I have had the great blessing of working consistently as an entrepreneur and employee for the past 30 years. I know how rare that is. I’ve worked in five different industries in great companies with amazing people. I have learned, I have contributed and I have accomplished. My career has progressed, my businesses have been successful and I have grown as a person and a professional. I am humbled by the opportunities I’ve had in my career to date. I’ve seen a lot, done a lot and I was feeling the need to take a break.
In addition, for the past six years, I’ve added caregiving responsibilities to my resume. When my mother became ill six years ago, we knew she could no longer live on her own. I didn’t know how I was going to financially do it, but I knew she was now my responsibility. So, I moved her from Maryland to California and our journey together began. How would I care for the mother who had always taken care of me? My priorities shifted. Role reversals are hard. And when she was formally diagnosed with dementia two years ago, our journey became even harder.
I was starting to run on empty and I could feel it.
The Break
For the past two years, I worked out of state in Georgia. Deciding to leave my employer of 11 years to return back to California, was a major life decision for me, one that I felt compelled to make for both personal and professional reasons. I knew leaving a job without a job would be risky, but I needed get my bearings. The plan was to return home, give myself a 3-month break and then start looking for my next opportunity.
It was a good plan! My husband and I drove cross-country from Georgia to California, something I’d dreamed of doing for years. When we arrived back in California, he gave me a surprise birthday party. I took time to reconnect with family and friends. I walked five-miles everyday. I even went on a girl’s trip!
I really enjoyed having free time (which was now all the time) and allowing the process of “debriefing” to unfold. I’m a big believer that you need some time to emotionally close the door on your last position before opening the door to your next. Debriefing for me was about detangling myself from the company I’d loved for years and getting myself ready for my next chapter, even though I didn’t know what it was. What I didn’t expect was the deep valley I would have to walk through to get there.
The Valley
As much as I enjoyed having free time, I felt a little guilty about not working. I was used to a routine, a tight schedule and juggling a lot of balls at the same time. It’s what I did for 30 years! But, when I thought about going back to work, I knew I wasn’t ready. I needed more time. To do what? I wasn’t sure. I just knew I wasn’t ready to recommit my time or myself.
I knew my time off wasn’t a vacation. I wasn’t going back to work at my company. I was unemployed. I was out there on my own now. I was professionally “lost”. I began to question why a company would hire me. I couldn’t see the value I would bring. People told me just the opposite. They were so excited for me and the opportunities they saw in my future, but I was in a place I hadn’t been in 30 years and I didn’t believe them. Being unemployed, even if self-imposed, can really mess with your head. I had coached and supported thousands of people over my career, but now, I was the one who needed coaching and support. I was in the valley of personal transformation.
Then, I did something unusual for me. I financially invested in myself and joined an online career acceleration program. I’d never spent that kind of money on myself before. Was I crazy? I was unemployed! It was a bold decision, but it was just what I needed. They spoke to what was going on in my head and offered support and a very practical approach to getting a new position within 90 days. I had every intention of following the program, but I began to understand that I needed the program to help me find my path out of the valley. I needed help in seeing the value I bring in the context of me, not a company.
The Path Out
Several weeks later, I realized I had travelled quite a distance along the path. I felt good about updates to my resume and Linkedin profile. I started going to networking meetings hosted by an executive search firm. I met other talented professionals in career transition and had the great fortune of being introduced to professionals that offer their time and services to executives in transition. I never knew these resources existed. Like many others, when I was employed, I had been “heads down”, focused on where I worked and the people I worked with. You don’t see what’s available outside of your company because you don’t have a need for it. Now I did. As I reached the top of the hill, I saw a whole new world opening up to me!
I had been very generic in the position I was seeking and in my approach in finding it. I didn’t stand out. I blended in. I was hopeful that my experience would jump out in a pool of other talented professionals. I was hopeful the automated tracking systems would find me! I was networking and meeting a lot of great people, but I didn’t have a clear focus. I knew I wasn’t really serious about my job search. I was still searching for something else. Something was stirring in me and it was getting stronger and stronger. I was becoming more and more uncomfortable. What was it?
The Breakthrough
After I attended a free 4-week program for executives, things started to become clearer. I took a step back and asked myself, “what’s the real value I’ve contributed over my career?” Wow! I realized that I have a 30-year history of challenging the status quo, providing creative solutions, facilitating results and effectively coaching on all levels. I pulled back from my job search, got very quiet and began brainstorming my options.
My future was a blank slate. I’ve never considered myself a career HR professional. My perspective on HR has always been different. I am a businessperson with HR expertise and there is a difference. With experience as both an entrepreneur and an employee, I know how important HR is to the successful operation of a business, but I’ve always been more interested in how HR can be innovative and influence business growth. I believe there is a great need and a great benefit to challenging the way HR is practiced in organizations.
Could this be time to start a business venture? I had a successful consulting business in the mid-90’s when I had 25% of the experience I have now fueled by 100% confidence and tenacity. I have so much more to offer now. Why not?
The Future
So, I went to work creating my new business venture, Doing HR Differently. I enjoy the process of creation because it is hopeful, energizing and full of possibilities. I don’t know whether it will be my full-time focus or a part-time passion, but I’m excited, the first time in a long time! No matter how this evolves, I have contributions to make, ideas to share and support to give! I’m going to continue to do what I do well!
Doing HR Differently will always be evolving and always be a work in progress. As long as business is changing, we’ll keep asking how can we do HR differently? Here we go!!!
Terri D. Wilson, Founder & CEO Doing HR Differently
You never travel alone on a journey. Thank you all for being a part of my travel team.
To the song that keeps me focused. “Do it Again” by Elevation Worship
To my family and friends, I love you! You are my strong foundation!
To all the new friends I’ve met through networking, you are an inspiration! Thank you for your time, your wisdom and your support! Your “next opportunity” is closer than you think!
To the wonderful organizations that have supported me, thank you for your generousity.
- Career Attraction
- McDermott & Bull and Networking Meeting Facilitators
- All-Star Coaching
- Platinum Resource Group
- West Coast Center for Positive Change
- Continuum Consulting Group
- Career Arc
- One Red Pen