CLARITY

Early in 2016 my father passed away, my best friend died from cancer and my brother was recovering from a stroke.  These events caused me to pause and ask myself what was I doing with my life? Why was I here? I was in my early 50s and in a flash 2 people I love dearly had life altering events and I lost my 92-year-old father who seemed indestructible.  I had been working in a variety of corporate roles for over 30 years! Yet, I was starting to feel unfulfilled. The current job afforded me a nice lifestyle and a means to support my son, but I knew that if I were to leave, few would remember what impact I truly made.

At the end of 2016 I spent a week at the Canyon Ranch in Arizona to relax and recharge. It allowed me to reconnect with myself in mind, body and spirit. The time away created space for me to be with my thoughts, guided by a magical environment with nothing to do but hike, meditate and enjoy healthy meals and the spa. This experience reignited my faith in possibilities, and I launched my plan to trade in my corporate life for a career that helped others. I wanted to be a life coach.

In early 2017 I had not figured out how or when, just that something needed to change to get me started on the journey of becoming a coach.  In June 2017, like a lightning bolt, it became clear what I needed to do.  My colleague was eligible to take an early retirement package.  I asked my manager to consider someone else on the team to absorb her role since she had replaced me.  The day came when he told me he wanted me to take the role back, which meant doing the work I used to do in addition to the work I was currently performing.

It was that moment when I realized that I had been living my life for everyone else. For the company, for my family, for my son.  That’s when I put a plan in motion and asked a critical question – what about me?  When would it be my time to speak up and take control of my own life?  That time was now.

I enrolled in an intensive coaching training program with IPEC and a Dale Carnegie certification course, both beginning in January 2018.  I resigned my corporate job in December 2017 with many thinking I was crazy to leave a stable, well-paying position for a future of complete unknown. I thought I would be scared, but I was actually at peace with the decision, feeling as if I was being guided from something greater than myself and that everything would work out ok. And it has.