Though I’m nearing the last few questions of the conversation-starter questions of the My Intent Project, this will be my final post for it. I’ve fallen off my posting “schedule” and I think I’ve talked enough about myself by now. I’m typically open to discussing my life and thoughts with anyone who has the time to listen and engage with me. Don’t ever feel like you can’t reach out and ask me. I might be more interested in your take on life and your thoughts though.
I chose this 2-part question as my final post because it seems to be one that I’ve answered a lot more recently due to my right turn towards another career field. I am pursuing Early Childhood Education after 13 years of bookkeeping and staff accountant roles at various companies.
Those who ask me this question wonder…
“How did you know it was time?” It was an accumulation of moments for me. My longest time was with a travel/leisure company for 8 years. I lasted as long because I was progressively promoted about after the first through third year, and stayed in my final role for five years. Then, the pandemic arrived and I was part of the reduction in force layoff. If my life was a book, it would be the last couple of years in the accounting chapter of my life. I tried to restart myself in the next two jobs and worked with wonderfully brilliant people. But, my heart stayed with my class of children that I work with every Sunday.
“How did you know which field to go into?” I may have always known all along and hid behind the fears of failure and responsibility. For the last fourteen years, I’ve been volunteering on Sundays in the Early Kids Ministry at my local church. This church can be classified as a “mega-church” where you get to be involved in as little or as much as you feel comfortable. I jumped into working with children because I love gaining their trust in the nursery, witnessing their tremendous developmental growth in their first year. Then, their continual wonder and curiousity when they become two years-old. Now, I work with three to five years old and it’s been so much fun! Parents are grateful to have one hour to listen to God’s message and I’m privileged to have their trust in helping their child find and follow Jesus. Yes, they may be young, but Jesus can be their friend forever, if they allow him to be with them. At that young age, there’s a wave of independence yet the strong pull to be socially accepted by their peers. When nobody wants to play with them, it can bring on big feelings.
So, my thoughts for those who feel unhappy in their current professional role but not sure what to do next…stay put for a little while longer. Find something you enjoy doing on the weekend and figure out why you like it so much. What does the environment look like? What are your strengths and weaknesses? Would you still show up to “work” if you aren’t paid? Are there job titles or descriptions that interests you? Can these descriptions ever apply to your current role or company?
It’s cliche, but your journey will be different from my experience. I hope that you find fulfillment and contentment in your time. People say “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” This is true because the work won’t feel like a job where you clock in and countdown the minutes to get out. The work will feel like having fun while getting paid to do it. It’s a radical and privileged position to be able to find that sweet spot.
I was always joking about early retirement as a staff accountant. In a way, I did retire early from that role but started a different role that spoke more to the core of my soul and personality. I’m quite a child at heart and love to listen to all the stories that the children share with me. I like figuring out what they’re saying by repeating it back to them and giggles happen because I can sometimes misunderstand their words completely. They appreciate my effort and give me a “Thanks for trying” hug or they’ll move on to another activity because they’ve finished their conversation with me. No hard feelings or awkwardness because I’ll be there next time in listening to their next story.
Now, be the author in your own book of life 🙂 As always, feel free to share your story with me and know that I can be a vault. I understand that some stories are not mine to share. I do my best to take care of other’s trust and attempt to be a story security box in a vault. The contents belong to you and shared only in your presence.
@BonzColoring 