Bernini’s Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of Four Rivers)
In the fall of 2009, I received a call from a former coworker while I was in Italy.
We had been in Rome, walking amongst the ruins of the Colosseum, and gaping at artwork from the likes of Michelangelo and Bernini. It was a pilgrimage trip for us. Being Italian and French, I was excited to head “home,” while my husband, the artist and museum tour guide, was anxious to see masterpieces in person.
I was working in Chicago Radio at the time, and I guess you could say I was in a bit of a career rut. With the introduction of online radio stations, employees had been laid off due to shrinking revenues, morale was down, and radio just wasn’t the same anymore. I wasn’t unhappy, just blah about it. I loved the people, enjoyed meeting celebrities and had been able to travel to some really cool places as part of my job, but I wasn’t excited anymore. I wasn’t engaged.
One year prior, my friend had left our cluster of Chicago radio stations to work for another media company across the river. The TV/Radio/Newspaper conglomerate had attracted a number of radio employees and a new division had been started where my friend was the business manager. When she called to ask me if I was ready for a new adventure, I jumped at her offer without even asking for more information about the role. It ended up being a fulfilling, although short, gig. I had a lot of fun, made new friends, and got to stretch my creative muscle on a daily basis.
Fast forward ten years.
Lucky me, getting to speak at this event
I’m eight years into working for a major insurance company. I know—I never thought I’d end up in insurance. Who knew it could be just as exciting as the entertainment industry. I started in their home office and by year five was offered a new role at a new office they were opening in Chicago. It was awesome to be able to go back to the city, and be in an environment with an exciting vibe.
But when the phone rings again, this time it was an HR recruiter telling me how her company is looking for someone to lead engagement. Again, I jumped at the offer.
Truth be told, I wasn’t necessarily unhappy in my current role, but I was casually looking on LinkedIn for other opportunities. One that would allow me to do what I do best. The daily commute was beginning to wear on me and the long days were draining. And I was in another rut, feeling as if nothing I was doing could move the needle and unable to make leaders understand the importance of an infrastructure at a new office. Many of the operational duties fell to me, because I knew what needed to happen. However, I barely had enough energy at the end of the day to watch a one-hour show with my hubby. I had no time to exercise or work on my novel. There was never enough time.
But again, I will state, I wasn’t unhappy. I’d made friends and connections who have taught me more than I could’ve ever imagined. I went through leadership training, traveled to new places, started an MBA program, and had spoken on stages in front of hundreds of people. I learned a lot and coped with challenges, both professional and personal, making me a stronger leader.
Yet, I knew it was time to move on.
Tomorrow is my last day. It will be bittersweet, and I will have twelve days to reboot before I start my new gig. I’m excited to start working on strategies for my new role, maybe take a spa day (or two), shop for a new wardrobe (it’s been t-shirts for three years), and work on my novel (NaNoWriMo starts November 1st). I feel like this move came at just the right time. Just like that day in Italy, when my friend asked me if I was interested in starting a new journey. I may not know what lies ahead, but I’m in.