This is a guest post by Tony Paixão, my son-in-law about lessons learned during his unusual job search and the successful results. If you are unhappy at work and want something that aligns with your passions, Tony’s experience can help. You might get a few valuable suggestions from Tony’s experience to help you take your own leap forward.
Pull the cord. Rip the band-aid. This is only the beginning.
In the last two years, I’ve embraced an excursion of personal and professional exploration that’s brought me to exactly where I sit today. Now, that doesn’t mean I have found all of the answers—not even close. What it does mean is that I now understand what fulfillment I am looking for in a job, and how to fervently chase and explore those ambitions.
I first had to decipher where my discontentment sprouted from, and for anyone in a similar position—I suggest you do the same. Is it something within your control like a relational issue with a peer or supervisor, unrealistic expectations placed on you, or an unhealthy work environment? Or does the root come from within you?
Some of those “controllables” might feel out of your immediate influence, but you’d be surprised what change you can actualize by simply confiding in your supervisor, speaking with your HR partner, or changing your perspective. For me, the unfulfillment wasn’t something I could impact while remaining in my current role—and that’s where my story begins.
I hope sharing my journey with you will help you find your way. I have had countless conversations with people of all ages in all types of careers who have either previously been in my shoes or were currently working through similar challenges. These were the three consistent friction points intertwined in everyone’s tales.
How do I prepare to leave?
When I make the jump, how do I approach cutting ties with my current employer in the most professional way?
After I leave, what do I do—and how do I even begin to explore my options?
Prepare
My journey began about a year before I left my job. It started with a familiar conversation my wife and I had danced around many times before—something was missing from my professional life. In our previous discussions, the topic was always left open-ended, but this time—it was different.
“So,” my wife asked, “why don’t you do something about it?”
It was an uncomplicated question. But it was those words that were so frightening. Do something about it? What was I supposed to do, quit? I had read plenty of articles where some 20-something Jane Doe working in a high paying corporate gig decided she would rather be an elephant trainer in Thailand than spend another day in “corporate America.”
The stories where people decide to jump ship and live out their dreams are fantastic, but that’s not where I was. I didn’t have some sensational life path I felt as though I was missing out on where I should drop all of my responsibilities at the door and live in a yurt. I wanted those responsibilities. I wanted to work. I just didn’t know where, or who with. At that point, I didn’t even know specifically what it was that I wanted to be doing. What I did know, without any question, was that I wanted to pursue a career that was passion-driven rather than profit-driven.
And so began my story.
That night, I made the decision that I would quit my job one year from that day.
I also decreed that I didn’t want to start actively looking for a new role while still employed. I wanted to remain focused on my current job, and begin my search after I figured out what exactly it was that I wanted to be doing in the first place. As I spoke with others in the same boat, I realized there were many scenarios people faced at this crossroads.
I found that if quitting outright and taking a hiatus wasn’t an option, you can start your process while still employed (being mindful to not take time from your current employer). Saving a minimum of six months of living expenses is ideal, but everyone’s financial situations are unique. If you think you have saved enough—save some more, then make the break. Over the course of a year, my wife and I saved enough money so that we were prepared for me to say goodbye to my current position and pursue my new full-time gig—determining the career that would make me spring out of bed every morning.
Jump
Once I had prepared my financial strategy, my next move was ensuring that my transition was smooth. Even if you never intend on working for your present company again—you should avoid burning bridges at all costs. It’s critical to tie up loose ends and set up your team with the steadiest shift possible. Remember, leaving has a ripple effect on many others in an organization. Whether that’s peers, supervisors or customers, people will need to step in to fill the void you once maintained.
Physically following through and making the jump was one of the most arduous steps in my story. I found that the best way to set myself up for a successful—and less stressful—leap was to make sure I spent enough time in the first stage–prepare.
I was fully aware that I needed to give as much advanced notice as possible. This gives you the opportunity to speak with your peers and work on that all important variable of not burning bridges. It also gives your employer enough time to adjust and begin to backfill your position.
For the initial announcement, a verbal notice goes a long way. The formal written will follow, but being able to speak to your supervisor in a professional, candid manner to break the news is far more appreciated in the end. This is the quickest phase, however, it tends to be the component that forces people into paralysis causing them to never actually follow-through.
Pull the cord. Rip the band-aid. This is only the beginning.
Explore
This was undoubtedly the most time-consuming, challenging, and rewarding chapter. In order to accomplish this phase productively, I was forced to dig deep and extract my strengths, weaknesses, passions, and peeves. Unexpectedly, this where I relied on the help of others most. If you don’t know how—or aren’t familiar with the concept of networking, now is the time to learn.
Leverage and engage your contacts as well as those of your close friends and family. I had one-on-one calls with over fifty people, most of whom I had never spoken to previously, solely to gain their insight. So what was the goal of connecting with dozens of strangers? For me, I wanted the challenge of having to answer the question: what is it that you actually want to do? I also longed to learn from the wisdom of seasoned professionals who had already discovered how to marry their passions and professional aspirations.
The difference in my response from the very first phone call to the last was considerable. I was able to digest their advice and feedback and continue to hone my own personal message. Eventually, this allowed me to arrive at the place where I could confidently speak to what makes me tick, what inspires me, and what type of career would set me up to be at my best.
The guidance I gained along this part of my trek was invaluable. Every person I spoke with provided me with invaluable tidbits of information—the three conversations below were some of the more impactful suggestions I received.
David—a marketing consultant from Indianapolis.
In my conversation with David, he encouraged me to write a personal mission statement. Though I was initially unsure about this exercise, the process was instrumental. I wrote down, what I believe to be, the most important elements of my life (personal and professional goals, values, virtues, etc.) David told me that what I wrote could assume many different forms and didn’t need to follow a particular script. This mission statement serves as my compass ensuring I am always pointed in the right direction.
Logan—a Boston-based executive consultant.
Logan suggested that I think back over the last five years and record the memories of when I was most engaged at work. He reminded me that “most engaged” does not necessarily translate to “happiest,” but instead the times when I was most stimulated. He told me to jot down everything I could remember. Where was I? What project was I working on? Was I with a group? He then had me repeat the exercise for the times when I was least-engaged. Similarities began to form and suddenly I realized I could articulate exactly what I did (and didn’t want) from my job. Taking the time to dissect those moments ultimately helped me break down the components of a career that I found advantageous—and those that didn’t compliment my personality.
Matt, the CEO of a beverage company in Raleigh.
Matt challenged me to write five statements in relation to my career that began with “I would love to.”* He told me there were no limitations, and that I was to simply complete the phrase. By saying the sentence out loud, I was forced into writing only the most honest and genuine responses. He had me pick the three I aligned most with, and pursue the top companies in those industries. His point is once you can articulate the company(ies) you would be happiest to work for, you should pursue them with all of the tenacity and dedication you can summon.
You WILL be successful if you are persistent and creative.
Though this may sound trite, being able to articulate what you want in a career is significantly more challenging than it sounds. Preparing to leave my current professional comfort zone was where it all began. Realizing I was unhappy, deciding to do something about it, and organizing the pieces of my life (ahead of time) that I knew might scatter when faced with the reality of leaving a job.
When I jumped—I sealed up my previous projects, bid farewell to my team, and shook hands with my employer. I walked out of those doors for the last time ensuring that the only thing I left behind was positivity. And finally, as I explored my passions and figured out how to channel them into an enthusiastic, satisfying career—I discovered new ways to enjoy my personal life as well.
You’d be surprised at how much helpful insight you can gain from people who can’t even pronounce your last name. Though they may start out as strangers, I suggest taking every opportunity for a conversation. I unearthed something new about myself in each exchange. Ironically, the discussions that generally turned out to be the most fruitful were those where I originally saw no immediate relevance. Every connection is valuable.
It’s impossible to find work that’s fulfilling, without first understanding what you need to be fulfilled. Take the proactive approach, squeeze every drop of knowledge out of these steps, and spring out of bed every morning. What are you waiting for?
*UPDATE: When I wrote out my “I would love to” statements, the first one on my list was to be an “Interrogation Instructor/Consultant”. Matt read it and asked–“what the hell is that??”. I recently accepted a job with W-Z doing just that! I can’t say enough about the importance of listening to your gut and pursuing what makes you happy.
Good luck and don’t hesitate to reach out if I can help you in any way. Connect with me on LinkedIn.
Tony Paixão, CFE, CFI | Instructor/Consultant with Wicklander-Zulawski & Associates
Photo by Walker Fenton on Unsplash
Need help with your job search? Want some networking coaching as I did for Tony? Let’s talk. You can set up a time to chat with me about your marketing challenges using my calendar. Email me jeffslater@themarketingsage.com Call me. 919 720 0995. The conversation is free, and we can explore if working together makes sense. Try my new chat feature on my site if you have a quick question.
