What Would You Do If You Weren’t Afraid?
I’d like to share my personal story of how I answered this question and my life & career changes which have followed over the past four months.
On October 8, 2014, I attended the Lean In Conference in downtown Kansas City.
The Lean In organization is committed to offering women the ongoing inspiration and support to help them achieve their goals based on the best selling book Lean In by Sheryl Sanberg.
An hour into the meeting the facilitator asked the room of 200 women to break into groups of 5 and create our own mini Lean In Circles. After a few getting to know each other questions, the more thought provoking ones came and then came the most powerful question of all “What Would You Do If You Weren’t Afraid?”
After thinking about it and listening to the other women share their answer I had the courage to tell my group whom I’d just meet 10 minutes prior that I would quit my corporate job and coach full time.
I remember thinking “WOW!” Those words just came out of my mouth. This is something I’ve been thinking about for a long time but I just had the guts to say it out loud. I realized fear was holding me back.
All of the other women in my circle encouraged me to follow my passion. One woman said “Sarah, your face lights up when you start talking about coaching. You need to do it.”
Transitioning to full time coaching has been a dream of mine for the past 4 years. I knew I needed to have a solid foundation before I took the leap which included getting the best coaching education at Coach U and graduating from both the Core Essentials & Advanced Programs. I’ve also received my Associate Certified Coaching designation from the International Coaching Federation. During the past 4 years I’ve coached clients nights & weekends, created my website www.sarahucoach.com
I want to give a special THANK YOU to the 200 who received the first newsletter in March 2011. I am so GRATEFUL to all 1,053 of you who receive it today!
After the morning Lean In conference I drove back to my corporate job. Thinking more about What if I wasn’t afraid? What would it take for me to leave my job? What would my life be like as full time coach?
Then, I started visualizing my life. Getting crystal clear on what I really wanted.
Later that week I was having Chinese and my fortune cookie said New Financial Resources Will Soon Become Available to You. Hmmm. Is this a sign???
A few weeks later my employer announced the company needed to reduce the workforce by 2,000 positions and voluntary separation packages would be available.
WOW! Is this really be happening? Is this what I need to make the leap?
After more thought and consideration I scheduled a meeting with my director to discuss the option of voluntary separation. Going in to tell my director who I highly respect and had worked with for the past 10 years was very difficult and emotional.
I had a very good job. I worked with a team of amazing people who became my friends. I made very good money and had very nice benefits. But I knew this wasn’t my passion any more.
I knew I needed to follow my passion for coaching. I know this is my purpose in life is to help others live their best lives.
I told my director that I felt like I was sky diving. I was in the little plane, its 10,000 feet, the little door opens, the clouds are flying by and then its my turn to jump. He was very supportive and encouraged me to follow my dreams.
So I jumped. After 13 years at my corporate job I decided it was time for me to graduate and start the next chapter of my life and career. My last day was December 19, 2014 which ironically is only 2 days & 18 years from with my graduation date from Iowa State University December 21, 1996. Hmmm…another sign??
Now, January 27, 2015, I’ve been amazed with the coaching opportunities which keep presenting themselves to me. I’m coaching wonderful amazing new clients, talking about coaching to others who are thinking about becoming coaches, sharing my coaching message with prospective clients and creating new and exciting coaching presentations.
I do BELIEVE in the Law of Attraction. Once you create space in your life to ATTRACT what you really want it will start showing up.
So I ask you………………………
What Would You Do If You Weren’t Afraid?
I’d LOVE to hear your responses. Please email me at sarahucoach@gmail.com..
I’m happy to talk with you about your unique situation and help you uncover what is REALLY holding you back from living your best life with my January SPECIAL Offer.
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What I want for you is to LET GO of the FEAR and live the life you really want.
With Gratitude,
Coach Sarah