The Choice of Change : When Leaving is the Right Choice
Change is such a scary thing and this time of year seems to bring lots of them for many people. Back to school, off to college, new friends and the list goes on.
“We tell our children to not be afraid and be strong and courageous but as adults it seems we cower away from our own advice. ”
I can remember clearly exactly where I was and what I was doing when I decided to make a change. It was something I had been thinking about for a while, secretly of course, but that day it was more than I could handle alone.
After a little research, a quick FaceTime to the BFF and a prayer, I called my Mama. I mean Mama will always encourage you, right? Sure enough, that’s exactly what happened. At that moment, it didn’t matter what anyone else said or thought because I had the blessing and support of my #1 fan.
I was entering my 10th year of teaching school. A year that most celebrate as a third of the way to their retirement, but for me it was another year of dread. Since becoming a mom in the summer of 2013 my passion for my career had just not been the same. Leaving my sweet girl, although in the care of my parents, was not how I had envisioned my life, and if it was going to change I was going to be the one to have to do it.
For the previous 10 months I had been a rep for a well known, social media based direct sales company. I had no real sales experience, unless you want to count the Belk shoe department during my college days, but I was trying to find a way to supplement my not so hot teacher income and pay off unwanted debt.
Now in the eyes of most, I had been extremely successful with this company. I had made it into their “Elite” ranks and earned leadership trips, a cruise for Richard and myself and even attended their convention. Although all these things were great, they weren’t paying the bills. And whether you like to admit it or not, money makes the world go ‘round.
There was a new opportunity in town and it appeared to be the answer to my prayer. I told myself right then that I would give this new company the best of me for 10 months, just as I had the other. And if in that time I was no better off then this just wasn’t for me.
Now when I told my husband about my choice I clearly remember him saying, “You just need to work harder.” Oh boy! If he had only known what that did to me. It lit a fire in me that no one could extinguish!
I already knew there would be repercussions to my choice. I had seen it happen to others; block, delete, ugly comments, isolation. For a company that says they “uplift, empower, and validate” those actions don’t really match up to me. But whatever happened in the social media world wasn’t going to stop me from doing what was best for me and my family.
So on August 26, 2016, I sent an email of resignation to my former company. I quickly received their automated reply stating the consequences of my actions and just as quickly, I hit the delete button. I jumped over to the LimeLife by Alcone (then LimeLight) website of my enroller and as they say, “the rest is history.”
Now I tell you all that to say, what if I hadn’t made a choice to change?
What if I had chosen the norm, the easy way, the safe place?
What if I had let other people’s opinions of how I should live my life dictate my choices?
None of this has been easy. I have lost “friends”, been mocked, left out, laughed at and talked about. However, the confidence gained, true friendships found and lives changed, including my own, is worth more than any of those things ever will be.
Think about it?
Is your life and happiness worth the approval of others? If the answer is no, then find the courage and strength to change your life.
It really is all up to you. I’ll be right here cheering you on every step of the way.
With Love,
