It’s hard for me to wrap my head around the fact I’ve been out of the Human Resources space for well over a year now. I quit my HR career in November of 2022, and spent 2023 exploring new projects, giving myself space, but also reflecting on what was next for me.
Read more about my 6-month and one-year reflections of quitting my “successful” career.
As 2023 progressed I experienced a combination of restlessness and hopelessness about what was next for me. I felt frustrated. I thought I had tried my best to follow the “breadcrumbs” of life but was still lacking clarity.
And let me be clear. Life was phenomenal last year! I finally had space from work I craved. I focused on planning and enjoying our travel adventures for the year, as well as bringing this blog to life. I made physical fitness a priority. I spent more quality time with family and helped people I love through really difficult times. If I spent every year for the rest of my life like 2023 I could die happy.
And yet I felt something was missing.
The blog was an experiment for me. While I enjoy writing, the blog didn’t give me a consistent level of energy and excitement. I wasn’t shouting from the rooftops, “Yes, this is what I’ve been missing!”
Was it reasonable to expect something to give me such a feeling? I don’t know the answer to that question, but I definitely wanted something to give me that feeling. Kind of in line with, “if it’s not a hell yes, it’s a hell no” sentiment.
Follow the Breadcrumbs
So how did I finally find clarity on what would make me say, Hell yes?
It actually goes back to breadcrumbs.
What do I mean by breadcrumbs? Figuratively speaking, doors you crack open or connections you make that lead to unforeseeable opportunities and paths along your journey.
In early 2023 we connected with Jess & Corey from The Fioneers when they stayed in our driveway (in their camper van) during the EconoMe Conference. We learned about their FI journey as well as their life design programs, including Jess’ group coaching program.
Fast forward to mid-September when, out of the blue, Jess reached out with an opportunity to join her group coaching program, Design A Life You Love. She needed one more person to join a cohort. I took this as a sign from the universe and quickly agreed.
Over November through the beginning of February, the program provided a structured format to ask myself and reflect on tough questions to design a life I love. The program prompted me to dig even deeper than I had before.
Through the 8-session program, I had the opportunity to gain insight, brainstorm, and receive feedback from my small cohort. The overall experience was incredibly encouraging and supportive.
As we approached the end of the program, I had created several different paths I felt excited about. But one path stood out.
I’ve decided to start life and career coaching.
Coaching is my next adventure. I’m so excited.
The irony is I’ve known for years I love coaching people. Through all my years in HR my role as a coach was the one that was most important to me, and the reason I stayed in HR longer than I should. When I returned from my sabbatical and worked part-time I requested to focus on coaching because of how fulfilling I found it.
I love connecting with people to help move through challenges. I love asking questions (ask my husband!) and playing out scenarios. I love pondering human behavior and trying to make sense of it all. I love empowering others to find answers in a supportive way.
What Took Me So Long?
If I knew how much I enjoyed working one-on-one with others as a coach, what took me so long to come to this (not so surprising) conclusion to start coaching?
This is a great example of how the stories and scripts we have in our mind really work against us at times.
Having worked in Human Resources for so long I had a very concrete idea in my head of what a career coach looked like. It was more transactional: resume review and update, LinkedIn profile update, discuss what work the person enjoys and doesn’t, and set a strategy to identify and apply for positions available. Maybe throw in some interview technique advice if the person is interested, and some support with negotiating the offer when the time comes.
And don’t get me wrong, all of this is important from a career coaching standpoint. But honestly that isn’t the type of coaching I want to provide; it doesn’t fully resonate with me. Further, because of my background in HR I believed career coaching was the only type of coaching I was qualified to offer.
Was that true, though?
Through the Design A Life You Love program, one of the sessions addressed limiting beliefs about the various paths we created.
A limiting belief is a thought or state of mind that you think is the absolute truth and stops you from doing certain things. These beliefs don’t always have to be about yourself, either. They could be about how the world works, ideas, and how you interact with people.
BetterUp
Turns out I had quite a few limiting beliefs about what type of coaching I could provide, how it could be implemented, what I was qualified to offer, etc. That session helped me dispel many of my limiting beliefs which then allowed me to reimagine the type of coaching I could provide.
When it comes to coaching, I feel strongly about providing support for people who want to dig much deeper to understand their personal values and motivations. Equipped with that knowledge, we can then move forward making a more lasting impact along the way.
Hence where I decided that life coaching is actually the biggest part of what I want to provide, because the overall impact is much greater and transformational.
My Design a Life You Love cohort also reminded me how uniquely positioned I am to provide this type of coaching.
I’ve done a great deal of self-work, asking myself hard questions, leaning into experimentation in my personal life (the blog, RV life) and my career (leaving leadership, taking a sabbatical, working part-time, quitting my career). I’ve made significant changes in my life to better align with my personal values. And, I’ve spent years coaching through very difficult, nuanced situations during my career in Human Resources.
What’s Next
In talking with Jess as the Design a Life You Love program concluded, I shared how I quickly identified several potential coaching clients and how exciting (and scary!) that was. Her response:
It is pretty amazing how quickly things can move once you get clear.
So true!
I’m hitting the ground running, and I’m excited for what’s to come along this next adventure.
Most importantly though, I’m excited to utilize what I’ve learned along my journey to help and support others on their own.
If you’d like to learn more about the coaching services I provide, click here.
Related Blog Posts:
Congratulations on the new adventure into coaching! I’m excited to see how things will pan out throughout the year for you. You’ll definitely learn a lot, no matter what happens. Your “Coaching Services” website looks great too; way more professional than anything I’ve used! 🙂
Thanks Stephen, I appreciate your support and the feedback! I’m learning lots already and enjoying every minute. 🙂