Four days after God texted me to quit my job, I attended Storyline, a conference I'd registered for six months earlier. The event is intended to help folks create a life plan. I'm glad God knew I'd need a life plan six months before I did.
In Session Two, I wrote down three sentences that would haunt me AND anchor me for the season that was ahead.
1. Define one primary ambition.
While I worked out my notice, I was asked to teach a class at my church that helps folks discover their personality, gifts, and purpose in life. Who better to use as an illustration than me? I spent an enormous amount of time asking friends what they thought my strengths were, looking at my passions and talents, and considering all the ways I found fulfillment. And I prayed.
In a few weeks, I realized my heart and skills and experience were the perfect match for an organization I was already connected to who had a huge need in the realm of social media. So I listened to "Oceans" by Hillsong United on repeat and submitted a proposal for a job that did not exist.
They read it, responded to it, and wheels began to turn. Slowly. It has become my one primary ambition. Whether it becomes my full-time, 401(k) job or I simply get to do it as a volunteer gig, I'm all in.
2. People-pleasing will kill your story.
At Storyline, John Richmond said "Don't measure yourself with the same ruler others use to measure you." I'm a recovering people pleaser. Quitting my job has sent me back to people pleasing rehab on almost a weekly basis. I want friends and family and even you to feel confident and reassured about the decision I've made. Especially in the waiting. I've considered jobs and moves that aren't remotely related to the one primary ambition simply to put people at ease.
This is when it's so important to have an inner circle who will root for you, pray for you, hold you accountable, and expect nothing from you but obedience to God. They're not afraid to ask hard questions and also not afraid of the sometimes weird, wonky answers.
In a few weeks, I realized my heart and skills and experience were the perfect match for an organization I was already connected to who had a huge need in the realm of social media. So I listened to "Oceans" by Hillsong United on repeat and submitted a proposal for a job that did not exist.
They read it, responded to it, and wheels began to turn. Slowly. It has become my one primary ambition. Whether it becomes my full-time, 401(k) job or I simply get to do it as a volunteer gig, I'm all in.
2. People-pleasing will kill your story.
At Storyline, John Richmond said "Don't measure yourself with the same ruler others use to measure you." I'm a recovering people pleaser. Quitting my job has sent me back to people pleasing rehab on almost a weekly basis. I want friends and family and even you to feel confident and reassured about the decision I've made. Especially in the waiting. I've considered jobs and moves that aren't remotely related to the one primary ambition simply to put people at ease.
This is when it's so important to have an inner circle who will root for you, pray for you, hold you accountable, and expect nothing from you but obedience to God. They're not afraid to ask hard questions and also not afraid of the sometimes weird, wonky answers.
3. Filter out even the good stuff.
Earlier this month, I was offered a dream job working for a dream boss. My days would be spent doing good work for good people. It was only two degrees off from my primary ambition.
The decision to say "no" was harder than almost anything I've ever done. Truly. When I spoke to the dream boss who wasn't to be, he said "My biggest fear wasn't that you would say no, but that you would say yes and in three months you'd be feeling nothing but regret."
THAT MADE ME WANT TO WORK FOR HIM EVEN MORE. Yet, it increased my confidence I had made the right call.
So I continue to wait. But actively wait.
Isaiah says it like this: "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Running. Walking. Eagle Wing-ing.
I'm still all in.
Earlier this month, I was offered a dream job working for a dream boss. My days would be spent doing good work for good people. It was only two degrees off from my primary ambition.
The decision to say "no" was harder than almost anything I've ever done. Truly. When I spoke to the dream boss who wasn't to be, he said "My biggest fear wasn't that you would say no, but that you would say yes and in three months you'd be feeling nothing but regret."
THAT MADE ME WANT TO WORK FOR HIM EVEN MORE. Yet, it increased my confidence I had made the right call.
So I continue to wait. But actively wait.
Isaiah says it like this: "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Running. Walking. Eagle Wing-ing.
I'm still all in.
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