Listening to my Hart: A Lesson in Career Carpentry

In April of 2021 I lost my Grandfather Hartley.?Hartley was a lawyer – he was a good lawyer.?His older brother Syd was a great lawyer. Making it to the top of his field on the Court of Appeal.?Grampy always admired his older brother for rising the ranks in their field and becoming a force in Canadian Law.?However, Grampy built his proverbial house a little differently.?Grampy built his house on pillars of career success but also on family, hobbies (his love of sailing and Algonquin Park), his friends, reading the paper with his breakfast every morning, all while becoming a master woodworker and a wonderful husband.?Grampy never EVER missed an event big or small – a school concert, a graduation, a birthday – never missed finding the balance in life.

When I first went to start my own company at 26 I had made the “impractical” decision to quit my job at L’Oreal and go off on my own. My practical Grampy discouraged me but also opened the door when I asked to move in while I got on my feet.?I spent the next 5 years building my business – creating my house almost entirely on one singular pillar – work.?My mood, health and overall happiness all seemed to balance on how good or bad that quarter was with my business – the rollercoaster of the wins versus the losses.?

I’ve spent the last couple of years renovating my house – building my pillars – focusing on my friends, my dog, my hobbies, my family and being lucky enough to have two babies in the process.?This renovation led me to a new endeavor.?One where I get to surround myself by smart, motivated people and not feel like I’m in it alone.?This step back has made me realize that the best work can come from balance, and that having many pillars to stand on makes me better, clearer, less impulsive and more creative.

Now – in 2022 I am part of a team where I get to do what I love without taking on all of the pressure alone and with more of the balance.?I am building a house that Hartley would be proud of.