If you could, for just a few minutes, put the whole Steve Harvey Miss Universe debacle behind you, I would highly recommend the video above for people who are ready for "more." I am one of those people, and ever since I "jumped," as per Steve Harvey, I am really "living" life for the first time, rather than just "existing."
In this video, Harvey explains that every successful person has jumped. This means that every successful person has taken that "leap of faith," leaving what is familiar and comfortable for the unknown. To jump can be the difference between existing and living.
I love that idea -- that we have a choice between mere existence or truly living an abundant life.
Until I turned 40, I had succumbed to the idea of existing. Staying at a job I didn't find interesting or enjoyable and working with people who treated me poorly. I thought to myself, well, I'm not the only in this situation. At least I have a job with benefits. What more could I ask for? I can pay my bills and mortgage. And I told myself this sad excuse for a story every day until one morning, I sat in my car, shoulders slumped forward, head bowed low, depressed that I had to walk in to work and deal with the same old nonsense. I literally sat at my desk, dead on the inside. While I wasn't aware of this video back then, I basically did what Steve Harvey says we should all try to do- jump and take a chance at living the life we are truly meant to live.
Has it been easy? Of course not. Was it scary? Absolutely. It's still scary to this day because I'm not sure what's going to happen next. Then why bother?
Because I finally got tired of existing. I finally said that I wanted more for myself. And if it meant making myself vulnerable, if it meant even more work, then so be it.
All I knew is that I couldn't continue "existing" the way I had been for the 20 years since I graduated. Saying yes to make other people happy. Living up to other people's expectations. Doing unfulfilling work with people or for people who have the emotional intelligence of a doorknob. I just couldn't do it anymore.
I now choose to believe that there is more for me out there. I believe I am meant to do interesting work. I am focused, driven, and emotionally intelligent. My future employer, whoever that may be, will value that. I realize now how the negativity of my current work environment influenced my perception of possibility. How many times have I heard, "It's crappy everywhere. Grass always seems greener, but it really isn't." Maybe so, but at the very least, I want to find work interesting again. I want to feel engaged again. Sure, there will be stresses and frustrating characters to deal with, but for goodness sake, can I at least find my job function interesting? That is not too much to ask for, and I know my opportunity is out there. I also believe, that for the first time in five years, I will find a group of emotionally intelligent people who practice brave leadership as per my heroine, Brene Brown. I mention this because I feel brave leadership is lacking in many organizations and leads to apathy, and when you cultivate a culture of apathy, well, good luck with that.
As I sit here writing this, as frustrating as my current work situation is, I am also so grateful for being here. What?!?! That's crazy talk, right? But here's the thing -- this unpleasant work situation has forced me to think really long and hard about what I find interesting, and what I'm looking for in colleagues. To be frank, what I'm looking for in terms of culture and people, well, it certainly isn't here. And that's really OK because I've set my intention to find the right work environment and ever since I jumped, things have been manifesting in ways I could not have imagined. I have been blessed to meet some of the nicest people in another part of my company. These are people who are training me and really investing their time in my growth and development. I still can't believe how lucky I am to be working with such a unique group of people. And all of this became possible because I decided to jump.
I have a long road ahead of me. I'm not out of the woods yet, and I'm still mid-air after taking that leap. However, whatever "scrapes" I've had to deal with along the way, they are nothing compared to the excitement I feel when I work with the new group of people in the company. For the first time since I started working here, I am actually engaged in what I do. This particular group of people is sincere in their efforts of helping me get on track in a different line of work that, gasp, for the first time ever, I actually find interesting. I never knew this level of kindness and support existed before, and it really is a breath of fresh air.
So if you're tired of existing, think about what it is you want. Think about the kind of people you want to surround yourself with. Set your intentions. Then jump. Know and believe that there is more for you out there. Know and believe that for every wretched colleague or person you may have to presently deal with, that there is also a kind, reasonable, and decent person out there waiting to work with you and help you. It's so easy to fall back into what is "safe," and you can make all the excuses you want, but as for me, I'll take my chances, and like Robert Frost said,
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I --
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."