Thursday 26 January 2012

Leaping into the unknown


I've spent the last few weeks trying to decide whether or not to take an unexpected job offer. For the first time in my life, I wasn't just thinking about my career. I was thinking about quality of life and having time for something I love: running.

When I shared my dilemma I never expected such open, varied responses. Some felt the job should definitely come first. Others said that if running was important enough, I would find a way to prioritize it no matter how busy I was at work. A few of you were thinking of changing careers one day so that running could play a larger part in your lives. Then there were those of you who made some big sacrifices to ensure a balance between work, family life and running. Thanks so much to all of you who took the time to share your thoughts, dreams and stories. I loved hearing them.


On Tuesday--after a lot of thinking and re-thinking--I accepted the job.


I'm a little anxious about the challenges a new job always brings, and I'm afraid I might not meet the expectations of my new employers. Most of all, I'm terrified that running will slowly slip away from me without my realizing it, and one day I'll wake up to find that running was just something I did a very long time ago.

But these fears and challenges are precisely why I decided to take the job. I know that facing them will make me a stronger person. And no matter what happens, I'll learn a lot. I still have dreams of changing careers one day and living a life with more time for the things I care about. But for now, I feel like I have nothing to lose by taking this opportunity.

I'm still waiting to confirm a start date, but it will likely be the beginning of March or April. Luckily that gives me some time to start planning how everything is going to work. Because even with this new job I have my first marathon and triathlon to train for....and I want my running to improve! Some big changes are ahead.

@rowenanews recently shared some sage words from the athletes she met at Run and Become. One quote in particular stuck in my mind:

There's no such thing as failure, only experience.

I'm going to take a leap into the great unknown and try to enjoy every experience this new life brings.

.

4 comments:

  1. Good for you. Look at what you've achieved in a pair of running shoes, if you can face the challenges of training and crossing the finish line smiling, you can face the challenges of a brand new job ... easy peasy!!

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    1. Thanks, Jenny! I'm still worried about whether I'll be able to do both successfully, but I'm going to give it my best shot.

      Either that or die of exhaustion! :)

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  2. good choice Hayley. good because it's what feels right for you :) I have no doubt that you'll find your new balance quickly enough...

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    1. Thanks very much! I think there might be some bumps along the way but I hope to find the right balance as soon as I can.

      PS
      I'm not Hayley but thank you all the same! ;)

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