Taking a Chance on Yourself
Posted by Elizabeth
One of my favorite columns in the Sunday New York Times is Preoccupations, a small square of space dedicated to the unusual career paths that people have chosen for themselves. As a former career counselor, I can’t help but be fascinated by the ways in which people recast their professional identities, morphing from journalist to boat builder, or Wall Street whiz to communication coach who specializes in introverts. We have a great deal to learn from the stories of others; hearing successful anecdotes of people who’ve taken the plunge to rewrite their life helps us to make the leap when we’re faced with similar choices.
Often, Preoccupation stories revolve around choosing between the well-worn path and the road not taken. In my own life, these have been some of the most difficult decisions to make. Do I stay in this graduate program or switch to another? Do I stick to this career path or start over in a new one? Do I continue with this steady job or travel around the world? While I tend towards risk-taking, it’s usually not without a great deal of vacillation, which is what attracted me to last week’s column, Taking a Chance On Yourself. Here is the story of a young woman who traded in a lucrative business consulting position for a shot at entrepreneurship after trying time and again to make the conventional path work (to no avail). Although she is quick to point out the pitfalls of starting one’s own business – long hours, uncertain outcomes, financial concerns, the constant threat of failure – she reminds us that,
No matter how tough things get, I wake up every morning with renewed hope and excitement for what lies ahead. The fact that I am working on my passion gives meaning to even the most mundane tasks.
Reading those words sent a chill up my spine. When we take a chance on ourselves and dare to engage our passions, everything we do crackles with life. When we follow our natural energies and inclinations, what others perceive as risks suddenly don’t feel risky. In the words of Ms. Gupta, “Work is no longer work. It is life, and a good one.”
What risks have you taken in your own professional life that did – or didn’t – pay off? Are you facing any dilemmas right now?
July 16th, 2010 at 6:10 am
I have played it very, very safe in my life. I regret it sometimes. The only real risk I took was getting engaged, quitting my job, moving, getting married and getting pregnant all within an 18 month span.
July 16th, 2010 at 6:42 am
Well, KW, you might usually play it safe, but it sounds like you took care of a lifetime of risk-taking in one 18-month period!
July 16th, 2010 at 9:13 am
I love reading these stories as much as anyone, really I do.
But what I struggle with is the implication that if you haven’t done something incredibly creative and risky, striking out on your own with an idea and limitless energy, then you haven’t followed your dreams. You haven’t taken enough of a chance on yourself. I love working my 9-to-5 job. I enjoy my work and my colleagues, I feel like I’m making a difference, and I know I’m making a good financial decision. I don’t want to be self-employed, to follow these paths less taken. So I guess I get a bit defensive when I read these stories.
Does this make sense?
(Whew! How’s that for a Friday rant?)
July 16th, 2010 at 11:08 am
Hi, Eva,
Thanks for writing! I don’t think you have to take daring risks to take a chance on yourself. I think if you’re pursuing work — and a life — that you love (and if sounds like you are) that you’ve made it. Some people feel that need to take a leap; others don’t. Taking a chance on yourself will mean different things to different people. Personally, I wouldn’t want to be self-employed either! But for some, that kind of autonomy is what they’ll need to feel fulfilled. What I’ve always appreciated about the Preoccupations column is that sometimes they highlight people who were forced to leave their professions for one reason or another, but made the most of the less-than-ideal situation by “rewriting” their life into something new.
July 19th, 2010 at 9:43 am
Yes, I like these too – stories of taking this really rotten situation and making it into a life-changing opportunity.
I think most any time you change jobs – even within the same company or industry – it is taking a chance on yourself. Believing in yourself, and letting that confidence override all the fear of change and the unknown.