My time in Toronto, has been an experience of a lifetime.
I’ve met some amazing people, attended awesome events, explored a great city, lived in a fabulous condo all while trying to figure life out.
The only thing lacking in my life (other than love) was happiness in my career. In San Diego, I had plateaued in my profession, with little room to grow.
I had thought there would be room for professional growth in Toronto, unfortunately, that didn’t happen. I can list off numerous reasons why, but that’s not important.
Since November, I’ve been doing a lot of soul searching. In January, I came to the decision I needed another major life shift.
I didn’t know what it was, but the thought was screaming in my ear, and I could not silence the noise. I became best friends with the self-help section at my local bookstore. I was craving to feel more connected to myself.
I was reading books on finding the right career, living healthier, and figuring out what it meant to be in touch with your spirit. I submerged myself for a few months.
One day, I woke up with complete clarity, or so I thought.
I said to myself and out loud to anyone that listened, I want to be in Marketing and I want to specialize in Graphic Design.
I had the confidence in me like I had been in the industry for years. I have no idea where the strength came from. I received the support from friends and family that this was a great idea.
Without hesitation (well, maybe slight hesitation) I walked into the Vice President of Marketings office, sat down and said, I’d like to work in Marketing, I want to be a Graphic Designer. I think I would be great at it. No, in fact, I know I would be great at it! I’m ready to take the appropriate classes to learn what I need to learn. What do you think?
I received the most amazing smile back, and she was beaming with excitement and she said that’s fantastic! I only had a few minutes with her. She said she would absolutely speak to the President and make things happen.
After being in Compliance (the most non-creative field known to man!) for 12 years, I felt like I was just given a chance of a lifetime. It’s not very often you have the opportunity do a total 180 in your career, with the same company, and come out a success (yes, I’m making an assumption I would be a success, so just deal with it!). I was absolutely beaming that day.
And then I checked my email.
In that moment, I realized the Universe had a different plan for me.
I received an email from a girl that I did business with a few years back. This girl had everything I wanted. She was able to travel, meet with clients, made a good living and had amazing energy about her. In my eyes, she was the epitome of success.
I pulled her aside while I was at conference about three years ago, and I said, I want to do what you do. I went on to tell her, I was capable of doing what she did and I think I would be great at it. It was a brief conversation and we moved on, but clearly a conversation she did not forget.
Before and after that day, we kept in contact professionally. She sometimes asked if I could speak to her potential clients- and tell them my experience with the product. Unbeknownst to me, whatever I was saying, I was helping her close the deals. When I was speaking to these people, I was simply speaking my truth, sharing my experience and I was quickly moving on with my day. At the time, I was too caught up in my life to even realize how much I was helping her out- but she was taking note. This girl saw something in me, that at the time, I didn’t even see in myself.
When I opened my email that day- she was offering me a job.
After numerous interviews, I was given the opportunity to be a Relationship Manager for a huge company in San Francisco.
I took the job- and leave for SF in 4 days.
The lesson I learned is, when you are open to change, things will come. It may not be in the form that you had originally thought, but maybe that’s because life had a better plan for you.
In a few weeks, I will begin traveling the beautiful U.S.A!
I welcome you on my new journey!
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