Thursday, February 08, 2007

Drawing the line...

Sometimes in life you can get by in the gray area.
And sometimes you have to draw the line.
The defining moment, where everything will change either way.

This ain't easy. It never is.
Maybe that's why we have a fondness for familiarity.
It gives us control of our lives.

When mediocrity is familiarity. There is a problem.

It might not be noticeable at first..Slowly and surely, it drains away our energy and robs our passion. The feeling can be ignore for a while.

As time passes though, we start to yearn and hunger for what we miss. A decision has to be made.....either we keep moving or we change direction. A line must be drawn.

I change direction. I have resigned from my job. My last day will be on Feb 28.

Do I have another job lining up? Nope.

I have been looking from every angles. Why am I quitting? What am I looking for? Do I have enough cash to sustain me while I am unemployed? How long does it take to look for another job?

My perspecitve of my job have changed over the years. There were moments when I screamed out, I can't bear it anymore. In a way, I am glad God made me stayed. He groomed me from 'work sucks' mentality to 'let's make it better' attitude.

Before I discussed my plans with my boss, I listened to Jim Collin's opinion on career. He is the author of Good to Great, a book that I highly recommend for anyone interested in greatness.

He started off with the 3 circles in what he calls the personal hedgehog. First, find what you are passionate for. Second, find what you are genetically born to do. If you can make a living that fulfills the first two, that's your personal hedgehog. The key is not to compromise for two.

So the line is drawn. A change is made and it is time to move on.

Beyond the doubts and the uncertainty, there is also a sense of adventure. Free to be who I am and not sufferocate by mediocrity. I don't want a good career, I want a great one. Greatness, not measure by prestiege or money. But rather by the passion that fuels me and what God put me on earth in the first place. And if it makes a living..all the better.

25 comments:

Carrie said...

Well, you took the first step in your pursuit of passion. That's a good leap of faith. Look at all the training time you'll have for now!

Dr. Iron TriFeist :) said...

Alright then. Have you identified your passion and genetic gifts or will you use your time off for that.

Good luck on your new path.

Comm's said...

I suggest you go for underwear model.

Good to Great is a dare I say Great book. We used the hedgehog concept in our business and it makes total sense. one of the best business books I have read, and i a list well over 100

William said...

Bravo, inspiring Cliff.

Glad to see you are so on fire!

Good luck on the job search.

The sky is the limit.

brendaj said...

Job changes are hard decisions. It took me several days of long discussions, prayer, thinking, and tears to make my last change. And as much as I love my job now, I think there's one more change coming at some point in the future when I'm called into fulltime ministry to make some use of my seminary degree. Blessings to you as you continue down life's adventures!

Habeela said...

Being able to find a job your passionate about will be so rewarding! I hope you find it soon!

Bullet said...

What a leap. Best of luck. The best part is: Jeremiah 29:11.

Robin said...

Your 1st 5 paragraphs are brillant. Simply stated and so powerful. They can relate to many things in one's life. As for how the 5 paragraphs relate to your situation now, congratulatiosn on taking the step. I am REALLY REALLY in need of leaving my job, but I really do need to find another one first, for financial reasons. I admire you for being in the situation where you can make this decision...and for making it. Congratulations, Cliff.

Anonymous said...

Best wishes on your job search. Let us know what you decide!

Unknown said...

"Follow your bliss." Joseph Campbell.

Words to live by.

Born To Endure said...

One door closes, another one opens...you will be great, you already know what to do!!

Phil said...

Good luck. I hope next year, you'll look back on this decision and wonder why it took you so long to make. You'll land on your feet - the good people always do.

Brent Buckner said...

All the best in selecting to what to run toward - so preferable to running from something.

momo said...

cliff, this reminded me of a quote i love from anais nin: And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.

can't wait to see how things turn out - enjoy the journey!

Rae said...

I know it was a tough decision to make but I'm sure you made the right one. I have no doubt you'll end up doing what you're meant to do. Best wishes. =)

Jeremy said...

Following your heart is an admirable decision. Best of luck with the search.

i am Susan said...

My husband is going through the same thing right now. He is in the process of looking for a new job. He wants to quit his present job---but there are all those questions of "will I be Ok?". I just keep telling him "God will take care of us---you have to trust him"...You'll be ok too.

Unknown said...

Have fun and go find that right job!!

BTW - I'm fond of Good to Great as well.

Donald said...

Good luck with this new chapter in your life. Following your heart is very admirable.

Afternoon Tea With Oranges said...

Wow, Cliff. You are brave. And so inspriing. I'm going to go back and read your post again. Way to do what you know is right and not look back!

Mike said...

Cliff- glad to hear you are doing well and pushing the envelope.

Taking that leap of faith into the unknown- exciting stuff! I know you will land on your feet and will be all the better for it!

Papa Louie said...

The world is big and so are you. May the peace of God be with you on your career adventures.

Thomas said...

I resigned from my previous job without having a new one lined up, despite having a mortgage and a family to look after. Why? It was in the wrong country, and we really wanted to move back to Ireland.

It worked out extremely well for us. I hope it will do the same for you.

qcmier said...

May God be with you. All the best.

Robyn said...

I left my job in December and started the new year in a new positon. My attitude, my marriage, my friendships, my training, my skin, my sleep, my life -- ALL are better! Good luck!