Clarity is a Bitch!

Our focus this month is what we do well. It’s all about waking ourselves up to our natural talents, unearthing the skills we’ve developed over the years that give us energy, and standing back from our life and identifying what really peaks our interests so we can tap into our natural passions. This chapter excites me because it has allowed me to make some very important career decisions over the last few years.

I started the Positive Change Network (PCN) five years ago. I was a struggling entrepreneur and was contacted to do some contract work at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. While my work at PCN was feeding my soul, it wasn’t yet filling up my pocketbook. So, I committed to work at the foundation for a short period of time. After a few months in a part-time contract role, I was approached to take a full-time role. After much contemplation and discussion, I put my work at PCN on hold to join the important work of the foundation for one year.

Fast forward three years later and I was still at the foundation. I had been privileged to work with amazing people, I’d had the opportunity to play numerous roles so my learning was at a constant clip, and the content touched my heart on a deep personal level. Yet, over time I felt I was losing myself and was contemplating the right time to return to my work at PCN.

As I was thinking about leaving my day job after three rewarding years, the foundation was experiencing massive transitions. And as part of all this movement, I was offered the job of a lifetime. My manager and I both knew it was only a matter of time before I transitioned, which made me a perfect candidate for the job in question for a multitude of reasons. But, I was feeling more and more incongruent as my tenure continued and it was finally apparent my work was done. I was at a crossroad. It was time to check my ego at the door, and listen to my own voice.

I turned the job down - twice. It became apparent I was moving further and further away from what I do well and my passions. My strengths – like muscles – were starting to atrophy and my talents were becoming a shadow in my former self. I wasn’t happy, my engagement was suffering, and there was a calling waiting to be fulfilled.

My boss finally asked me why I turned this important job down I said, “Clarity is a bitch! Once you know why you’re here and what you’re supposed to do, moving too far off path becomes unacceptable. It’s time to return to my life’s work.”

As I think about this experience, it reminds me why I love this chapter so much. When I reached the crossroad, I took the path of empowerment and fulfillment. I am so excited to offer this gift to others.