Happy Motivation Monday!
Today we are talking about how to resign from you job and do what you love!
Reflecting on the past year as an entrepreneur, despite the hardships everyone (and their mom) forewarned me about, I wouldn’t trade this past year for a 9-5 mundane office job.
“It’s going to be hard.”
“Most businesses fail.”
“You’ll have no life.”
But despite the Negative Nancy’s and Debbie Downers, I put my head down myself, fixed my eyes forward, and knew, if anything, I was following my passion:
On a mission to spread a message that you DON’T have to settle in life, and on a mission to change lives through nutrition, balanced lifestyles and holistic healing from the inside out.
As cliché as it may sound, I am living out my calling—at least in part. While I still have LOTS of ambitions (like opening a Thrive Wellness & Recovery Center, and publishing several books), it all coincides with what I am doing today.
My question to you is this:
Are you doing what it is you are called to do?
And if not, why not?
Do you find yourself day-dreaming and WISHING you were doing what you were called to do?
Doodling or list-making what you envision for your future?
Coming home, day in and day out, and letting out a big sigh—you made it through another day, but are not completely satisfied?
Job searching or continually networking on LinkdIn and your social media for potential new outlets, paths, careers?
Thinking: “One day I will…”
Your calling does not necessarily have to involve your job either—the thing you do to ‘pay the bills’ but it DOES involve you’re here and now—how you spend your time, your energy, the choices and decisions you make on a daily basis, how you spend your money, the people you choose to be around, the outside ‘activities’ and hobbies in which you engage, the way you approach each and every day of opportunity.
My prayer for each of you is that you connect with what it is you were created to do, and that you don’t cut yourself short by wishing your life away for change and ‘kid like’ dreams that you secretly doubt will ever really happen.
Life is what you make it, and if you can imagine it, if you can see it…you CAN do it and achieve it.
No rah, rah pep-talk here.
More than anything—stop sitting on your hands or thinking “What if?”
Instead, get out there and let greatness unfold.
Today is a brand new day of opportunity to take ONE small step in pursuit of a bigger passion or goal.
Want to write a book? Begin with your outline or researching publishing companies today.
Want a work environment that inspires and spurs you on to be a well-rounded individual? Send out your resume and cover letter to one potential company that aligns with your heart today.
Want to feel good in your own skin? Drink that extra water you’ve been intending to drink; eat a dinner of meat, veggies and healthy fats; move in a way that builds your body up—doesn’t break it down; drop into a yoga class; speak (aloud) a self-affirmation.
The time is now.
I recently sat down with a client of mine for a 1:1 Passion Planning session—talking vision here.
“Where do you want to be in 2017?” I asked her.
“I want to be cooking, blogging, sharing my education and passion for real-foods nutrition with others,” she said—this a seemingly far cry from where she felt like she was today: more or less, ‘stuck.’
Together, we began to brainstorm key action steps for moving towards that vision (for where there is vision, the heart, feet and action can follow).
Her first assignment?
Action Step 1: Instagram the heck out of her meal-prep and cooking creations this next week
Action Step 2: Reach out to two different local communities or businesses this week for the potential of leading a workshop or seminar on a nutrition topic she is passionate about.
Boom.
It’s as simple as that my friends: Put action to your vision and DAY BY DAY, you are going to get there.
On the job front, move to Austin! (ha, no actually don’t move here—this city is getting packed!).
However, I did stumble across this article in the Austin Business Journal this past week boasting Austin’s incredible job market and find it enlivening to live in a progressive environment where growth and entrepreneurship are the norm:
- Austin ranked 14th in the nation for job opportunities, calculated by dividing the number of job openings by the number of unemployed residents;
- The city’s unemployment rate, which held steady at 3.3 percent last month, was sixth best in the nation;
- The monthly median starting salary, adjusted for cost of living, is $3,147 in Austin, also sixth best in the U.S.;
- Austin’s median annual income, $58,368 ranks 17th nationally;
While you may not live in my favorite city on earth, become a beacon of light in your own city by aligning your actions, pursuits and daily to-dos with the gifts, talents, passions and visions you (individually) have been called to do.
God made us all 100% unique, and thank God there are engineers, mechanics, plumbers and accountants in the world, because I would be good at NONE of those things.
Ultimately, as I keep my eyes fixed on Him and ask Him to simply guide and direct my steps, I find more fun and adventure in an otherwise daunting process.
And, if you’re considering a job change, check out these top etiquette tips for gracefully leaving your job (and pursuing what it is you were made to do):
Finding Your Dream Job
“Dream job” is a lucrative phrase.
From the time you were a kid, you’ve probably thought off and on about what it is you WANT to do (the grass is always greener on the other side).
When I talk about your dream job here, it can mean a few different things, including:
- doing something you’re good at
- doing something you’re interested in
- achieving an ambition like earning lots of money or travelling the world.
Here are a few ideas to get those child-like juices flowing again:
- Make a list of your top passions and interests: what are the things you find yourself talking about, thinking about, dreaming about? The things you would do—regardless of if anyone paid your are not.
- Next, make a list of things you are good at—naturally. Be it writing, basket weaving, connecting with people, money, strategizing, thinking analytically, etc.
- Then, write out anything you’ve LIKED about jobs you’ve had—from flexibility, independence, freelance work, having a schedule.
- Lastly, make a list of anything you’ve DISLIKED about a job you’ve been in (overbearing bosses, crazy hours and expectations, etc.)
Now you can go to the drawing boards.
Take a good long hard look at the list you made…and begin to think outside the box.
What types of work environments, missions, internal structures, benefits, etc. do you need or want in your job?
Do some research of companies, businesses, or IDEAS (entrepreneurship here people) that interest you and align with some of your list likes and musts.
Then…no time like the present: Begin the pursuit!
As my dad used to say, “You can’t do any fishing (or swimming) if you don’t get off the bank.”
So put yourself out there!
A couple great pieces of advice from Forbes?
- Apply for jobs that are never listed…by connecting with extraordinary people from all walks of life. Most of the really great jobs are filled before companies even think to post them on Craigslist or other job sites. Overall, the interviewing process is tedious and if 50 people interview, 49 are going to be deflated and only one elated. How many times have we interviewed for a job we knew was not right for us and yet we were still devastated when we weren’t called back for the next round? It’s like a beauty pageant gone terribly wrong.
- Skills always win…yes, even over likability, charisma, and charm. Develop mastery in your chosen profession so you will continue to create job opportunities throughout your entire life. Companies will always need people who can deliver strong results. Great companies hire good people who are willing to learn and who are not afraid to educate themselves. There is a wealth of learning available to you – on and off the Internet.
- Don’t rely on your résumé…too much. A résumé is a good first step to get your foot in the door and describe what you’ve accomplished in your career. But showing is better than telling. Create a portfolio that represents who you are and what you stand for, which you can add to LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. Those are the places where hiring professionals will go to check you out, anyway.
Snaps Forbes, snaps.
As for resigning from your current job…
6 Gold Standard Etiquette Tips for Leaving Your Current Job
- Write your resignation letter. Think of it more like a brief thank you note. Express your gratitude for having had the opportunity to work at XYZ company and with your boss, and include the date of your last day on the job.
- 2-Weeks. Before ducking out, you know the etiquette drill: At least 2-weeks of notice. Why? Consider the referrals you may want in the future, and in general, the reputation and impression you want to leave behind.
- Face to face. Quit in person and bring your resignation letter along with you. If your boss does not work in your office, schedule a phone Skype appointment and follow up with a brief email, including your resignation letter.
- Be consistent. Put some thought into your departure “story.” Think how you will explain your leaving to others, like your co-workers. Whatever reasons you provide, keep your story consistent and positive (not negative or gossipy).
- Think about the details. Plan how you’ll transfer your old duties. Don’t leave your boss overwhelmed with unfinished work. Determine a transition plan for your responsibilities and any unfinished projects. Even consider creating a list with your recommendations on how your work can be shifted to others in the department until your position is filled.
- Finish strong. You want to leave on a good note—be ‘the one who got away.’ Work as hard as you can through your final day.
Go get em tiger!