Wow, I can’t believe it’s been 2 months since I quit my job. This seems like an appropriate time to pause, reflect, and assess what I’ve accomplished and where I’m going.
When I quit my job, the journey was really more about getting back to ME. Somewhere along the way I’d lost touch with Debbie, and I miss her. Somewhere along the way my identity got entangled with “what” I do for a living vs. “who” I am as a person.
I don’t know if all Sales People relate, but I became obsessed with hitting my quota (an artificial, inflated number set by Sales Leaders to make hamsters run faster on a wheel). Not only did I want to hit Quota—but I wanted to be number 1. The other side of this ugly monster was fear of missing my number, fear of being fired, fear of not doing good enough. Needless to say I always felt stressed out, tired, and constantly shot up with adrenaline (especially at the end of the month when you’re trying to convince all of your “hot” prospects to close by a made-up deadline). I just felt like all the joy had been sucked out of my life – and I’m the first to admit, I was doing this to myself – no one else was doing it to me. Even when I wasn’t at work, it constantly consumed my thoughts, my focus and energy.
Looking back now I think my biggest fear in quitting my job was “who would I be”? I’d created this successful sales persona for myself and I was very attached to it. If that was lifted – what would be left?
I’m happy to report in the last couple of months I’ve found the answer to the question, “who would I be” – and it’s simple. I can be anything I want to be at any time, and boy does that feel awesome!
So what have I been up to? A LOT!
Business woman — I want to create passive income streams to replace my former salary. My first project was to get our house ready and set up for vacation rental. I’m so thrilled to report I have the process all set up and in place, and today, our very first vacation renters are staying at Playa del Dragon. A family of four from Houston is staying for the week to enjoy Lake Travis and the Hill Country; I’m both excited and nervous. We have future rentals scheduled through the end of the year. It was amazing how this project just flowed easily and effortlessly.
Investor – This has been a busy area as well. Earlier in the year I started taking a Stock Trading class. I’m a slow learner, but I’ve kept at it and have been paper trading (like using monopoly money) for the last 6 weeks. On average I’ve been making about $500/day with my monopoly money, soon I’ll take the training wheels off and trade with MY money. We’re also selling 3 of our rental properties. I coordinated a partial remodel on a duplex we have, sold one rental working with a young couple on a rent-to-own option, and unfortunately I have to do an eviction on the 3rd, which is never any fun. I’m going to court on Tuesday, so wish me luck. I’ll then get it cleaned up and ready to sell in September.
Person – this is the area that’s most important. I’m excited about life and having fun again. I had a huge realization on July 31st (sales people know these days all to well, the last day of the month). I was calm, happy, relaxed and feeling no stress or pressure – what an amazing feeling! I’ve been taking care of me, making those Dr. and dental appointments that I kept putting off when I was working. I’ve been meditating and actually having a lot of fun doing manual labor. I guess I’m just wired funny, one of my fondest memories from my youth was working on my Uncles farm, I actually loved working in the hay field. So it’s been fun getting dirty and sweaty vs. sitting in a cubicle all day. I’ve enjoyed more time with friends and family. For many of us, our childhood leaves clues – what did we love as a child. One of the things I loved was going to the Missouri State Fair each year. I’m thrilled to be going back next week and can’t wait to see Alabama in concert.
“Who am I” is going to evolve. I’m looking forward to try on RV explorer, wildlife rescuer, RAGBRAI biker, boat driver, entrepreneur, Floridian Snowbird, Family Reunion planner, Fly Fisherwoman, crystal collector, thrill seeker, creator of beautiful spaces, and cowgirl at heart. I love this adventure we call life.
Adventure Toward Freedom 