Raised as an only child by a single mother, I’ve always been cautious about spending money – minimizing debt and saving towards an emergency fund, just in case.  Being both frugal and risk-averse, many were surprised by my recent leap of faith, leaving the safety and security of a regular paycheck after nearly 30 years as an executive in Corporate America.  But for me, this was the next natural move in both my professional and personal life. 

Unbeknownst to me at the time, the first step in this direction came in 2014.  Serving as vice president of marketing and communications for a multi-billion commercial construction management business, I found myself at a unexpected crossroads. I’d had 15 great years with the company, growing in my professional responsibilities, learning from the best of my colleagues, and finding great friendships along the way. Then, the sea tides changed.  Significant leadership changes occurred which then gave way to a storm of corporate politics and ugly behaviors, all in a power struggle for control.  I spent two years trying to navigate these stormy waters, but soon found myself depleted and void of the energy to keep “fighting the fight.”

One restless night, I awoke from a vivid dream where I was doing battle in the center of a huge amphitheater. (Imagine Russell Crowe in Gladiator.) As I looked around the ring, all I could see were huge crowds, all screaming for more action and excitement. On that dust-covered floor were many fierce warriors, all ready and willing to fight to the death in order to claim victory. 

There seemed to be no way out, until suddenly I noticed a perfect piece of architecture I hadn’t noticed before.  There, through a beautiful arched doorway, I saw the most brilliant blue sky inviting me to come explore the world beyond where I stood.  With immediate clarity I thought, “I have a choice.  Why am I still here fighting for something I no longer want?”  In the dream, I dropped my weapons and walked out.  In reality, I resigned my position the next morning, and it was the best decision I’ve ever made.

What came next was four years of opportunity in an entirely new field – women’s health.  I had a chance to do more direct-to-consumer work than my prior position, and to both learn and advocate in an area I was passionate about.  That opportunity would never have been realized if I’d been afraid to make a change.

The moral of this true story is three-fold:

1. When you find yourself feeling TRAPPED, look around. The exit may be right there, staring you in the face.
2. No matter how much or how little you make, always save a portion of EVERY dollar you earn towards a rainy day fund. Because no matter who you are, there will come a time when the skies open up, the torrential rains arrive, and you’ll need that fund to give you shelter from the storm.
3. And finally, even at your lowest point, always remember – there ARE blue skies ahead. Sometimes they take a bit longer to find than you might like, but they are there, waiting to show you the promise of a new day.     

About the Author
Connie Oliver is the owner and founder of Fish Genius, LLC, a consulting service designed to help build both personal and professional brands. For businesses, they offer marketing strategy, research, and campaign development to build brand awareness and grow revenue. For teenagers, a training curriculum in life skills development helps young people, ages 13 to 19, grow their confidence and skillset in managing life – no matter what path they choose beyond high school.  If you’re interested in learning more, contact Connie at connie@fishgenius.net.