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?
- 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.
Darlene, I love your post! I will have to think about those charms I have from my corporate days!
Amy, thank you so much! It was truly a great “aha” moment for me, and made me realize that I needed to take a look at my previous life and find those “charms”.
Let me know what you discover! Have a great day!
Darlene
Great job? Love the charm bracelet idea!
continue your new journey.
Hello,
Thank you so much!! Would love to hear about your charm bracelet!
Let me know..
Darlene
Darlene, this post was fabulous. I am currently pursuing my MBA and even though I have been in HR for nearly 9 years, I still feel like an infant in this corporate world. I am still trying to figure out my charms.
Thank you,
Patricia Knight
http://patriciaknight.wordpress.com/
Pat, hello and thank you so much! Congrats on working on your MBA! It took me retiring before I started figuring out those charms, and I am still working it!
Good luck, and let me know what you discover!,
Thanks,
Darlene
Incredibly powerful, Darlene! Very timely too.
I am preparing a workshop for next Tuesday on the theme “Starting Over”, Women start Your own Revolution…
As I was discussing this with my mentor, yesterday, she (a very wise senior woman) told me:
“Before starting over, don’t forget to honour where you come from and be grateful for the exepiences, people and events that have forged you along your path.
This left me speechless…I was already in my “revolution” mode, starting all over again and sweeping the floor 🙂
Your post and superb metaphor reminded me, just as my magical mentor did, the power of our experiences.
I might refer to you and your lucky charm bracelet next tuesday!
Thanks a lot, and thanls to Jane for inviting such guests!
Marion, hello and thank you for your encouraging words! I am delighted that the timing worked for you and your workshop, and I would be thrilled for you to use it. I love the title and can I join you in the Revolution?
Have a great workshop and I look forward to staying connected.
Darlene
Your metaphor of the Charm Bracelet is perfect, Darlene. Thank you for providing this visual image that so beautifully describes our lives as women.
I’ve been away from the corporate world for many years, and have recently decided to develop a program based on what I taught there and in a course I developed and taught at UCLA on Organizational Power & Politics – some 25 years ago. I recently spent several days going through my students’ journals and was struck by how relevant and needed what I taught then is today.
Now I see that I am picking up a forgotten charm from those days many years ago. And I am smiling as I remember my own beloved Charm Bracelet, with the gold baton from my baton-twirling days.
What a gift you have given me with this post — I will be smiling all day, and perhaps much longer:)
Kat, hello and thank you so much! So glad that I brought joy to your day! The charm bracelet is a great reminder of our past lives that we don’t want to forget and the memories that go with it are priceless! Glad to know that those forgotten charms are still meaningful today. Get out that baton and have fun! Thanks again and keep smiling! Darlene
I came across this link on twitter just today and it really hit at the perfect time. I am taking a slight jog in my career and leaving the organization I have come to know very well for the past 17 years. I’m stepping into a similar role but totally different organization and this got me thinking about what I am taking and what I need to leave behind me. It leaves me a lot to reflect upon before I take that first step into the new offices. Thanks for the reflection.
Tammy, hello there! Wow, I am so happy that you found “charm bracelet” and it has helped you on your journey. It’s so easy to forget all the “charms” that we do have and focus on what we don’t have, especially when you are changing organizations and jobs. Just remember that all your life experiences are what got you where you are today and then you can choose which ones you want to work on, remove and take with you.
I wish you the very best in your new organization and please let me know if I can help in any way.
Have a great day and remember, you can make those choices.
Good Luck,
Darlene