1825 Days Ago

1825 Days Ago 1825 days = 5 years and one day. I missed writing yesterday because I was tied up. I missed my 5 year anniversary of when I was laid off (I celebrated it, just not on the blog). 1825 days ago I drove away from my company office for the last time because I had been laid off. I felt betrayed. I was scared. I was excited for new opportunities, and was sure I would find or make them. A few weeks later fear, doubt and depression started to set in as I began to realize just how hard it could be to find or make new opportunities. I missed being the boss, with a paycheck and benefits. I missed having a title, and people around me who would laugh at my jokes. I missed feeling important because I had a title, and did monthly board meetings, and could pull my team together on a whim for an important meeting. My professional/career identity was gone, and I felt part of my life was eroding into who-knows-what. The next few months would be filled with all kinds of emotions, and have very low lows and very high highs. I would learn more about me than I wanted to know. Some fears would be justified (I wasnt as good as I thought I was) and some dreams might be realized (I could own my own business and chart my own destiny). The last five years have been an amazing ride.  Where once I thought I wanted a corporate job back Ive come to realize thats not what I want. Ive realized I could be an author (even a best selling author for my publisher). Ive realized I could start a business and sell valuable stuff, get clients, and fans. Ive realized I could excel as a professional. Ive realized I could set my own hours and work towards my own priorities, instead of dancing around lame corporate policy and answering to lame corporate managers. Why do I share this with you? Because I want you to know that no matter how bad it hurt, no matter how bad it seems, that you can pick up the pieces and move on. What you develop can be better.  Maybe it wont be as much money, but it might be more fulfilling.  It might be better for your health (decreased stress anyone?).  It might be a better fit for your personality.  It might be much better for your financially. I dont know what it will be, but I know it can be much, much better than what you left. Mine was. 1825 Days Ago 1825 days = 5 years and one day. I missed writing yesterday because I was tied up. I missed my 5 year anniversary of when I was laid off (I celebrated it, just not on the blog). 1825 days ago I drove away from my company office for the last time because I had been laid off. I felt betrayed. I was scared. I was excited for new opportunities, and was sure I would find or make them. A few weeks later fear, doubt and depression started to set in as I began to realize just how hard it could be to find or make new opportunities. I missed being the boss, with a paycheck and benefits. I missed having a title, and people around me who would laugh at my jokes. I missed feeling important because I had a title, and did monthly board meetings, and could pull my team together on a whim for an important meeting. My professional/career identity was gone, and I felt part of my life was eroding into who-knows-what. The next few months would be filled with all kinds of emotions, and have very low lows and very high highs. I would learn more about me than I wanted to know. Some fears would be justified (I wasnt as good as I thought I was) and some dreams might be realized (I could own my own business and chart my own destiny). The last five years have been an amazing ride.  Where once I thought I wanted a corporate job back Ive come to realize thats not what I want. Ive realized I could be an author (even a best selling author for my publisher). Ive realized I could start a business and sell valuable stuff, get clients, and fans. Ive realized I could excel as a professional. Ive realized I could set my own hours and work towards my own priorities, instead of dancing around lame corporate policy and answering to lame corporate managers. Why do I share this with you? Because I want you to know that no matter how bad it hurt, no matter how bad it seems, that you can pick up the pieces and move on. What you develop can be better.  Maybe it wont be as much money, but it might be more fulfilling.  It might be better for your health (decreased stress anyone?).  It might be a better fit for your personality.  It might be much better for your financially. I dont know what it will be, but I know it can be much, much better than what you left. Mine was.