Football, Hanging Out, & Courage

Welcome to the Kickin' it with Kristen newsletter! I aim to deliver relatable stories, practical insights, and valuable resources you can use every Monday. If you want to learn more about?Down-To-Earth Insights LLC?and the Leadership and LinkedIn Coaching, I provide, schedule a complimentary?Discovery Call?today! #leadership #personaldevelopment #learning

??Aha! Moment

My Aha! Moment this week will seem obvious and straightforward, but it is one that every so often jumps up and hits you right between the eyes! Are you ready for it?

Take the time to tell someone what they mean to you and how they have impacted your life. You may believe they know, BUT what if they don't?

Someone recently sent me a message and shared how I have helped her over the last few years. I have never meant this person, but she was a reader of the blog I had inside the company I used to work for and of my LinkedIn content. Sometimes, as the content writer, you aren't sure if people are reading it or if it's resonating. Her message meant the world to me, and I'm so thankful I've been able to help her.

Don't let today go by without telling someone what they have meant to you and how they have impacted your life. It's as easy as sending a text, email, IM, or picking up the phone and calling them! #apprecation

1??One Thing I...

???Learned?- Did you know that after a touchdown, a field goal in junior high football is worth two points, and running it in is only one point? I feel like I'm relearning the game, and then when he enters high school, it will switch back! What other sports have you found that have different scoring based on age?

??Read?- Hanging Out: The Radical Power of Killing Time by Sheila Liming. The book talks about the lost art of hanging out. Remember when you were eight years old, and you invited a friend over? You didn't have a plan other than to hang out and play! Why don't we do this as an adult? The book shares how unstructured time is vital to more connected relationships and to be happier. My goal is to hang out more!

??Watched?- Football is back, and I’m loving it! The game, the food, the weather, and hanging out with friends make for a perfect day. ??

??Accomplished?- I celebrated my little brother turning 50 by catching up with family and friends on a cruise ship! What happened on a ship needs to stay on the ship...although I'm guessing stories will be told for years at family gatherings!

??Insight for the Week

I learned a long time ago that trying to micromanage the perfect vacation is always a disaster. That leads to terrible times. – Anthony Bourdain

?Ask Kristen

Thanks to everyone who sent in questions. This one came from the state of Georgia!

Q:?I have been following you on LinkedIn for several years. Watching you start your own business and leave what appeared to be a secure place was so BRAVE! It also screams passion! How did you find the courage to make the change?

?A: I have received this question no less than a hundred times over the last month, so I thought I would go ahead and answer it here! I struggle to answer this because I don't see it as brave or courageous, although I understand why others do.

Which gets me to the "how" part - how did I decide to leave Corporate America?

I listened to my inside voices. For years, the voices in my head kept telling me I needed to do something I loved. Life is short, and the stress of corporate life and trying to make everyone happy isn't worth it! For a while, I brushed it off and thought, I'll think about it when I retire, but it was persistent and got louder and louder.

I brainstormed my options and worked to understand every one of them. As the pull to do something different grew more substantial, it was hard to ignore. So, I started looking at options and talked to people I trusted who could provide me with data.

?? I could work until I was 55, retire, and start my own business.

?? I could step back from my executive role and take a lower-level, non-management position. This would free up some work demands/mental capacity, and I could start my business on the side, work to 55, and then retire.

???? I could resign, start my own business now, and build the company so I could defer my pension to the magical age of 62.

I knew each option's pros/cons and pension/benefit implications. I also knew the impact on my family. I was very fortunate that my husband has a job to continue to provide benefits. He is super supportive of my goals, and we've always tried to live below our means so we could enjoy an early retirement. All of those were significant factors in this decision.

Finally, after all the info, it came down to being honest with myself. Having the data helped me realize that my family would be okay regardless of the decision. We were prepared no matter what. It came down to this question: What did I want?

I could have stayed another two years to reach 55, but I knew I would be miserable. My frustrations were growing and getting harder to hide, impacting my life beyond work. Plus, life continues to remind me that there are ZERO guarantees I will even be alive to turn 55.

So, after much thought, the actual decision was easy, and it was necessary for my well-being and happiness. Maybe that's brave...I like to say I finally PICKED ME so I can be the best me for my husband, family, and friends today, NOT once I turn 55.

My only regret is that I didn't listen to the voices in my head or research the options sooner! #CourageOverComfort

?Do you have a question about a current leadership challenge or situation??Submit your question to me via a?direct message on LinkedIn.