October 2, 2013

Follow Your Passion


Since losing my dad a few years ago, I've become a firm, and I mean firm, believer that everything happens for a reason. As cliche as it may sound and as much as some of you may or may not believe it, it's true. 

I'm also a believer in the perfect timing.

You may remember back in May I quit my job of 4 years in the alternative healthcare industry to join an innovative startup company in the healthcare technology field. (If you don't remember, I'll forgive you...just go with it.)

Well...a short 5 months have come and gone and lo and behold, I recently received a little phone call from my old company regarding a "quick meeting" and what I soon found out to be, the job offer of my dreams.

Not that I've hated or regretted my decision to join the startup company, because in the quick 5 months I've been here I've already learned SO much that I would have never learned about my old/new company, but I started to find myself considering it a "just a job", and not a career. I didn't hate it, but then again, I didn't love it and if you know me, you know it's incredibly uncharacteristic of me to not eat, sleep and breathe my career.

Something inside me always told me I'd be back at my old company. Something inside me missed doing what I was so incredibly passionate about. So that something inside me told me to swallow my pride and go back home; go back to my roots...where I bleed natural approaches to health, wellness, nutrition and fitness...where I thrive in such a creative, intelligent environment and where the culture just suits me to the core.

Leaving a company is never easy, whether you've been there 4 years or 5 months. Trust me, I've turned in resignation letters not once, but twice, this year alone and it hasn't been fun. Trust me, if I could ever figure out a way to avoid the utter awkward feeling that follows the day you turn in your notice, I would...

I don't even know if this is even making sense but what I, personally, have learned throughout all of this is the simple fact that no matter where you work, you're going to put up with things you don't necessarily love. There are going to be projects you hate, decisions you think are dumber than the invention of the shake weight, rules you disagree with, people you don't necessarily "click" with, situations that make you incredibly uncomfortable and just certain things that really press your buttons. So...if you're going to put up with stressful projects, decisions that don't make sense to you, the inevitable "company rules, regulations and procedures", people who may not be your best friend or downright awkward situations, you might as well do it with a company and within an industry that you're most passionate about.

What I've also learned, what I hope I can continue to remind myself  years from now and if there is anything you take from all of this...is the fact that there is no amount of money that can pay you to do something you're not happy doing. At least not me, anyways.

I hope this inspires those of you who are out there getting paid just get paid.

Get out there and do what you can't help but love.
Do what you're passionate about.
Do what you're obsessed with.
Do something that excites you.
Do something that fuels your inner fire.
And when you do, do it with all of your heart.

So there. I took the leap, I explored other opportunities but it's time to return to what I love most.

Oh, and if there's one more thing you take from this today, let it be that you will always, always, leave a company on really good terms. ;)

And that's all the wisdom I have for today. Cheers to following your heart, finding your passion and second chances!


24 comments:

  1. That's so awesome Stephanie. I know it can be hard to start one thing and then seemingly take a step back and give up on what you're doing when it feels like you just started, but it's all just part of the steps you were meant to take. Especially since you say it's your dream job offer! I so agree that there is no amount of money that can make you work at a job you hate. I once worked at a finance company making more money than I've ever made and I hated it so much, I quit and became a personal trainer. Your passion is very inspiring to others, thanks for sharing! Can't wait to hear more about your new journey!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am so excited for you to get back to what you love doing! I remember you before being so passionate about that Hotze center that I'm pretty sure I even got my 15 year old sister to like their fb page once haha! Anyway, so happy for you friend and GREAT POST about doing what you love! I also work in the healthcare industry for EMR Software and since leaving Dell - it is the best thing that's ever happened to me. So rewarding! Enjoy your new opportunity at Hotze girl!! xo

    ReplyDelete
  3. Preach it sista! Congrats on the opportunity to go back to where you love!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Good for you girl! Can't wait to hear the deets of the new dream job with the old company! Best wishes!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. The fact that this is your post today just blows my mind. I applied recently for my "dream job" but have been teetering on the fence with it bc it is in a whole other state. Your message just solidified my decision that if God grants me the opportunity of an interview. I'm taking the bull by the horns and running with it! So thank you! And congrats on getting your dream job offer!

    ReplyDelete
  6. congrats to you!! It is sometimes hard following our dreams and passions, do to financial restraints, but props to all those who can. So happy for you! :) Cant wait to hear more info about this dream job with your old company :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. UMM... Okay creepy. I pretty much blogged the same thing! Check it out girlfrann!! http://thelittlebarrasfamily.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  8. Congratulations! It's gotta be hard to do, but I'm glad you're getting back to what you love. Excited to hear more about it!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Congratulations on your bigger an better opportunity! My struggle with my current job is just that, its a job. good luck going back with your old company!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Congrats! Such exciting news!

    Both my husband and I left our jobs in the past few months for new ventures and both of us count our blessings every day that we made the decision to "make a break for it" and follow our hearts and are so much happier/healthier because of it.

    ReplyDelete
  11. That is great news, congrats! Sometimes you just have to chalk it up to a great experience and know that, like you said, it happened for a reason, maybe to give you a minute to breathe and realize that it was really where you were supposed to be. I think in a lot of situations its hard to really appreciate and understand how blessed we are until we take a step back. That is so awesome that you get to go back and do what you love!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Congrats! Congrats! Congrats! I too am a firm believe that you should love what you do - you spend too much time at work not to. However, with that said, I am guilty of not loving what I'm doing and sticking with a job because it's comfortable & there's a steady paycheck coming in. I've been looking on & off the last couple of months & job searching is hard work! This gives me motivation (& hope) to find something that I truly do enjoy. I have other friends who are going through similar situations & are finding potential jobs that they will love - that too gives me hope! The fact that your old company called you back speaks volumes about how they feel about you & that's awesome!!! Congrats again girly!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Congrats! It's such a incredible feeling getting to do what you love. If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Only if I wasn't pregnant...I am so ready to do something I am passionate about and am stuck in a boring rut at my current job. I have been here for 9 years and it will be utterly dramatic and so hard to take a leap, but I know it has to be done for ME. :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. love this post because something so similar just happened to me. I left my stable job of 3.5 years to do something TOTALLY different only to stay at the new place for less than 3 months because I got the call I've been waiting for from my alma mater asking me to come work for them! Yay for great opportunities and dreams come true!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Very good post!! Couldn't be more true!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. That is so awesome! I feel the exact same way about quitting jobs it is so hard and awkward. Glad you are making a choice that makes you happy :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Congrats!! That is so exciting! It's funny that you mention this because yesterday I was reading old blog posts (stalker much?) and came across The Bargain Blonde's make that money link up and saw your post on there ;)

    ReplyDelete
  19. this is SO GREAT STEPH!! I am so proud and happy for you!! :D and thats also so amazing that youve learned so much at your current job....and who knows...skills you learned there may carry on with you forever!!!

    im a firm believer in following your heart as far as careers/jobs! So excited for you to be back doing what you love

    xoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
  20. Thanks oh so much for sharing. I am taking a new job in a new city next month and am terrified with the unknowns! Knowing others have taken the leap and have been successful makes my transition so much easier!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Congrats! Sounds like a good decision. Will you miss wearing colorful outfits?

    ReplyDelete
  22. I meant to comment on this yesterday but I was on my phone and it was acting funny. Anyway i adore this post from you. this resonates so much with me right now and i can't tell you how much I appreciate this post.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Amen sister!!! What was the job they offered you?

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hey Stephanie,

    What you said about "there is no amount of money that can pay you to do something you're not happy doing." is very true! I worked as an auditor for 1.5 years. And no matter how much I forced myself to do it, I just can't.

    I'm studying animation now. Hopefully to be an animator in the future.

    Cheers to passion! :)

    ReplyDelete

I love hearing from my readers! I read each and every comment left on my blog. If you have a specific question, feel free to email me at snhoward16@gmail.com.

Also, please make sure your email address is set up with your profile so that I am able to respond to you. xoxo

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...