Being unmotivated in my 9-5 led to a layoff

I know the feeling all too well... looking on LinkedIn every single day to see what new job opportunities were available. Here we go again, looking for another job after less than one year at my current one. I was unfulfilled, unmotivated, and depressed in every single job I ever had. I remember thinking it was a money thing... If I made more, I'd be happy. HA - WRONG.

Every boss I ever had was an asshole in my eyes.... controlling. I HATED being told what to do. I HATED having to "report" to someone. But now looking back, it really had very little to do with the job, tasks, bosses, employees.... it was me.

I had a deep desire to impact people. I wanted to create something revolutionary and be known for this person who changed something. I just had no idea what that would be. I was always bringing new ideas to the table at old jobs, and they always got shut down... ALWAYS.

"This shit sucks!" I would think to myself. "I'm never going to be able to experience freedom." Is this what life was? Working 40+ hours per week, hating your job, hating your life...

In 2014 I was hired as an Agency Growth Manager for a marketing agency in Boston. This was a remote position and I remember thinking "YES! This is it. This is the key to freedom...being able to work from home." This was probably the most trapped I had EVER felt in a job. I remember my boss called and I had been in the restroom so I didn't answer, and when I called him back it was 21 questions. "What were you doing? Were you on a break?"

I felt like I was suffocating. I was so uninspired because this shit just didn't feel right, but what was I supposed to do? I didn't go to college, so I felt like my job opportunities were limited. I had always loved the idea of owning my own business one day, but that seemed nearly impossible. How can I start a business with no money and no experience? Where would I even start? This seemed so out of reach.

I remember asking for a sign. I needed something or someone to push me in a direction because I was so lost and confused...And then I got the news. It was a Monday morning after a long weekend and I tried logging into the software I used and my credentials were invalid. I knew instantly what was coming next. My boss calls... "Hi, Chloe. So we've decided to terminate your position. We are laying you off." I've never felt so many emotions hit me at once. So much humility, stress, overwhelm, and also relief, happiness, and hope.

That very same day I was laid off, I made the decision to start my own business. I was going to put myself on social media and market myself as a consultant. I took all of my previous job experiences and thought about how I could turn those into services that I could offer my clients. I had significant marketing and sales experience which not only let me build my product suite but was also extremely beneficial for marketing and selling my own services.

I knew from the beginning of my working career, that I was made for more. I knew the typical 9-5 just wasn't for me. I knew there was a life outside of being so unhappy and unfulfilled. The thought of owning my own business just didn't seem possible. It seemed way too complicated to even try to learn how to do it on my own.

And it was. It was lonely. It was overwhelming. It was confusing. But it was a lot better than working for someone else. This was the first time I had ever felt truly happy. Sunday scaries were no longer a thing. I started to look forward to Mondays. I truly loved every single aspect of my "work." It wasn't until owning my own business, I felt free.

Owning your own business and being fulfilled is A LOT easier than working for someone else and being miserable. The systems and strategies are something you can easily learn. You can't "learn" how to find fulfillment or happiness in your job.

If this resonates with you, send me a DM. I'd love to open up a safe space to chat.