How To Quit Your Job The Right Wayfeatured

I have been writing my entire life. It has always been my dream to move the world with my words.

Most recently, I have coached someone on their first book, I have had a personal story published in an online publication, and I have started this blog you are reading right now.

I realized that dreams don’t just “happen” to you, you must make them happen. You must will them, work toward them and believe with every ounce in your heart that you are capable and worthy of accomplishing all of them.

I am not going to lie, I once thought a degree could make all your dreams happen. I worked hard to get my undergrad and graduate degrees in communications. I took one look at the paper they hand you when you are done and realized it wasn’t as magical as I might have thought it would be.

Anyway, one day I realized I was letting my dreams dim.

I became complacent at a 9 to 5 job. It wasn’t so much because I stopped believing in myself, it was more about paying that new mortgage every month. And although some days were better than others, my detective dad’s voice always echoes in my head, “stay on your mission.” And so I did just that.

A few years went by and my dreams started tugging at my heart. My fingers wanted to write as much as my heart did. I started taking action in my writing career.

Careers don’t just show up, you must make them happen with a lot of hard work and grit.

After some years of searching, hoping, and working at it, I was offered my dream job. It all happened like a movie. I applied at 2 o’clock in the morning and was given a job offer some hours later. It almost seemed like I didn’t deserve it, but wait! I so did. I worked so hard to get to this point in my life. I mean, I had worked my entire life to get here.

So, how would I break it to my current employer? How would I tell them I was going to move on? I decided to do it with a lot of gratitude, love and respect.

I ambushed my two mentors and told them I couldn’t hold it in any longer. I looked them both in the eye and said how thankful I was to have had such a secure job for so many years. I also let them know they were a huge part of my growth since I worked for them from 22 to 28 years old.

I have never seen such shocked looks on people’s faces. We all got a bit teary-eyed. It was like I was telling them I was moving to another continent.

Their jaws dropped, their smiles fell but their eyes looked like they were filling up with love.

They both told me how proud they were of me and how they knew this day would come for me-the day when I would get to shine on my own.

I then went around my office and told every department in my own way that I was leaving in a little over a week. Just when I thought no one would notice, I saw the same looks come across their faces as those of my two bosses. I got hugs and beautiful words of encouragement, joy, support and overall love.

I was overwhelmed with feelings of accomplishment and sadness. It was the most bittersweet moment of my life.

I have watched employees come and go, but never with grace. They have slammed the doors behind them and consequently slammed the doors in front of them in the process. I refused to do this. I mean, some employees didn’t even say the words “goodbye,” or “thank you.” I always thought this was a little rude and ungrateful, but to each their own, right?

Everyone chooses their entrance and exit from one chapter to another and I hope my exit can set an example for others who may have to exit sometime in the future.

Love Deeply and Forever,

Karen

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