30 Days Post-Corporate
Hey there, welcome to the Soaring blog! We are so glad you’re here.
Have you ever felt like your job was pulling you in a direction that didn't align with your strengths and passions? If that sounds familiar, you're in good company.
Today, I'm sharing my journey of breaking free from the confines of corporate life to pursue a path that truly aligns with who I am. So, grab a cup of coffee and let's dive in!
I spent many years as a Development Manager turned Software Engineering Manager in corporate. In hindsight, I realized that the role initially aligned with my strengths and abilities. These included my capacity to connect deeply with others, empathize with their perspectives, and identify their individual strengths to address business challenges. I successfully led teams, ensured quality, optimized processes, and facilitated project execution. However, over time, I noticed a shift that brought increasing discomfort to my role.
The requirements of the job focused more on technical aptitude and ability, including experience as a Software Engineer, which I didn’t have. My background was in Quality Management. My natural gifts, and honestly my desire, was not to become more technical in the role than I had been.
It wasn't until April 8, 2024, that I found the courage to confront the fears that had been holding me back for years, 30+ to be exact. Constantly seeking validation in a job that no longer aligned with my strengths and unique gifts had left me feeling inadequate and unfulfilled. That day marked a turning point —a day when I chose to take a stand against the status quo and pursue a path that honored my true passions and abilities.
It was the last day of a job that seemed to drain the very essence of who I am, leaving me feeling empty and undervalued. I left corporate to pursue a life where my strengths could be utilized in a way that was more life-giving and aligned with my passion and purpose.
Here we are, May 8, 2024, 30 days since I decided to leave corporate. You can catch up on the full story here. Let me tell you, it's been quite the ride.
Follow along as I share my experience so far throughout this journey of change…..
You know that sinking feeling deep down, the one that creeps in when you have to face another day at a job you dread? It became a regular occurrence. But then I remembered—I didn't have to live like that anymore! I no longer had to endure a job that not only didn't play to my strengths but also went against my values.
I’ve slept better in the past 30 days than I have in a long time due to reduced stress.
Figuring out how to bring value beyond the confines of a corporate career has been quite the journey for me, and honestly, I'm still in the thick of it. I'm actively working on building the inner strength to understand that my worth isn't just about what I achieve.
Instead, it's firmly rooted in my faith and my identity as a follower of Christ. I'm not defined by my actions, but rather by the love I receive and embrace. This step has required me to confront fear head-on and recognize its lack of power over me. Can I get an AMEN?
I set weekly goals and targets to keep me on track and focused on the most important things, including things like conducting interviews with incredible women on their self-discovery journey, building content for the upcoming FREE Enneagram 101 webinar on 5/15, and other great things. I have definitely been busy, which has been good!
Opportunities to work with my natural gifts and talents continue to pop up, for which I’m grateful. My focus has been to intentionally NOT fill my hands with just anything but with the right things.
Friends, I hope this blog update inspires you to intentionally evaluate your strengths and skills and determine if they are being leveraged as well as they could be in life, which will bring you peace and joy.
Take the first step in investing in yourself by scheduling a free discovery call here. Let us partner with you to recognize your strengths and gifts, guiding you towards personal and professional fulfillment.
Share your own experiences or thoughts in the comments below. Your insights could spark valuable discussions and connections within our community.
Thank you for being a part of the SOAR community!
On your side and in your corner,
Lori
