I have given up several times in life.
During my corporate career, I gave up on job promotion twice to pursue new roles outside of my domain.
I was motivated by the curiosity of stepping out of my comfort zone.
Back then, I didn’t anticipate each decision would set me back.
It would take another 3 years to get back to the same position I had given up on.
Looking back, I gave up 6 years of career progression to satisfy my curiosity.
Each time it was a leap of faith.
But the first time was special.
I walked away from my promotion only to step into the core of negative work dynamics in the new team.
The Vice President made known I was not welcomed on my first day.
My hiring manager resigned 8 months (it was just 2 of us in our team) after I joined, and the role I signed up for was removed.
I was assigned to another role and became an outcast.
I dreaded coming to the office.
I sat and had lunch alone for 9 months in a team that I didn’t belong.
Every day was a painful reminder of my decision to walk away from comfort.
What kept me going?
In my mind, I was clear about the reasons for giving up on my promotion. That was to gain experience in a different side of the business.
A necessary path towards my broader career goal.
But above all, I wouldn’t give up on myself.
As it turns out, trusting myself to make it through this difficult path was the right choice.
It eventually led to new opportunities which elevated my career trajectory exponentially.
So, what have l learned from giving up?
❇️ Sacrifices are what you made of it.
↳ Giving up on what serves you well hurts.
↳ But holding onto regrets (What ifs..) is more painful.
❇️ It’s the direction and not the steps that matter.
↳ At times, you have to detour or take 2 steps back to move forward.
↳ Look beyond the mountains and be guided by your North Star.
❇️ Trust yourself when your mind yells QUIT.
↳ Discomfort and doubts are what separate those who tried and those who achieved.
↳ No journey lasts forever, however dark and bumpy it may seem now.
I gave up again for the 3rd time last October to pivot into Coaching.
This time, it felt more than just a leap of faith.
6 years of detouring has made me the person who I can trust.
So, don’t feel embarrassed giving up on your past.
𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐮𝐩 𝐨𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟. 👊
⏩ PS: What have you given up that made you proud? Share in comment.
