Recently, I accepted a wonderful job offer after having been unemployed and income-less for more than 5 months. I am as excited as I am relieved to be starting this great new adventure, but not a little terrified too.
You see, I worked for the same company for 22 years. I guess that makes me highly risk-adverse. Clearly, I prize security (ha!) and comfort over career growth and stimulation. It wasn’t my choice to leave said company, but in their infinite wisdom, they decided it was right to eliminate my job.
When it first happened, a friend told me that sometimes we are put in uncomfortable positions so we can move to the next level. There must be something else out there I am supposed to be doing, she guessed, but have not taken the risk to do so because I was too comfortable where I was. Not necessarily happy … but comfortable. And then she reminded me that the mother eagle teaches her baby how to fly by literally pushing it out of the nest. Sometimes, we just need that extra push.
So here I am, at the threshold of my next significant risk. I asked for the big job, and wouldn’t you know it, I got it. It didn’t completely surprise me when I got the job offer. The Big One, with a fancy title and better salary and bonus, from a big global company. No, it didn’t surprise me, but it did give me pause, for now I have to live up to all the accolades I anointed myself with during my job search. Getting the job was frankly the easy part – now comes the real test. Can I really do this? Am I worthy of the respect and trust that’s been placed in me? Now I have to deliver the goods. Gulp.
Randy Foster is a confused communications professional who was recently laid off from her job of 22 years, and thus unemployed for the first time in 34 years. She has no earthly idea what she wants to do with the rest of her life, but figured things can't get any riskier, so what the hell. Randy is also the single mother of a very high maintenance teen-aged daughter who remains the greatest risk of all.
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We’re all behind you, Randy. You can do it!
Randy, There isn’t a doubt in my mind that you are fully capable of excelling in this new situation.It’s normal to have self-doubts. If we don’t let them cripple us, those doubts can push us forward to do the great things that we are called to do. You got pushed out of your comfort zone. It was time. You will be invigorated by these new challenges and your self-doubts will turn into pride of accomplishment. You may find that this new endeavor gives you the momentum to make other good changes in your life. I envy you. You have earned this and you deserve it.
Time to change your bio!!!
Congratulations on the new job.
Rock on, Randy. Congratulations! And the amazing qualities they saw in you… it’s real, my friend, it’s real.