A little over a year ago, I made a monumental personal and professional decision. It was time to finally do something entirely for me. And also for the long-term well-being of my family. So, I left behind a lackluster career and decided to take a gamble, step outside of my comfort zone, and take a total leap of faith. I will liken that leap of faith to jumping out of an airplane at 35,000 feet…..without a parachute. That is how far out of my comfort zone I was!! I am not a risk-taker by nature (and even less so when my self-esteem is at an all-time low), so I need to impress upon you just how uncomfortable and unhappy I must have been in that situation in order to do something so uncharacteristic and daring.
I am thrilled to report that it was the best professional decision of my life! I had spent far too long operating under "safe" misconceptions – misconceptions that there was no room for me and my talents in the outside world. I think in layman's terms, we call that complacency. And insecurity. And helplessness. Like being in an abusive relationship, I take full responsibility for staying in a bad situation for all of the wrong reasons. I had been selling myself short, and selling my soul in the process.
Fast forward a year ~ I am alive and well outside of the cubicle walls I had chained myself to for so long. I am thriving. Really thriving. Without the negative environment and the professional strangulation I was feeling, I can truly breathe again. I am learning things about myself and my abilities that I never thought possible. I am reinventing myself on many levels. I am happier. And more grounded. I have come upon the most amazing, uplifting, high caliber group of people. I am making a daily difference in so many lives and helping others realize their potential. I am re-learning how to be a leader, instead of a follower (because you absolutely can lose your leadership traits when you haven't called upon them in a long time). I am philanthropic. I am a mentor. I am all of the things that I always knew deep down that I was — but had forgotten along the way. I am a better mother, wife, friend, daughter, and a much better Jenn than I was a short time ago. There is still some work to do, but I am now like Jenn 2.0 — and it feels nice.
So, as I resurrect my blog and begin to share my stories once again, I want to thank all of the people who, over the course of this past 15 months, have played a role in helping me catapult away from Point A and start the journey toward my Point B (you hopefully know who you are). Your love and support has been invaluable to me. I am a better person for knowing you.
Sweet dreams — and thanks for tuning in once again!