In his Dec 8, 2015 blog post, Full Speed, then stop, gracefully, Seth Godin said “Quitting slowly doesn’t serve you well.” No – “Professionals bring their A game to work. Every time. (Rare sports analogy: this is how good hockey players skate. Full speed, then stop.)”
Yeah – no stress man. When this blog post hit my email, Renee and I were in New York – both of us skating intense ice hockey. While I was bringing my A-game that December day, my mind kept drifting elsewhere – to the decision I’d made months ago about a different future. Seth’s post touched a nerve and I internalized it as a sign to channel my inner Wayne Gretzky – focus on where I am, not where I will be next.
Knowing that the holidays were imminent; vacation and family time approaching – I buckled down, set aside my personal hobbies and daydreams; took care of business. How’s that working for ya girl?
Something was off, not right – couldn’t put my finger on it. So stressed out. Finally – at long last, I understood. The decision and timing is mine; doesn’t belong to anyone else. I was waiting and hoping for something outside of my control; giving over my story to someone else. Revisiting Seth’s post I see he also said:
“Of course you will need to close things down, quit your job, move on someday. The responsible way to do that, though, is not to act things out while you agonize over a decision. Decide, give notice, make the transition work.”
Decide, give notice, make the transition work.
Leaving my work home of 26 years – the comforting routine, my very good friends; and walking a new path is intimidating. I know my strengths where I am – the value I bring. This new vision … unknown, foreign; risky – exciting; Eek! Can’t live in both camps. Not possible. It’s time to set aside the skates and help the team carry on. The story is mine.
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
“All changes, even the most longed for have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another.” – Anatole France
You hit the nail on the head Sharon … there are no regrets for today and the future – but when we live with passion and bring our whole selves to work, it’s sad and bittersweet to set a part of ourselves aside. Reminds me of the song “Reminiscing” by Little River Band. It’s a happy sad.
It is impossible to read this and not think of myself and reflect on my own retirement. Like the final quote you used by A. France, a part of you dies. Lots of things to look forward to, but always a hole in my heart, a grieving. No regrets, mind you, but always knowing that all those years are a part of who I am. .. part of the “village” who raised me. Moved to a different village with more things to learn.