Are You Living Your Best Life?
Today I’d like you share with you a powerful conversation I had during a networking coffee last week. I have many conversations with individuals who are going through transition, however, this one stood out for me.
If this story resonates with you I encourage you to reach out to me and schedule a time to meet to uncover how You Can Start Living Your Best Life.
Due to the confidentiality of my coaching conversations I am changing his name to Tom for purposes of this story.
Tom shared with me that he is going through a career transition and is looking for a coach. As he started to tell his story there was something familiar about it. He started his career in the financial services industry and worked his way up the ranks over the years. Two years ago he was a manager, leading a team of individuals, making a good living and building financial security for his family. However, over the last few years he felt his happiness starting to dwindle.
Due to a company reorganization he was demoted from a manager to an individual contributor. He shifted from leading a team to being a peer of his team. A few months later there was yet another reorganization in which he was placed on a team – not by his choice – with a manager who was not a good fit. As the months went on he felt his energy slowly draining due to a conflicting management style of his new boss. As he told me his story I could see the energy draining from his face and it was also apparent in his body language. Slowly slumping into his chair as he continued.
Tom then shared he had a good mid-year review a few months ago. His manager said he was meeting expectations and was told to keep up the good work.
A month after his mid-year review his boss scheduled another meeting with him to have a more serious conversation with him about his career. It was a very “harsh” conversation and he did not know where this was coming from. After that conversation Tom walked out and realized he had 3 choices:
- Stay and continue to endure this energy draining environment
- Look for another position within the same company
- Leave
Two years ago he was asked to sign a retainer contract to stay through the reorganization. His 2 years were up and he decided to take option 3 and leave with a severance package.
Once he said he had left the energy started flowing back into his face. He started telling me about his true passion which is writing and how he used to write nearly every day but given the draining environment he just didn’t have the energy. Plus, he felt like his creativity was zapped.
Now, he feels happy, energized and excited about actively creating the next chapter of his life & career. What I want for Tom is to find a role which cultivates his passion for writing. We are just getting started so stay tuned.
What really resonated with me in Tom’ story is the enduring of an energy draining environment. This seems to be a common theme with many individuals I talk to and coach. But what is more striking is that he did not have the ENERGY or CREATIVITY to continue to cultivate his passion of writing. Once your passion fades away its time for a change.
Does your job support your DREAMS?
Does your job cultivate your PASSION?
Does your job allow you to Live Your Best Life?
If you answered NO to any of these questions, then it’s time to schedule your 30-minute complementary discovery session with me.
What I want for YOU is to Live Your Best Life.
With Gratitude,
Sarah Uchytil
Professional Certified Coach