Originally drafted to publish the Friday before Memorial Weekend. A week? Wow, um well, it’s been about a month. Clearly I’ve had nothing going on. (insert witty light sarcasm here) Welcome back to the third of five in the “I quit” series. Let's pick up where we left off... If you're joining us for the first time, check out this post to get caught up I quit. Part 1. and then I'll meet you back here shortly. I suppose I’m sort of like Tina Fey and many other women who’ve come before her in the “yes and…” space. “I’ll say ‘yes’ and then figure the details out later.” Talking is free and I like to connect with a lot of people about a lot of things. Whether or not people think my decisions are impetuous, compulsive, impulsive, or spontaneous, they’re everything but that. I always have a plan, and it usually stays in my head until it's reached a certain temperature, even if the plan is “I currently don’t have a plan and I’m okay with that for now.” Week one of my professional development sabbatical, I was approached by a friend looking to fill a need. She works with local small businesses to align expertise in their areas of need. This business in particular was looking for what they described as “an HR manager” but someone with keen people skills in the team development and coaching area. I wasn’t immediately on board with the idea of jumping into something else again. I had conviction in my decision to resign from my last role and was committed to taking the needed space in between whatever was next. So what did I do? I interviewed and took the role knowing a few things that were in my favor: it was part-time, I could leave my work at work (the first time in 15 years I didn't have access to work email outside of the office, almost unimaginable!) it was close to home and compensated well enough. Enough said. I took the job. And have been with that organization since, working mornings to support the team there. Having the space there also allowed me to create so much more in other areas of my life. I was able to create. And create. And create. I launched my own leadership development coaching and consulting practice - Redhead Momentum. Named after the fiery redhead spirit and joie de vivre. It’s the passion I infuse in my practice with all of my clients. And I LOVE it! This space also allowed me to launch and lead a chapter of Femfessionals in Denver, a national women’s entrepreneur group focused on business for the soul. Just what I needed, just what I wanted as I was starting my own business. The match seemed so perfect. And the timing the same. {What is a Femfessional? Learn more here: http://www.femfessionals.com/locations/denver-co/} Quick Pause for Intentional Reflection There have been a few people in my life who have shared things that stick. One was “You can’t give what you don’t have.” I needed some things. I needed them for myself before I could give them to others. I set out to do just that. I began running again, which I had missed so dearly. It gives me a sense of peace and connection that I haven’t found in much else like it. I don’t run far and I don’t fast. I just run. Sometimes with music, sometimes with others, sometimes alone. In February I started running at sunrise with another friend, and it’s lovely. It’s not always easy. For those of you thinking “wow, I could NEVER get up that early. And run!” Those same thoughts have crossed my mind for, oh, well, let’s see, 36 years! So, I know what you’re feeling. But I just got up and did it anyways. And it was great. Around a lake that has views of downtown on one side and views of the mountains on the other. A great balance of what life can be like. I started working out two days a week with a personal trainer. If you’re waiting for me to say “And it was great too!” read on. It’s work. Hard work. The real work needed. Honestly, everything I do with my trainer I could do on my own. But I hadn’t been. And I don’t. So, for now, I meet with him twice a week. Because I get what I need. Strength, both mentally and physically. Each activity in my life is intentional. No one else makes me do them. None of them are by luck or chance. And each serves a unique purpose in creating me. It’s been about five months or so since I’ve been on this newer/different path. Running, working out, part-time gig, building my practice, building Femfessionals. As I come into June, just next week, and the summer months, I’m setting out to accomplish some new goals, to help me get to that next space in this life I’m creating.
There’s something empowering about creating something yourself. Knowing what you want to do (or discovering it), figuring out how to get there and learning a lot along the way. In this in-between holiday weekend, I’m going to cure my sore throat and body aches (that just came on yesterday) and give myself a much needed little break; spend some time with Jason as he’s been on a crazy paths these past few months {years} too. And be ready for the next thing. Even if I don’t know what that is yet.
2 Comments
Gloria
7/13/2016 04:30:52 pm
You are such an inspiration! I'm so glad our paths crossed when they did-you are so intelligent and such a strong women!! Thank you for being nice you and sticking to your roots.
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Jolene
7/14/2016 10:50:27 pm
Gloria, thanks for stopping by here and for such a thoughtful note, I hope all is well with you and your boys!! Perhaps our paths could cross again sometime soon.
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