How I Left My Six Figure Job During a Pandemic

I’m sure many people did what I did during the pandemic.?I started questioning my career.

Where was my career? Where was it going? And what did it matter???

Now, to be fair. I actually started this questioning a couple of years before, especially the “what did it matter” part. The career path that I had previously mapped out got a good dose of reality.?And lost its zeal.

Being blessed to telework during the pandemic, I gained over 15 hours back in my week!

My stress level decreased. And I got so much done with those extra hours.?Things that it just felt good to do. Exercising without feeling overwhelmed. I became a certified hypnotherapist and a certified employee assistance professional!

And I began to wonder if I even wanted to go back to the stress of commuting and working in the office with others.?

I also faced the reality that my full-time job, financial management analyst, didn’t really fit my purpose. It was a form of customer service, but not what really mattered most to me.?I really enjoyed helping others change their lives. As both a career transition coach for high achieving professional women and a licensed professional counselor.

In February 2021, while my full-time job decided I should come back to work despite being at a higher risk for COVID19. I made the decision to resign from my job where I was earning six figures and transition to running my businesses full-time.?I’ve had a part time counseling and consulting private practice since 2010. And three years ago, I pulled the consulting piece out from this practice and started my coaching business so that I could coach here in the US and overseas as well.

And within 3 weeks, I tried to figure out why I hadn’t done this 3 years before!!!! I totally love it.????

The why I didn’t was simple though. I hadn’t fully understood my clarity. I was still working my career transition plan. Part of which was to satisfy myself about financial stability.

The best thing that I did was hire a coach. And did some soul searching about what would really make me happy.

Here is what I found to be helpful so that I could confidently and courageously resign my six figure job and pivot to full-time entrepreneur.

1.????Fully understanding my career clarity and how it matched my purpose.

2.????Resolving any since of lingering guilt or sense of failure over changing my career path to something else when I’d decided was going to retire from my current job.

3.????Establishing a network of other entrepreneurs and coaches, family and friends for camaraderie, support, and inspiration.

4.????Creating a financial stability plan. Which included medical, dental, and vision insurance for my college age kids and, of course, my own.

5.????Updating my daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and year schedules and timelines so that I had direction in the new role. As well as self-motivation and focus.

6.????Creating a learning plan that allows me to continue being a lifelong learner.

Full disclosure. Because I have been an entrepreneur for over 10 years, my biggest worry financially was health insurance. Part time, I was already earning more than my full-time job.?I feared the exorbitant cost of health insurance. Imagine my happiness finding a health plan that it was cheaper than my employer’s plan!! That speaks to the benefits of doing the research and networking with other entrepreneurs.?I found my health insurance plan through another entrepreneur.

The reason I included this bit about my biggest fear, is because our fears can slow us down or stop us from making that shift or the pivot. Mine did. And your fears may be different than mine. Rather than abandoning a career transition, take your time to research and find solutions to your fears.?And don’t be afraid to reach out for help and support. As a career transition coach, I still hired a coach. Two in fact.

It’s also important to note that career transition is a marathon, not a sprint. I created my career transition plan in June 2018, when I first considered full-time entrepreneur. With a goal date of December 2020 to transition. My daily schedule was already written in that plan. I simply updated it when I made the big shift this past February. It is the schedule I currently follow.

And remember your career plan is a guide. Things change, life happens, and your plans may be altered. Just as much as when you have a tour guide who shows you some new sites you hadn’t planned for on vacation. You still enjoy the vacation, new sites and all.

I provide career transition coaching for high achieving professional women. Are you nearing the end of your career, unhappy with your work or profession, and ready to make a change?

Or, are you making a mid-career shift into a new field but unsure how to go about it?

Set up a no cost strategy session with me HERE .

#The GreatResignation #The BigShift #Careerchange #Careercoachforwomen #BeYourOwnBoss #Careershift #Careers #Careercoach