You are probably looking for those 5 things to do, 7 simple steps kind of article to make this choice. Let me tell you whether it is 5 or 7 or 8 it does not matter.
I bet that lot of you have had this thought sometime or the other in your life. Should I continue to follow the trend, get a job and continue to look for that growth within my organization or perhaps change to a different organization and do the same thing in a different organization or should I take that bold move to be an Entrepreneur. (How many of you have wondered about your abilities, your age and thinking is this the right time to do it. Do I have it in me?)
Some of you would have made that choice and some of you are probably sitting on the edge of your seats biting your nails to see how others are faring, how the market is, thinking I’ll do it once I become whatever role title that you are attracted to. You are waiting for that golden moment to come where a message is delivered to you stating now is that time for you to switch. Let me tell you there is no such thing as a special golden moment. (Lesson #1 – Every moment is a golden opportunity).
I had similar thoughts after spending about 20 years in a corporate job as a Computer Science Engineer. Coming from a middle class conservative family I was happy with the way things were – nice education, job, family, good position, money, and couple of houses. Yeah, I bought two houses with the mind set of one for my daughter and one for my son (Lucky for me I did not know the person who lived down the lane). Little did I realize that may not be required (Lesson #2 – Involve your family in decision making). When I bought the house they did not say anxiety and worry was free along with it. There you have it. After escaping it for almost two decades of my work life I fell into that trap of EMI and loans.
So I worked harder, looked for that growth, wanted to do something different. I enrolled for my Masters in Psychology and Diploma in counselling. (By the way, this was also the time I enrolled for tennis and taekwondo. Just in case…). All of this took me to this nice corner bed in a hospital due to transient attack (first EMI, now health – what next?). Doctor said it was because of stress. (Lesson #3 – Listen to your body and take care of your health) Lying there I was staring at the hospital wall where this movie was running “My Life”. At the intermission, I realized it was boring, there was no meaning and that is when I decided I cannot live like this. One question that bothered me “How do I want to be remembered after I am gone?” No, I was not thinking of any drastic steps.
I was wondering what to do? How can I bring a twist in the tale so the second half of the movie can be made interesting? I decided at that time that I will work for next 20 years, out of which last 10 would be more like a part time consultant. This was when I realized my purpose and found my passion. You can say the new version of me was born that day. (I wonder if I should celebrate this as my second birthday)
When I got discharged I went back to the corporate job only this time I chose to come out of Engineering and spent another 5 years in people development space. I realized I was enjoying this. (Maybe, that visit to the hospital was the universe telling me I had sent you many messages you would not listen so I had to send you a strong message). It brought back meaning to my life. (Lesson #4 – Listen to your inner self).
The 5 years in people development taught me a lot about behavior and mind sets. I also did a lot of courses and certifications related to behavioral science. When I decided to pursue this path I was not worried about whether I have the ability to do it. Once I got the clarity of what and why I wanted to do I figured out the how to do it part. (Lesson #5 – Figure out the “Why” first and then you will figure out the “How”)
The one thing, of course, that I could not crack was the mind-set of the management. So I decided to move out of corporate and be on my own. (Lesson #6 – Just do it)
When I made that decision and was going through my emotions, lot of thoughts surfaced. Am I doing the right thing? What will happen? How will I take care of my family? Oh my god – my children’s education, marriage…..It does not matter whether they are in kindergarten or in high school, this thought will come to you. All of this will only kindle that fear in you. It is a test to see if you are really passionate about what you have chosen. I too got a lot of advice and suggestions to not go ahead with this move, to think about all the questions I had asked myself earlier and to not rock the boat when the going was smooth. However, I never felt satisfied and refused to live the same way (Lesson #7 – Continue to listen to your inner self).
I took all this in my stride and finally decided and moved out of corporate life. Freedom, excitement, a great sense of accomplishment for having made that decision coupled with anxiety of what the heck am I going to do plagued my days and nights. Luckily, I had couple of well-wishers who encouraged me and gave me confidence that this is all for good. I then started connecting with more people to learn and see how things worked (Lesson #8 – Network and build relationships).
Today I have been practicing on my own since last 5 years and thoroughly enjoying it. I like the way the second half of the movie is progressing. I am yet to reach the lived happily ever after stage but I know I am on the right path to achieve that. Picture ‘abhi baakhi hai’ (Lesson #9 – Decide and learn to be happy with your decision)
For those who still want that 9 steps approach, here is a summary of the lessons that I learnt and that worked for me.
#1 – Every moment is a golden opportunity
#2 – Involve your family in decision making
#3 – Listen to your body and take care of your health
#4 – Listen to your inner self
#5 – Figure out the “Why” first and then you will figure out the “How”
#6 – Just do it
#7 – Continue to listen to your inner self
#8 – Network and build relationships
#9 – Decide and learn to be happy with your decision
