What’s in your “previous life” toolkit?
I’ve been thinking that Jane might be reading my mind.
For the last 36 years, during my corporate first act, my idea of success was defined by how high up the ladder I could climb. Like the woman Jane described in “Success—Where Are You Aiming?” I questioned whether the success I thought I’d wanted was worth the price. When I read Jane’s statement about “taking off my corporate charm bracelet”, she stopped me in my tracks once again. I couldn’t think of a better way to describe what I’ve been going through.
I retired last year, and my first reaction during this journey through transition was to take off my corporate charm bracelet and run as fast and as far away as I could from that world. Now that I have had some time and space to get my life back, I no longer feel that way. A really dear friend told me that everything she has done in her life has led her to where she is today, and I agree. It turns out my corporate days were just getting me prepared for my incredible next act, and how much fun I am having now! I started to wonder if we really needed to take off the corporate charm bracelet. Could it be that parts of it are worth keeping?
You can call your past experiences anything that you want—they could be your tool kit, or charm bracelet, or whatever works for you. It also doesn’t have to be corporate; it could be your years as a stay-at-home Mom, or whatever you did earlier in your life. But just because they’re in the past doesn’t mean we have to shed every bit of them. Those experiences all prepare us for where we are today and are the foundation for our next act! What did you learn or experience that you absolutely want to keep?
Life toolkit lessons
My corporate experience was my “college,” and with that experience, I feel like I earned my “MBA” in leadership, business and most importantly, people.
Here are just a few of the key things from my life toolkit that I learned and will take with me:
- Leadership. I had the opportunity to see and interact with all types of leaders, the amazing, the good, the bad, and the ugly. What a great learning experience for me – leadership in action!
- Communication. I learned how important clear and meaningful communication is, and how to really leverage collaborative efforts and to develop strategic partners.
- People. The most important learning for me was to develop people by leveraging their strengths and to build teams and communities.
- Passion. I learned how important it is to have a strong passion for whatever you do. I saw it in the business world and it needs to apply to every aspect of our personal lives, too. What makes you laugh? What do you love to do?
Leaving my corporate life was the start of a new journey for me.
It was a lot like taking a road trip in a red convertible—exciting, but scary, full of surprises, but also full of challenges and detours. And you know what? My corporate charm bracelet was full of tools that helped guide me on my journey, but it was also missing one big piece. I needed more self-care in my life. I needed to change directions and find myself again. I had been so good at taking care of the corporation, my family, my friends and everything in the world, that I had truly forgotten to take care of me. I wasn’t even sure I knew how to start doing that, but once I set out on my journey, I realized it was something I could pick up along the way.
When I discovered coaching 8 years ago, that was the start of learning how to take care of me, and I have been slowly, but consistently, taking better care of my needs. Self-care has turned out to be one of the most valuable additions to my charm bracelet.
Another key charm that I have added along the way is choice. I didn’t realize for a very long time that I did have a choice to say yes or no, or counter. Somehow, no was not in my vocabulary. It’s been added and I am learning the graceful art of saying no and setting boundaries.
With this new charm bracelet that combines the amazing things from my corporate life with the welcome additions of self-care, choice, and a few more charms, I feel as though I have finally integrated all the parts of my life. I have a new charm bracelet, I’m enjoying the scenery as I head out on my journey, and am now truly ready to go on to my second act!
I always used to say, “how great would it be to do something that you truly loved and get paid for it?” That’s what coaching has given me—a passion and a way to make a living that’s rewarding and fulfilling. What fun!
What about you?
What’s on your charm bracelet or tool kit from your previous work or life experiences?
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- What will you take off as you start your journey through transition?
- What will you add?
- How will you integrate?
I would love to hear from you!
Today’s thought-provoking and inspiring post is from Darlene Templeton, owner of Templeton and Associates, where she specializes in transition and transformation coaching. She is an experienced corporate coach, recognized leader and change agent. She brings thirty-five years of experience in the corporate environment. Darlene is an “out of the box” thinker and uses that ability to engage leaders and their teams to get extraordinary results.
