What was the hardest decision you had to make in order to pursue your career

Hi Cyana,

I think there were a number of difficult decisions that I made during my career because it was so diverse and I was always looking to take on more challenges. However, the one that comes to mind (and that hasn't already been addressed) was when I made the decision to leave a job that I loved because the company's culture was very caustic. The most valuable lesson I learned from that experience was that culture is an essential foundation to a company's well-being. It starts at the top and filters down throughout the organization. It can also take a turn positive or negative within a department or division. From that I learned to ask more questions about a company's culture before taking other positions down the road. It became an essential part of my journey and my leadership style.

Moving. For me, it was relocating for a new, better, higher paying job. 

I was young at 29 years old, a homeowner, married, and the father of a 4-year-old daughter living in my childhood hometown in Southern California. 

I interviewed for a new higher paying job in Northern California. I got the job and started a new opportunity by moving to Northern California. 

It was a hard decision to make to relocate, uproot family, sell and buy a new home, and get used to a new job with a new employer in a new big city (San Francisco).  

But, by moving, I was able to pursue my career and be a better financial provider for my family. 

Coincidentally, nearly 10 years later, my job in San Francisco was transferred to North Carolina.  I chose not to move to North Carolina. I had to find a new job at a new company to provide for my family. It was stressful time... but it all worked out....

I was doing work that fit my values in so many ways and I was good at it. However, it required working 70 hours a week and I kept finding myself sick. I saw other colleagues around me, and they were fine. They were able to work, go to the gym, see their friends and family, and still come to work ready to face the day. For me, working that much exhausted me and I stopped going out, calling friends, and doing other things to take care of myself.

The thing was, I really believed in the work we were doing and I was getting accolades for the work I was doing. But one day I realized that I wasn't really able to give my all to the job because I was constantly having to fight exhaustion and stress. I realized that I am a person who needs time. This might mean watching tv, going to the gym, or seeing friends. However, it also meant that I could only work 40 hours max. I had to quit that job and I was devastated and angry at myself.

Over time, I have realized that there are so many ways to utilize our skill sets and values in a variety of jobs. I reevaluated my strengths and challenges and what I needed to feel healthy. I am currently in graduate school studying something I love and my internship confirms that I really like the work I will be doing. I also picked a field where I knew I could work 40 hours a week. (That's not to say there are people in my field who work a lot more). I think knowing myself and my needs was a really difficult decision because it meant having to adjust my expectations. However, I know in the long-run, it helped me find something I love doing, that still allows me to help others, uses skills I enjoy and am strong in, and will allow me to live a healthier life.

I had to go back to school at night to get my Master's Degree in Counseling, and I had just gotten married and school took a lot of my time along with a full time job. But I am glad I chose to do so!

Marilyn Lowry