Final days of freedom

Society6
For my dear friends that have been with me for the past two + years, you may recall that a short eleven months ago, I quit my job to co-found a start-up nonprofit organization.  Not only was I leaving a company and industry in which I had built my career but I'd also be exploring the world of working from home and diving into the nonprofit community with an unpaid position.

Working from home was / is an exercise in self-discipline.  It's also a little like Tom Hanks on Cast Away.  I woke up every morning at 7:30 am, shower and change into 'real' clothes and kept as normal of a schedule as I could, even though my commute consisted of walking to the other bedroom.  I never turned on the tv before 6 pm and I didn't take naps.  Oftentimes, the only real live person that I would see during the day was my UPS guy (aka 2012 best friend award winner).  I talked to myself.  I missed my coworkers but enjoyed the flexibility around my schedule, occasionally working from coffee shops and the fact that I could go grocery shopping during the week days.  And there was also this.

Our experience with the nonprofit community was 99% positive.  We met a lot of encouraging and supportive people who applauded our efforts and ideas.  We were also interrogated, examined, poked and prodded for the soundness of our mission and final product.  I'm happy to say that we have been able to flourish under the scrutiny.  There were / are pockets of doubt and those who said that we were terribly naive.  I won't deny that we may have been a little naive about what we were getting into but we were prepared for it.  We were willing to work hard and did.

Ultimately, we realized that funding for our nonprofit is going to involve a much longer-term time frame than what we had initially planned for.  Our organization is structured such that it can operate under an all-volunteer model.  I plan on being very involved in the leadership of the organization as well as the strategic direction that it goes in.

When I left my job, a lot of people thought I was crazy / brave to leave for a start up and for zero moneys.  I consider myself lucky to have had this opportunity and to have met the people I have during the past year.  I have a very encouraging support system and I was / am fortunate to have the financial flexibility to take on this endeavor.

The takeaway from all this for you is don't be afraid to do something risky, unexpected and different.  Don't be afraid of failure.  I've learned more in 2012 than I did during the last three years at my old job.  You'll never know that you're capable (or not capable) of if you don't try and in not trying and giving it a shot, you only cheat yourself.  Oh the road is tough and the emotional roller coaster is the most volatile one I've been on.  But the personal growth and development that you get out of it is exponential.

I start my new job on Friday and walk into the oblivion again, not knowing what to expect.  More stability than 2012?  Maybe.  But either way, I'm looking forward to what's to come and greatly have appreciated all your support and company during my last adventure.


Comments

  1. You were much more disciplined at working from home than I am. I'm still trying to figure out what schedule works best for me. Good luck on Friday!! You are and will continue to be amazing at whatever you choose to do. :)

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  2. Those are some serious words of wisdom right there! It's really inspiring that you took a risk and went for something different and challenging and you're still here in one piece. More than one piece, you benefited from the experience.

    I hope everything goes well with the new job! Change is always a little uncomfortable but it usually gets us to the better places. :)

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  3. Great post - I know what working from home is like (as I currently do that) and I too have a routine and dress "properly" to sit at my desk.

    I hope Friday goes well for you and you'll truly enjoy your new job. Good luck! xo

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  4. I've always longed to work from home, the flexibility and not being squashed in someone's armpit on the tube is so very appealing. But unlike you, I lacked the bravery to take the leap. Fingers crossed that Friday goes well for you. x

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  5. this post comes at just the right moment :) good luck with your new job!!

    xxo

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  6. Sounds like fun! I've often been tempted to start my own not for profit, I sometimes get so frustrated with the workings of a well established one and find myself asking "does it have to be this way? or is it just like this because it's how they've always done it?". And then I think it would be terribly naive of me to go out and think that I could do it differently. Also I do not have the skills or the self discipline! It is tempting though... maybe the world of consultancy is the way to go. I don't know. Well done you for having the courage!

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  7. Sounds like you had quite the journey. I wish I had something a little more poignant to say, but I really enjoyed reading this. I'm always so fascinated about other people's careers and how they got there and so on. Good luck in your new endeavors!

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  8. Wow, you're so brave! But it sounds like it was a great experience!

    I know a lot of people who leave their jobs to start tech start ups. It's so crazy what you can accomplish if you just step closer to the ledge...

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  9. I think it's good to do things that you know are right, but that don't sound like they will work or don't seem right for other people. I admire your courage!

    And also..I can't stop thinking about that quote from yesterday or whenever it was. I definitely pinned it. Why do I love it so much??!

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  10. All I can is good luck with the new job, Rooth! What you did took guts and something you should be proud of. It's great to do these kinds of things while you're young:)

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  11. I admire your bravery so much. I wish I were as brave! I would quit my job tomorrow and write full-time if I possessed even an iota of the self-assuredness that you do. Here's to the next chapter :) xo

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  12. I have been so curious what you do professionally. I think I started following you just after to took the plunge into your non-profit endeavor. I knew you were cool, but I had NO IDEA how ballsy you are. ;) I'm inspired by your passion and fearlessness! It's obvious you'll be more than fantastic in your new role! Good luck!

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  13. I've been in a similar situation, so I know how hard it is when things don't go quite as you planned. But you are walking away smarter & stronger, so when the next opportunity arises, you'll be ready to pounce! :-)

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  14. I work as a volunteer in the non-profit industry and it definitely isn't easy but I wouldn't trade my experiences for anything. So curious what kind of non-profit you were in. Good luck on the new job!

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  15. It's like semester break is over and now you're headed back school. Spring break will be here before you know it.

    I'm in awe of your discipline! I would have been rolling out of bed at 10:00...or maybe going to bed at 10:00am.

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  16. Such a lovely post to read, very motivating. I wish only the very best at your new job Rooth.

    xo erica

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  17. Wow!!! You definitely were very brave to do this... I am looking for a new job as the one I had didn't work out. I am looking into uncertainty but unlike other times I'm confident that the right one will come along and I will finally thrive in it...

    Wish you the very best on this new endeavor as I'm sure you will do an amazing job!

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  18. Oh wow, beautiful story & so well written. I have to applaud you. What you did was not an easy feat by any means -- it took a lot of confidence, will power and self discipline. I can not imagine how proud you must feel -- I know I would if I were you.

    Beautiful story -- and very inspiring! I hope to start my own business some day and your post definitely encouraged me more so. It's a scary thing to do -- to venture off into the unknown but... worth it! In SO many ways, it'll be worth it.

    I'm happy for you. :)

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  19. A good day to you, Rooth! They'll absolutely love you, I'm certain of it. Also, I can tell you from experience, starting at the end of the week is the best idea ever. Easing in, dontcha know.

    PS--Look at us--working from home and then starting new ventures at the same time! :)

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  20. I love this Rooth. I hope everything goes well with your new job!

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  21. This is very moving. I have failed a lot and I believe I still am failing now. There are times that I wanted to quit already but I'm still hoping it'll be as good. Once I'm done with school, I'll take your advice. It's a crazy world outside the university. And if you're not wild enough to take risks then you'll be doomed. Hihi thanks! :D

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  22. Great post, and so inspiring! Remind me of "A year of love is better than a lifetime of loneliness" type idea. If you never try, you'll never know! Good luck with your new job!

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  23. Very inspirational. I'm thinking of changing careers but lack the courage to quit without finding a stable job yet. But I've been getting lots of encouragement from friends so I will see if I do make that step into the unknown.

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  24. Wow, you did what most people would never ever risk doing. Thanks for sharing about this experience. Good luck with the next episode in your life!

    LUXESSED

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  25. I've had a lot of friends join or start start ups or non-profits. But I know it's not for me. I hope you the best in your journey (and I'm catching up on posts to see if you talk more about your new job.)

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