In March 1999 it
finally happened to me. After seeing others experience it for the last
15 years, I had received my own pink slip.
Was this career crossroads a path to despair or a ticket to a brand new
chapter in my work life?
After discussions with my wife she gave me the support to carefully
explore my options. This was a real step of faith for both of us with
having no income and a small severance to provide for our two school age
children.
Fortunately,
several months earlier after becoming very dissatisfied with my current
work environment, I had already begun exploring the possibility of
offering organization and leadership development services to a growing
segment of our Upstate NY economy namely, small businesses. My wife had
also been contemplating returning to teaching after 11 years at home
raising our children. One of my favorite memories of this transition
period was celebrating our 15th
anniversary in San Francisco, a trip funded almost entirely from
frequent traveler points. We both welcomed the opportunity to get a new
perspective and while hidden away from the harsh reality of what was
happening we talked about our dreams, hopes and our fears in our career
and family pursuits. With the knowledge of such important decisions
needing to be made we knew the beautiful tranquility of our escape to
the Bay area was about to radically change.
The change in my
job status had profound changes in how I looked at “the second half” of
my career and the pursuits I had been longing to explore. I knew I was
to pursue developing leaders and their organizations. I also was
increasingly convicted that I had to somehow change my work setting.
Some days involved battling anxious thoughts, but through God’s grace we
were put at peace with the knowledge that we were completely free to
make the best choice.
Reflections
What were the circumstances that launched your entrepreneurial journey?
Quote
The entrepreneur is our visionary, the creator in each of us. We're born
with that quality and it defines our lives as we respond to what we see,
hear, feel, and experience. It is developed, nurtured, and given space
to flourish or is squelched, thwarted, without air or stimulation, and
dies.
… Michael Gerber
Looking Ahead
Next letter - My
Entrepreneurial Story – The Reality
