I while ago I posted a Q&A about myself, and there was a question asked about me and my dream job. After realizing. I mean really realizing that life is short, my ultimate goal is to follow just that. My dream. I am so capable, and talented if I do say so myself. Its just about me getting out of my own way sometimes.
I recently was approached with a job offer out of the clear blue after being away from work for almost a year. Needless to say. I declined. Some people may think I am nuts, and almost crazy. But I want to be 100% happy in what I do, and get excited over work. I don’t want to just settle for money. I also am not one to act fast on certain opportunities no matter how great them seem even in regards to GIGS . What’s for me, is for me. And I don’t have a problem believing in that.
A major part of my decision came from my BFF. Mr. Styles. When you have a partner in life telling you “Babe, I want you to be happy. I want you to do what you love. I want you to come home happy after work.” That makes things so much easier when I know that I have the support from my better half. He could have easily said to me—You need to take that job. Or hinted that I should in a joking way. But never did he do it. He looked me in my eyes, told me to smile, and do what makes me happy.
A friend said to me. “I feel like turning down this job is like telling the universe that you are ready to stand up for what you are meant to do and will not stop for something that isn't related to the path you are meant to be on.” Darn right.
Either way. I’m on my way, down this journey….Here I go.
Have you been in this situation? Are you in it now? I cant be alone.
Lets chat it out.
Tamara
32 comments:
GIGS looks great!! Love the updates... and YES ~ I was in a similar situation. Back in September '09, after another rave reveiw at my employer of 16 years (JCP) I was told "your position no longer exsists." I was the Visual Director for one of the top 5 stores in the company and LOVED being creative. They did offer me another position, but it was more administrative and operational - NOT CREATIVE what-so-ever. After discussing it with my DH, I took a leap of faith and left my comfort zone - after working retail for 25 yrs.
Since then, I've LEARNED SO MUCH - about blogging, social media, webinars and I've met so many wonderful people I KNOW I would have not met had I stayed in the same four walls. Of course, there have been a few down days (and feeling like I did in jr. high when I was last picked to be on the softball team), but I know "I'm on the right track", and I believe God doesn't put things into peoples life they aren't ready for.
I LOVE design, I love problem solving & space planning, I love organizing & decorating, I love helping people and I love shopping (especially sale & thrift). And after builing my online presence this past year - to take away the shop girl and bring out my inner makeover maven, I'm starting to feel the wind beneath my wings carry me into the next phase of my life... as you are now too =)
Keep keepin' real girl!! You're a beautiful inspiration. Thanks for your thought provoking post today xo
:D Lynda
I love my job and what I do. I love getting up every single day and going to work. I feel very fortunate in that. And I have had a couple of jobs that were just awful that I hated with a capital H. Finding your place in the world is hard.
My only advice - be open to the things that come your way. You just never know where they may take you. :)
Wow, I'm pretty much in that place right now. I've been an Art Teacher for 9 years and have been trying to find time to create what I love and run a business. However most of the time I'm so burned out from work that my art has fallen to the waste side.
I have recently finally after what seemed like forever, finished my Masters Degree in Interior Design and have been applying for jobs as a college professor. So, the last day of school I was informed that they have to cut art positions according to seniority and this was my first year in the district so I'll be out. Smh
So I'm in the what now stage. I know I have talents that I have been trying to share but am really trying to make a plan for getting more achieved. I have a million ideas running through my head day and night but just need to organize them.
It's refreshing to read your post and I agree with your choice and love that your BFF does too. I think you're well on your way to finding your "niche" and plan to be watching for when you do!
I have been faced with this dilemma plenty of times (kind of right now) where I am in a position and have turned opportunities down because I thought the path I was on is the only one. Now I think that I should explore different options just to see if maybe by chance that open door could lead me down a different path that just may need to be discovered on my journey through life. Having someone who is supportive and in your corner is such a blessing. I do think you have made the right decision and I am so happy for you!
Tam - God Bless you in following your dreams and fulfilling God's purpose and destiny for your life...God bless Mr. Styles for supporting you :)
I'm in this EXACT position right now Tam! Right now! I got laid off from teaching after 12 years of teaching and I am so ok with it.
I swear to you are speaking these words as if they were from my own mouth. I have so many people sending me emails about teaching again and I don't apply to them.
I want to be happy and I feel like the money will follow. I've been laid off for 3 weeks now and I've already have so many awesome things come my way that are keeping me busy.
I could should SHOUT right now reading this post!
I'm gonna tweet this post!
You definitely hit a nerve in this post. I was laid off a year ago(although it was for a graphic design position)I love freelancing. Having support from your spouse is soooo important. Alot of times, the money issue gets in the way and they can cloud your dreams. As long as you stay true to what you want to do, the money will come later. Doing what I love is the motto of my life right now. Good luck to you!!
If my partner and I didn't have two mortgages to pay I would've quit my FT job a long time ago. I tell folks all the time to not settle for less b/c you're only setting yourself up for failure.
My FT job is a steady paycheck, but it's not my passion. I've already etched in stone that I'm only here temporarily and I WILL do what I luv full-time. I don't know how long it'll take me, but I'm going to get there sooner or later.
So you go ahead and do what you luv to do b/c only YOU can make yourself happy. And that's what life is all about (to me!) Live w/o any regrets and do your thing girl! I wish you much success.
Chyanne M.
theyuppielady.com
Always know what you are worth Tam Styles. And "worth" doesn't always mean money. I think you were right to turn down the other job. See, you did two things by doing that. (1) you turned down what wasn't right for you and (2) you were honest enough with yourself to do it.
You're on the right path. Best of luck to you.
Thank you thank you thank ------ you inspire to keep DREAMING BIG. I am a faithful reader of your blog and enjoy post, advice and ideas. Continue to do you!
Been right where you are Tam! Quit my job of 12 years 2 years ago because it was sucking the life out of me and I haven't looked back. Started my jewelry business Full-time and it is the most fullfilling thing I've ever done. The money I make now is 1/2 of what I made back when I worked a 9 to 5, but I am so much more happier, healthier, sane, focused and present in my life, relationship, and mothering.
Sending you lots of love, hugs, faith, and perseverence!
-Myisha :)
I can certainly relate, I recently quit a steady job that I had for almost seven years. Most people don't understand why anyone will do that in such a bad economy, but then, I am not most people. I was miserable at the job and know God has something better in mind for me.
Love that you are so inspiring and honest. Really, you are =) I am so in a "similar" same place. Doing something everyday that I do not even like so I can eventually have the freedom to do what I love. To make a long story short, I am trusting God that I can eventually stay home and pursue my dreams. Thanks for this post Tam. I love real posts like this. It makes people feel like they are not alone. ( And love supportive hubbys )
Thanks so much for the personal stories. I knew I was not alone. Alot of times people put on....but really they hate no doing something that makes them happy. No the road is not easy but I love women that take a chance...and even women that know they are not happy with their everyday job. Some people work their whole life not being happy...it's great when you know. Thanks again for all the support and wonderful words.
This post is timely I have just posted a blog post on intuition and my dance like 'Emu' when I had to turn down gigs but you have to be vigilant. Here is the post http://mjfontaine.co.uk/?p=1148 keep on with your path you have good company, and support with what you are doing go for it!
Love you for this. And your husband is amazing for being so supportive.
*Pumping fist* Good for you Tam! I've been working towards my dream consistently for the past two + years. I've achieve so much more than I did while in corporate though I barely make half of what I did then.
On the flip side, I wake up loving life and so very fortunate to have the support of my BFF/husband. From the very first day decided to get married, we vowed that everyone under our roof will pursue his/her dream and we as a family will support one another.
To sum it all up, thanks for sharing this especially for those who do not have the support at home that we do. You may be their inspiration.
Best wishes to you and all your endeavors!
GET IT GIRL!!! You ARE so VERY talented and wonderful and beautiful (inside and out)!!!!!
Good for you! I'm grappling with this right now. I hate my job and am trying to figure out what I REALLY want to do. Good luck to you!
I have two bachelor's degrees and I don't work in either field. Two weeks before I graduated with said degrees I knew I'd never be happy. I started over in the direction my heart way pulling me and I haven't looked back, and can honestly say I love where I am in my career so much that most days it doesn't feel like work. You gotta follow your heart.
Good Luck!
I know how you feel. I have felt like I am at a place where I have to either continue doing what I have been for the past 10yrs or do what I love which is being creative. I know I lack a little confidence in myself, but I also know that I am often good as everything I put my mind to. I figure things out. So I am still in that spot and will go back to school to help me get to the other side. I feel this is a time to be me and not who everyone expects me to be. Good luck with making your dreams come true. We all deserve that kind of peace and happiness.
You are very blessed to be in the situation you are in. I'm single & stuck in a job I hate. I took the first job offered to me after nearly 2 years of unemployment. I have no time to do what I love because my job drains me & it is so very frustrating.
LOVE the new site! (I've been reading from my google reader)
I enjoy what I do and the freedom that it provides me to pursue other things on the side while being a engaged mom. It's refreshing to be in this position, it's been a long time coming.
Yay for you, Tamara! And yay for Mr. Styles for being the rock star husband that he is!!
PS - Love the new GIGS look!
Tam,
I'm freaking out now because I'm nearing the end of my unemployment of two years ( and I have sent out so many resumes, I should be reimbursed for all the ink I've used); I am checking out the ads and they want people to work from 8 - 6pm. Add two hours total in travel time and that's 12 hours of my day working for someone else, when i really want to make jewelry, cook, travel and blog about it all or write a book.
I don't know what I'm going to do. I'm beside myself. I don't wanna be in a cubicle anymore...
I'm totally with you. I'm somewhat in a similar position at the moment but I refuse to go back to a JOB just because. It's not worth your happiness!
So inspirational and quite timely for me. I have a corporate job and need to make some serious decisions in the future. The older I get, the more I learn "who" I am and what I like. Things aren't lining up right now so Im doing some planning and waiting on God to give me the green light.
Im so proud of you and Mr. Styles, too!
You know, I am as broke as the day I came out of my mother's womb, but I am also just as happy.
Turning down money via a job is NEVER easy. However, when you consider the source rather than the resource you know there is more where that came from.
God challenges us to see if our faith is where it needs to be. Should we take a position that will fulfill our financial needs, while at the same time take us away from family or make us unhappy? God forbid.
I didn't leave my job, they let me go. That was the BEST news I had heard in a long time. Had I been sitting behind that desk...well you know my story.
I walk in faith with you and #TeamStyles.
Yes, I've been there and am there again. You have to follow your heart and all good thing will come including happiness. I believe it.
Hey Tam,
Of course I understand--I am The Recovering Attorney after all! I've decided and (Mr. Recovering Attorney is in full support),that I no longer wanted to solve other people's problems. I am in the process of Recovering and Reinventing and I am loving it. I wish you all the best on your journey and I love your new site design. Keep growing!
Tam,
You are so blessed to have a supportive husband who allows you to be you and doesn't call you a loser for being a dreamer and wanting a job that's fulfilling regardless of money (that's my situation). Many blessing to you on your journey, Tam, greatness will be along that road waiting for you.
~Jazz
Heck yea, go for it!!! We will be able to write a book or sit on Wendy talking about this very thing one day.. "I can do ALL things thru Christ who strengthens me"...
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