DO WHAT YOU LOVE
There was a time when I distinctly felt unhappy, and yet, I was generally content with my family, my friends, with myself. I even liked most aspects of my work at a large tech corporation. I was good at finding creative solutions at my work and was learning from most projects I was taking on. My boss and stakeholders gave me high ratings and accommodated me working from home 2 days a week. I always tried to look at the bright side.
And yet, I was complaining to my husband and friends and colleagues and anyone who would listen about the work being unfulfilling in a deeper sense. I was craving to do great things in the world, and I had no idea what that could possibly be. I wanted my work to be worthwhile, to make an impact in some way.
Also, I wanted a more 'humane' lifestyle, where I could balance my time between work with my kids, cooking, exercising, reading, seeing friends. You know.. the good things. I was met with a lot of skepticism when I talked about this with colleagues and friends who were in the same boat. I felt naive to want these things. I tried a few different things, like teaching marketing research at night at SF State, wondering if that would be a more soul-filling route. It wasn't.
But I had a wild card in my pocket that I believe really helped me. As an immigrant and I had already experienced what it's like to drop everything and start fresh. I had experienced deep discomfort, worries, feeling out of place, and had made it to the other side. So I took a chance and started my coaching business, and allowed myself a long runway time to transition.
I'm sharing this because I believe I'm not alone in my desire to have a balanced life, one that allows for both my wellbeing and my ambitious personal goals.
If you feel dissatisfied, I encourage you to take the time and explore what you're feeling and what you are craving.
Stay in that discomfort and learn what is it that you're feeling drawn to. Skepticism will show up. Frustration will show up. Choose to stay optimistic. Take action. There is no better time than now to begin.
I often think of starting my business (I'm in year 3!) like tightrope walking: know where you're headed, but only focus on one step at a time, and do it excellently.
