These shifts changed everything.

A couple weeks before I returned to corporate life from mental health leave, I?went onsite for a check-in with my primary care doc (because of course my doctor is at the office). I visited?the gym on the way out?since it was the closest to where I lived and worked. It had everything I needed for my track and field training. Then I stopped in the cafeteria for breakfast?and remembered how valuable it was to have access to?healthy food options for all three meals.?

That's when I had realization #1: Work is helping me achieve a life goal.?

Why would I leave to become a full-time entrepreneur -- what I thought I wanted --?when work was?helping me do something I never thought I'd do again? That's unadulterated foolishness!?

The more I thought about it, the more appealing the idea of returning to work became. I wondered how else it could help me achieve life goals or create the necessary space. The way I thought about the 9 to 5 completely shifted.

I?also knew I never wanted to feel the way I felt when I went out.?

And that's when I had realization #2: I have to set boundaries. My wellbeing depends on it.?

Not all motivation sources need to be positive. Knowing how you don't wanna feel can be just as powerful and motivating (if not more) than knowing how you wanna feel.?

I didn't wanna feel like shit.?And if I didn't learn to set and stick to my boundaries inside and outside of work, I'd increase the likelihood of feeling that way. I'd take more work than I knew I could handle, commit to things I wasn't really interested in, be around people I didn't wanna be around,?and spend money to do stuff I didn't really wanna do. All while getting triggered along the way.?

So when I returned to work, I was very clear and intentional about my workload and?the projects I wanted to work on. Drifting aimlessly wasn't an option. I'd ask for what I wanted, say what was on my mind, and disagree when necessary. Because part of my boundaries included not shrinking.

And here's the thing: It was easy. I felt so strongly about what I?wanted (to not feel how I felt before) that most choices became very black and white; this serves me or it doesn't.?

To change,?you have to want something else more than your current state. Once you do, the decisions and actions become easier.

Next time I'll share one of the most impactful career conversations I've had, and how you can apply the advice in your life.?

Until then, be well!