I deeply respect my mom & dad; they have always represented hard work, generosity, love, and support, and I admire their life in many ways (e.g., mom just painted with Don Sahli in Mexico, dad passionately sings with the Dudley Birder Chorale). I recognize both as wildly successful, and I am grateful to have two parents who passionately take care in my wellbeing.

&&

When I got off the phone with my dad last November after explaining extreme dissonance in my current position, I knew I would not take his advice. It was not bad advice, by any means, but it was advice for him, not for me.

We all have limiting beliefs - beliefs which are not, necessarily, bad or wrong. For example, “If this pathway lead to my success, it must be THE pathway to success!” The traditional route from {University to Graduate Studies with Straight A’s to Established Career} worked for my parents; they have accurate data to suggest this pathway leads to a good life. And this pathway may work for you, too – or for my friends, my neighbors, & my past self.

But you know the ending to this story: I quit.

I quit my well-paid, “successful,” “I made it” job last November just a few months after accepting the position, and just a few months before the project’s end. I quit because a longing in my chest ached for more; I quit because I was no longer my best self – at work, at home, in my relationships, & as the owner of Yes&; I quit because I knew I had something more to offer the world.

Brooke Castillo spoke to me last week in a podcast episode regarding belief: not only do we teach others how to treat us by how we treat ourselves, but we teach others how to believe in us by how we believe in ourselves.

I was scared as heck when I quit my job in November; I laid, face down, on my office floor and cried. And. More powerful than my fear was my trust. I trust my longing for more. I trust my ability to support myself in a different way. I trust my ability to thrive – my NECESSITY to thrive, and that ultimately my unique path will benefit this world far beyond any other job I might assume out of fear, obligation, or desire for acceptance.

I didn’t tell my parents I quit because I recognized my parents’ biases & deep concern for my wellbeing alongside my fear & simultaneous trust in self (& in the universe). That concoction was not a beneficial one to stir together, so I didn’t tell them. Instead, I drew a hard boundary. I followed my gut, made a REALLY hard decision, and chose trust.

What happened? I got a job offer the next day. THE NEXT DAY. In a position that not only utilized my skills in evaluation, but yoga & coaching & pursuing our best lives. And then I went to Thailand because I could request a January 1st start date.

And I told my parents AFTER I made this decision because I knew I was doing something scary, and although my life coach could support me through the process – I recognized my parents bias may only feed the fear, rather than the trust.

Because I told my parents after I quit, I was able to present data that I was still okay. “I quit my job. And I already have another.” Because I trust my heart. Because I trust signs from the universe. Because I believe in myself whole-heartedly. Because sometimes, that’s really scary to do.

Align & experience your full, authentic life. Find more at yesandbymarin.com