I am in a period of transition, and it feels weird. There are lots of transition points you encounter in life – moving, change in job, family additions – and no matter how many I’ve gone through, each is unique is in it’s own way. I recently left my corporate job to pursue a talk show career full-time. I am loving this new path yet find the contrast in lifestyle bigger than I expected. I had a pretty good gig at a financial services company, and after 10 years in the corporate world, I was definitely in a rhythm (think, dancing GIF of me doing the Carlton from Fresh Prince of Bel Air). I knew what everyday would bring. I felt comfortable. Now, I couldn’t be further from his feeling. As a new ar-tiste, I am learning how to live in this entrepreneur like world. I wake up everyday and set my agenda for the day. While I may set deadlines, I can’t control the people I’m dependent on so have to just be flexible. I constantly feel a pressure to deliver, which I have no doubt all entrepreneurs feel, because I am the main proponent in making this venture a success. I am not fully sure I know what my end game is so am trying to figure out how to apply success metrics to a field that can take years to ever make money – yes, I just said success metrics #corporatelingoturnsentrepreneur (side note, if you have not watched the video “The Center for Corporate Studies” on YouTube, you must. It’s hysterical).
Transitions are inevitable because all of life is constantly changing. As a kid, you might be forced into a transition. I moved from California to New Jersey when I was 8-years-old and didn’t know how to handle it. I shut down and didn’t talk for the first three months (also because my mom told me if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all – point taken). As an adult, we sometimes get to choose our transitions, but that doesn’t mean it’s not equally parts scary and exciting. I could not feel more confident that making a career change was the right choice for me, but if any of you have gone through a significant lifestyle transition, then you, too, know that at the beginning, it is really hard. You can mentally prepare yourself for what might lie ahead, but it might not happen exactly how you thought. I know I’m not the only person who has felt this but wanted to share some of the things I’ve realized about adult transitions.
Lesson 1: Enjoy the process – don’t focus on the outcome.
I’ve been told this about life before but when someone told me this recently, I realized I was not embracing it. I was beating myself up about what I haven’t accomplished in my one month of this new career. ONE MONTH. I was frustrated and already doubting my pursuit of a talk show career. I was so focused on outside metrics and lost touch with what I’m learning each day. Sometimes not hitting milestones is the best thing for you – maybe you aren’t ready or maybe it isn’t the right direction. So focus on each day, not some far off objective, and when you need to get to your original goal or a new one, you will.
Lesson 2: Give yourself a chance.
When fear and unknown are staring you in the face, it is so easy to welcome them in and listen to the doubts and lies. You might not know what you are doing; you might not know what tomorrow will literally bring; but give yourself a chance to learn and grow. Stop yourself from thinking negative thoughts or sabotaging your own progress, especially when you first start out.
Lesson 3: Don’t keep it together.
No one is perfect when they set out to do something new, and if you try to act like you know it all already, you are going to be exhausted. Let yourself have off days where you don’t get as much done as you wanted to get done. Let yourself be honest and open with people when you feel overwhelmed and can’t do all that you maybe could do before. Vulnerability is not weakness, and I think you will be surprised at freedom from allowing yourself to live where you are now.
Leslie Delery 