Staying True to Myself

Career Changer on July 9, 2008 2:33 PM

There comes a point when you realize that you have to stay true to yourself. You have to come to terms with what you want in life, and decide whether or not you’re going to go for it.

I’m at a point in my life when I can look back over four different career paths I’ve been on: fashion copywriting, information technology, freelance writing and professional life coaching. When I went into fashion I was following my heart and my idea of a glamorous fashion life. Though I enjoyed it, honestly there wasn’t much glamour to be found behind the scenes. It was hard work – challenging and never boring. My practical self spurred me into my change to become a computer programmer. Another challenging profession that allowed my left-brain to dominate, while my right-brain went into hibernation. By the time IT was shedding jobs I went back to freelance writing, where I was forced to reconnect with the creative part of me that I’d abandoned years before. You see, I hadn’t written anything in all those years (other than technical documents) because my entire focus was on my corporate career.

So here I am full circle - back to following my heart, though with a lot more experience under my belt. Yes, experience counts even when it’s not in the same career or industry. When you leave a place to start something new, you bring all your accumulated knowledge with you. Whatever happens, that can never be taken away. For me, work isn’t just something I do to get a check, it’s a way I express myself in the world. It’s a way for me to be of service, and to use all my skills and talents in a rewarding way. After all the changes and years of single-minded focus on career advancement, this is where I’ve arrived. It feels like coming home.

Comments (5)

I'm a little late coming to this post, but I want to share something my daughter "post-it noted" onto my computer screen.

"You can't put an age on your dreams." (- Dara Torres).

I'm so proud that we are at a point in our lives where the young 'uns can show us old folks that it is never too late to do what you really want to do.

— Posted by Janine | July 26, 2008 10:56 AM | Comment Permalink

I really enjoyed your comments... I too have had many jobs in my past to help shape my life... but my health took over what I was able to do from Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia, pain and inabilities kept me from being the person and mother I wanted to be... then after all the meds.
I ended up with Chrons....
a friend cared enough to share information with me about LIMU and it has changed my health... to no more pain, and able to eat foods that I was not able to eat, I now can. I am also able to do things with my grandkids that I was not able to do with my children... I can now get involved more with my church and able to sing... something else that made up who I was that I was limited in doing...
More women need to know what you have been through only makes you stronger and a better person for the future..
have a Blessed Day!
Linda

— Posted by lindablessings | July 21, 2008 2:10 PM | Comment Permalink

Wow, I am home. Excellent post. Its hard to be authentic. It takes a lot of faith and love. I am working towards some goals as I sit in my cubical for corporate America and this voice trickles over me saying "who do you think you are, you're too old to be doing that". I have looked over my life and my teens were spent fueling the plans of my mother, my twenties were fueling the plans of my sister and alas I have found that my thirties started out on the path that would make my father proud. Long story short, I have learned a lot, but I am in a place where I can no longer ignore the central core of "me". The beauty is that I can incorporate what I have done i.e. my degree etc, but it is blogs like this that keep me moving forward. Again I say, excellent post.

— Posted by Monica Sanchez | July 21, 2008 1:04 PM | Comment Permalink

"For me, work isn’t just something I do to get a check, it’s a way I express myself in the world."

Great post Indeed! Unfortunately, our high schoolers and college students aren't taught to capitalize on their unique gifts and talents as much as to join the bandwagon of the top 5 careers. The common mantra is: If you test well enough to get accepted into school as a lawyer or a doctor--go for it. Never mind if your heart and fulfillment comes from teaching, writing, or social services.

After multiple jobs and a lucrative career that left me ethically conflicted, I can tell you when you do what you love the passion-driven excellence with which you do it will bring unimaginable rewards.

— Posted by Purposeful Pam | July 19, 2008 1:48 PM | Comment Permalink

Great post. I have to tell myself this every time I contemplate changing my true nature. It is great to seek to better ourselves but that doesn't mean pretending to be something you are not. I find your story inspirational. I am positive I will make quite a few career changes throughout my lifetime but I will always take the wisdom of my experiences with me.

— Posted by A.M. Morgan | July 10, 2008 9:34 AM | Comment Permalink

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