – look at a situation that you deemed to have been so difficult that there couldn’t possibly be any benefit at all. If you can’t find that seed of opportunity, schedule a free call with me, and we’ll find it together!
Luckily, this switch was a choice that I made purposefully, born from the desire to return to my passions – speaking on topics that I care about and working with business owners to scale up with greater joy and more clarity.
As someone who believes in signs from the universe, having the four signs mentioned above come in one after the other was just the impetus I needed to take action to make the decision a reality. it was time for a major change!
In the months leading up to this increasingly obvious time for a change, I thought about all the pros and cons. I discussed the possibility of the change with friends. I journaled about it. I meditated on it. I dreamt about it!
Just as with any significant change, there were several key aspects to consider.
I had concerns around my role with the company. I had made a commitment to help the company grow its management team. While I had helped them hire several key team leaders, did I need to stay on longer? What would happen when I left?
I knew I would miss the staff immensely. I know many people struggle with this particularly. It’s hard to leave people behind that we really care about. The day-to-day familiarity is very comforting and comfortable. I still feel a lot of sadness about leaving them.
Transparently, I wondered if I would still have the self-discipline to manage my daily time. For the past 9 months, 3 to sometimes 5 days a week, I was responsible for someone else. It was not a significant concern but one that I did wonder about. I can say now, 3 weeks into being back on my own, that I am more self-disciplined than before. My drive has increased as I have a renewed appreciation for being my own boss again!
As I went through this debate, I was very blessed to have friends, coaches and advisors all encouraging me to follow my heart. I am very grateful to all of them for their support and guidance!
For all of you struggling to see if it’s time for you to make a change, I have the following tips:
First, look into your heart.
Is what you are doing something you truly care about? In an ideal world, we would all follow our passion. At the very least, are you getting some value from your current situation? Do you look forward to or dread your circumstances?
If you feel called to make the change, weigh all the pros and cons carefully.
It may not dissuade you from making the change, but at least you will be prepared for any of the negatives that you anticipate. Forewarned is forearmed!
Discuss the ramifications with a few close family members, friends or advisors.
It’s always helpful to get advice from someone you trust has your best interests at heart. If you are unsure about their commitment to you, don’t discuss it with them. You want to make the best decision for you.
I am a fan of meditating and journaling on these major decisions.
Sometimes we have to let our heart and mind just have the time and space to process all the ramifications. Look inside to see how this change really feels under all the layers.
Finally, once you make the decision, go for it!!!
So many people second-guess themselves. They allow their fears (False Evidence Appearing Real) to talk them out of moving in the direction of their dream.
To quote Henry David Thoreau:
If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.
