Leaving So Soon?
Most of us like to see someone stand up to “THE BOSS” and say I QUIT. Marina Shifrin did it on YouTube. Her dance went viral. Seems like it stuck a nerve. With over 14 million views, you might wonder—Now What?
Great question. She might be wondering the same thing.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A4-Y7eW0Is[/youtube]
Unanswered Questions Don’t Go Away
“Now What” seems to be the one question that goes unanswered. It may sound sexy to throw caution to the wind and leave your day job. But, most of the time impulse decisions don’t eliminate the ache; they only prolong the pain. (Tweet This or Share on Facebook)
Your Prison Break Needs A Payoff
Andy Dufresne (played by Tim Robbins) eventually escaped Shawshank. By developing his plan and envisioning his payoff, he ran toward his future and escaped his present.
Obviously he didn’t want Shawshank—no one would. But toward the end of the movie we find out what he actually wanted—a life in Zihuatanejo.
Andy told his friend Red about this little town right on the Pacific. He chose the Pacific because the Mexicans say the ocean has no memory. Plagued with a heavy past, Andy wanted to create a new life. He informed Red about his dream to open a little hotel right on the beach. He’d buy a worthless old boat and fix it up like new to take guests out charter fishing. This was his payoff.
Two Things My Mentor Told Me
Before I left Indiana for Ohio to become a youth pastor, my mentor Dr. David Plaster told me two things:
- He told me I’d probably stay 5 years. In his mind I was meant to serve in as a #1, not a #2.
- He also told when I did leave to make sure I was being called to something else and not simply escaping.
His words hung with me.
Turns out he was right about some things and wrong about others. I was meant to serve in a #1 position, but in a business, not in a church. And I ended up staying 11.5 years not 5 years. It took me that long to identify my “something else.” Of course at times I wanted to leave earlier. But at that point I would have just been escaping.
Then what?
Now I’m glad I stayed as long as I did—all 11.5 years. It makes my life in “Zihuatanejo” feel that much better.
QUESTION: Do you believe you should leave your day job without feeling called to something else? (Please comment below. I’d love to hear your thoughts. And if you know someone who needs to read this, please encourage them by sharing this post)