Sundays, as Dusk Turns to Dark and that Empty Feeling Grabs Hold
I know what it’s like to hate your job. I know what it’s like to hate your job even though it’s something other people would kill to be able to do. I know what it’s like to hate your job even though you are making an ungodly amount of money.
I know what it’s like to get that pit-in-the stomach feeling on autumn Sundays when the dusk was descending into darkness and it’s time to stop raking the leaves. There’s no more delay, no more diversions … the weekend is over. I know the dread of realizing that soon, I’d have to go to “that place” again.
I remember Mondays, as the train would be pulling into Grand Central Station, hoping – praying – that I would suddenly be stricken ill and have to stay aboard and ride the train back to Westchester.
I know what it’s like to be very good at what you do, but to hate doing it. I know what it’s like to have a really good job, with nice people in handsome offices, with a company-supplied BMW, and yet be miserable. It wasn’t the company or the people, it was the work itself. It wasn’t a good fit. Going to another firm for even more money wasn’t the answer. The work didn’t have meaning to me and wasn’t fulfilling.
I know what it’s like to try to convince yourself that maybe it’s not so bad after all – but not believing it for a minute.
If you are unhappy in your career, I know what it’s like to be you.
I also know what it’s like to have a non-working wife, two young children, and a big house with a bigger mortgage. I know what it’s like to be afraid to leave a great job, but to be more afraid of staying. Finally one morning I walked into my boss’ office and quit. I took a part-time consulting job with one of my clients at half of what I had been making. My wife (now ex-) wasn’t happy about it. But I was.
I am very grateful to have held a job I hated. It was the first and only time in my career that this happened. This experience, though, enabled me to understand what my clients, lawyers and senior executives, are going through. Thanks to this experience, I can understand what it’s like to want to leave a high-paying, prestigious job that other people envy you for having. It made Career Strategies possible.
The part-time consulting gig I took for a start-up TV network became a full-time job with Vice President’s stripes. I had never worked for a TV network before. I had never done what they asked me to do. I must have done well at it though, since I was brought into the network’s parent company, a first-tier consulting firm that handled Fortune 100 clients. I’d never been a consultant before at that level, or worked cases in such a diverse range of industries, from healthcare to fast food. It was an amazing learning experience, and I contributed meaningfully to the firm’s clients. That job led to big marketing positions with two motion picture companies. I had never done anything in the movie business, but I parlayed what I learned and helped set box office records and snare some Oscar awards for our movies. Then it was onto a post with a world leading technology company. When they hired me, I didn’t know a file server from a process server, but I ended up on their Executive Committee. When we sold the company, I knew it was finally time for me to start Career Strategies.
I have had a career that has been a blast! Different industries, different functions, but always challenging, rewarding, lucrative and fun!
The point of all of this is not that I am so wonderful – my clients often have more going for them than I ever did. My point is that you are not trapped. Not by money. Not by training. Not by your practice knowledge. Not by age. Not by industry experience.
If you have half a brain, a little courage, and a modicum of faith in yourself – and perhaps a little guidance — you can find a career and a life that you love. I am proof of it.
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If you are an attorney or senior executive and you have been thinking about “what else is out there,” or if you are not sure how to start a career transition process, get in touch with me for a virtual cup of coffee. You will receive a confidential, no-cost consultation to discuss your situation and goals, and will also get expert advice on how to launch your job campaign. To schedule a strategy call with me, click here: https://live.vcita.com/site/bruce.blackwell
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