Getting from Here to There – Leaping into Happiness

“When you find the thing that makes your heart sing, do more of that. We need more radiant hearts singing their songs of joy, passion and purpose.” #michelemolitor

My Wake-up Call

I woke up in a cold sweat.

Again.

And it was the third time this week.

I didn’t think I could take another stressed out, sleepless night,

when the light bulb suddenly came on…

I realized that I didn’t give a crap about building large, corporate websites.

Too much stress.

Not enough joy.

But what was I supposed to do – quit my job??

Feeling painfully stuck between a rock and a hard place, that day I made the conscious decision that I wanted to “Be Happy.”

Have you ever felt that way?

Knowing you’re destined for more.

That your heart lies a million miles from where you are… and the knot in the pit of your stomach can no longer be dulled by caffeine and alcohol.

But you’re trapped. You have bills to pay.

People who are depending on you getting up each morning and going to place you hate, to fight the good fight…

Day after day. Week after week.

Now at the time, I had no earthly idea how to get from here… to there…

to the other side of the chasm stretched out in front of me with my happiness sitting on the other side.

“Be Careful What You Wish For…”

Just a week later (really, no kidding) I found out that I was going to be laid off at the end of the month.

GULP.

Seriously?

I said I wanted to be happy but this certainly wasn’t the answer I was expecting!

3 weeks later, I was “officially” let go.

The whole ordeal was crushing to my ego and self-confidence, leaving me disillusioned and lost in a fog.

But in hindsight, it was actually a gift.

Yes, a gift.

“When you look fear straight in the eye, all you will see is your own reflection staring back at you, as the “fear” dissipates into the nothingness that it really is.” #michelemolitor

How I Flipped My Fear

During those weeks and months after I got let go, I was completely at a loss for what to do next and petrified of handing my resume to anyone!

The gift of this time off gave me a career “pause” to do the deeper work necessary to determine what was really important to me so I could change gears, and careers.

During that pause, I was advised to “get a coach.”

I had no idea what coaching was, but I knew I needed help!

So I hired a career coach to guide me and in the process found my “next big thing.”

Like a lotus blossom rising from the mud, I found my passion and calling.

Reconnecting With My Values

I was hooked.

I found myself excited to get out of bed each day.

The days of dreading to go to work and struggling through my J.O.B. were over!

Coaching tapped into my core values of being of service, creativity, and meaningful work in a way that was having a powerful, positive impact on others.

It was the food that fed my soul and allowed me to blossom more fully into who I knew I could be.

Who I wanted to be.

Now, I feel blessed to love what I do each day, helping others find their passion, purpose and genius.

It’s YOUR Turn… To Make The Leap

Distilling from my own experience of 15 years of coaching combined with an insatiable quest for personal learning and development, I’ve discovered 3 keys to leaping the chasm that stands between you and a fulfilling career.

Key #1: Identify Your Core Values

What principles are like water and air that you can’t live without on a daily basis?

These are your core values that are part of the fabric of your soul.

Once you’ve determined what these values are, ask yourself “How well am I honoring them on a daily basis?”

If they’re on your list but no where to be found in your day-to-day life, check to see if your stress levels are a reflection of where you values are being ignored.

Key #2: Use Your Fears to Fuel Your Passions

Did you know that your greatest challenge is actually your greatest gift?

All the anxiety and sleepless nights of my former career helped me see with great clarity all the things I didn’t want in my new career. And with clarity comes movement.

When I discovered coaching, my whole body, mind and spirit came into alignment and lit up.

I finally felt at home and could at long last, catch my breath.

I’ve turned my fears into my life’s mission: to help other unfulfilled and stressed out executives make the leap towards doing work that feeds their heart, mind and spirit, while still paying the bills.

How can you flip your fears into passion with purpose?

Key #3: Discover Your Genius Zone

What amazing talents do you have?

You know, the ones that come so naturally, you probably take them for granted?

We all do.

When I started focusing my energies in my “Genius Zone” – that sweet spot where my talents, passions and core values all intersect, my business really took off.

It’s that natural place of flow,

Where things unfold with less effort and more satisfaction.

I’ve learned whole-heartedly, that the more you can operate from flow – that place that allows you to honor your values, feed your passions, and contribute your genius,

You will naturally attract to you, greater happiness, success and well-being.

Claim Your Happiness

Keeping these 3 keys in mind, answer these questions for yourself.

You too can find your happiness and create a life you love.

Leave a comment… and tell me about your wake-up call moment that you’ve been struggling with.

I’d like to know.

I read all the comments.

- Michele