A few years ago I left my job as a television executive to become a life coach.  As you might imagine there were people who told me I was out of my mind to leave such a position.  These are the same people who consider a job in TV a dream job, and on a certain level I would agree.  I was working with celebrities, making movies, and going to the Emmys.  After a while, though, I realized this wasn’t my dream job.    
 
Many things were going on in my life at this time that were causing me pause.  I was on the verge of engagement to a guy I knew wasn’t right for me.  I was spending countless hours focusing on all the things that aggravated me about my boss instead of enjoying the tasks at hand.  And I was becoming increasingly challenged by the fear-driven nature of the entertainment industry.  I was questioning my happiness.
 
For the past several years before this, I had started a yearly ritual with my girlfriends that I called “Out with the Old… In with the New”.  Every January we would get together and throw out all the “stuff” – physical, emotional, mental – that we did not want to bring into the new year.  When that was cleared out, we would spend the rest of the day setting goals, writing down action steps and committing to what we wanted our new year to bring.  Throughout the year we supported and held each other accountable in attaining those very goals.  There was no question – this made me happy.  

A friend of mine had recommended me for a very big, dream job at a very big, dream network.  I didn’t know if I actually wanted that job (nor if I could do that job), but I decided to put my hat in the ring anyway.  I hired a career counselor to help me prepare for the meeting.  In the midst of our working together the big job went away – literally disappearing before I ever had a chance to interview.  As I shared the news with my counselor, I heard myself blurt out, “You know what I would do if I could do anything?”  “What?” she asked.  “I would facilitate personal awareness workshops!”  She looked at me with very little expression and said, “Why don’t you become a life coach?”  “That, too!”  I paused.  “What is a life coach exactly?”
 
Five months later, I enrolled in a coaching certification program.  Nine months later I received my certification.  And literally sixteen days after that I was let go from a dream job that paid me abundantly to leave.  I happily started my dream job the very next day. 
 
For more information and upcoming events visit my website at www.ZievCoaching.com.