Considering a change? Tips for taking the leap!

Guest Blog Post for Toni Marie PLL & Viva Life

Considering a change? Tips for taking the leap!

March 3, 2018

Written by: Sarah Watson

Switching jobs can be quite a change. Changing careers can be quite a shift. Shifting your life can alter everything...in a positive way.

I’m currently on a journey. An exploration of paths to find an opportunity closer to my home. Rewind four months and I was at a wonderful company with exceptional talent and a unique culture - a top workplace in Iowa. I loved my job and was surrounded by great teammates. Although, something was off inside of me. I’m certain my brain was close to full capacity, I was lacking sleep (and therefore my sanity), and I was having trouble producing breast milk for my five-month-old daughter. It took a small moment for me to discover a large, new beginning.

I'm deeply grateful to Toni Bubb, one of my Mount Mercy classmates, for inspiring me from 1,000+ miles away. The greatest part of this story...Toni didn't even know she had such a powerful, positive influence on my life. Until, I called to tell her about it. During my journey, I’ve been intentionally sharing my gratitude for support and encouragement from people around me. Toni was one of those people. She and I hadn't seen each other in years. She recently launched her new business, Toni Marie Professional Lover of Life and Viva Life (formerly known as the Coconut Life), and produced a video that I happened to catch on LinkedIn and I’ll never forget it. This was the first shift for me. View the video here.

I never thought I’d be the person so wrapped up in the day-to-day that I’d fail to invest in my highest priorities - health, family and faith - but there I was.  

Are you considering a change? If so, I encourage you to reflect, plan and act.

Reflect - Why do you want a change?

What are some new things you'd like to see happen in your life?

What is preventing those things from happening?

Why is this change important now? 

Plan - How will you do this?

What exploration will you conduct to discover your new path?

How long will your finances sustain if you choose to make a big move?

Who will you seek out for inspiration, encouragement and support?

Act - When will you take the leap?

What is your timeframe for the change?

How will you celebrate success?

Where will you turn when experiencing failure? 

Who will you offer your help and expertise?

Once you complete these three steps, I challenge you to discover - what is different about your life as a result of this change?

I'm uncovering these differences on a daily basis, but the big takeaway is space. I have space and clarity for my thoughts, space to explore a new adventure and more opportunities to lead from my heart.

Who will you positively impact with your change? More importantly, how will you express gratitude and thank others?

Thank You Toni Bubb - you’ve inspired and challenged me to reconnect with my core, love the new journey, stumble along the way, and laugh!

Smiles from my kitchen table,

-Sarah

Sarah Watson is a community volunteer and talent development professional in Cedar Rapids. A fan of chocolate and traveling - she lives in Iowa and loves to make memories with her family. She partners with professionals making significant career changes and helps them create their personal brands through writing creative content. 

Interested in hiring Sara?

CONTACT US: Toni@tonimariepll.com

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