The best career decision I ever made had nothing to do with career
Several months ago, after a non-stop career spanning four stints at 2 investment banks, two stints at Gap and time at Nike, VF Corporation and adidas lasting over 20-odd years, I knew I needed a break. I still thank the last two decades at these firms for incredible growth, amazing experiences and many great friendships, but 2018 was a tipping point - something needed to give, and work was an easy choice.
Since the first 24 hours off the job, I have had many moments to look back on the career I have been fortunate to have. I caught up on some reading as well and stumbled on a statement by Steve Maraboli, US Air Force vet and speaker - “It doesn't matter what you did or where you were...it matters where you are and what you're doing.”
Maraboli's statement was the best backdrop to my reflections in the early days of my sabbatical - one of the biggest gifts of stepping off the treadmill has been how I consciously spend my moments - where I am and what I am doing. Yep! The things I do now with my time and energy are the best reasons why I needed a break from the corporate world; all and any of the reasons that have to do with what I did or where I was back then are largely irrelevant and unimportant. Today, I devote and give just as much of myself, but to different things and, more willingly, more purposefully and much happily than before.
What, then, are some of these simple pleasures?
I discovered the woods and trails behind the house we lived in (that I did not know were there!) and am now taking time to...just...walk
I look forward to bantering with the children when dropping them off and picking them up from school
I experienced my son's joy with him when I taught him how to tie his shoe laces on his own, and my daughter's hourly commentary to losing her first tooth was a family journey too
My daughter started drawing me into her pictures because I was no longer "always working" and my son is leaving these heartfelt notes for me to find
We are starting to have those family meetings we always talked about and I have a healthier weight just by eating more meals with the family
I made tens of new friends in the young, optimistic minds at two amazing schools on two continents and have had incredibly profound exchanges with these young people
I am reading, thinking and writing more prolifically about areas where I already had passionate interest and expertise and also learning much more each day
I now get as much nightly sleep as I once used to back in 1978 :-)
Surprise! I found some balance, and I applaud and encourage those who have found or still seek ways to create their own.
Yep! The things I do now with my time and energy are the best reasons why I needed a break from the corporate world; all and any of the reasons that have to do with what I did or where I was back then are largely irrelevant and unimportant.
I have zero regrets about this opportunity to pit-stop and break the momentum and monotony of the career circuit. While my work and professional life is far from over, by any means, I know that, relishing what I have found, it's gonna be real hard to ever leave it for anything else.