A couple of years ago, I began feeling really stuck.
Before then, I faced challenges but I was always able to push through, find new opportunities and create a generally satisfying life for myself. It wasn’t always easy but I just kept moving forward.
Until I got stuck.
I was in a good job with a nice company. My colleagues were great. The pay was nice and I had underground parking (which, during the brutal winters in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada is a really nice perk). From the outside, it looked great. I was fortunate.
I was miserable. I knew I had so much more to offer the world and I just wasn’t able to do it in this job. I was exhausted at the end of each day and I hated Mondays more than usual. I was frustrated and mad and blaming others for my misery.
To be honest, I stayed miserable for a long time.
Then one of my colleagues introduced me to a book The Five Second Rule by Mel Robbins. The main gist of the five second rule is to take action before you can talk yourself out of it.
There are two things that stood out for me from the book and Robbins’ videos:
1. You will never feel like it
2. No one is coming to save you.
In addition, my dad had been diagnosed with cancer and it reminded me how short life can be. I could not continue in the misery.
I realized, no one would change things for me. Sure, I could wait for a promotion or find a new job in another nice company. I could also keep buying lottery tickets and keep my fingers crossed. Those things were no guarantee and I couldn’t wait anymore.
So I left. My dad, who is 70 and an entrepreneur, had been asking me to come and work with him. I agreed on the condition that I would be able to start my own business. I left my cushy paycheque, my nice office, my great colleagues and warm parking spot to enter the unknown. I was scared about finances and about what opportunities I might be giving up, but I did it anyway.
Last year I took a Graduate Certificate in Executive Coaching from Royal Roads University. I did a lot of coaching and received a lot of coaching in return. I started working with clients across Canada. In early 2020, I incorporated my own company, Ellevate Executive Coaching and now I’m launching my website.
I wonder all the time. Will I be able to make a living at this coaching business? Am I adding value for my dad’s business?
But there are some things I know for sure. I am no longer miserable. When I coach people, they feel more confident, calm and empowered to make their own changes. Making people feel seen, heard and understood is purposeful and I can’t wait to help others.