Ditch the “Should” Game & Discover What’s Possible
I remember sitting at my desk in my legal job thinking, “There has to be more than this.”
But then just as quickly, I would feel this massive guilt of, “What are you talking about?”
From the outside, my life looked great. I had the job, the car, the title. People looked at me like, “What are you complaining about?”
I thought there had to be something wrong with me for wanting more.
If you’ve ever had this thought, about your legal job, another job, or even being a stay-at-home mom, I want you to know you’re not alone, and there’s nothing wrong with you.
It’s okay to have dreams and ambitions that are beyond what your life looks like right now- even if it’s a really good life.
That’s why I wanted you to hear from my friend Jennifer Jones. JJ had been a pharmaceutical sales rep for twenty years, when she felt herself in desperate need of a change. She also had the car, the job, and all the benefits, but felt stuck in a daily grind that never stopped.
Even though on the outside, it looked like she had a great career and life, she was burnt out, sweating all night from anxiety, and experiencing crazy insomnia, until she finally said, “I can’t keep doing this.”
Today, her life looks completely different. She’s the founder and CEO of the Ignite and Launch Society, where she coaches business owners to crush it in the direct selling world. But on a deeper level, she works to help people expand their view and see the options, opportunities, and possibilities that are available to them.
I wanted her to share her thoughts on what gets in the way of opening ourselves up to new possibilities, and how we can overcome that to create the life we want.
Here were some highlights from our conversation:
Life Can Look Different
The first thing to realize is that your life can look different from the way it does right now. Just because this is the way you’ve always done things, doesn’t mean it’s the way you always have to do things. Even if you’ve invested two decades in one company, it doesn’t mean you can’t change careers. You can do things differently.
If you believe in your bones that you’re capable of more, dip your toe into the pond of “more” and see what could happen. It can be super scary to bet on yourself and give up the car, the benefits, and the 401k, but JJ says, “If you bet on yourself, you’re never going to lose.”
Look for Ways to Create Breathing Room
While she was looking for a change, JJ had a network marketing opportunity that seemingly dropped into her lap. For six months, she built her business on the side of her pharmaceutical job before fully making the leap out of her corporate career.
You don’t have to start a network marketing company, but find ways to create breathing room. This opens up space for options so you can create more freedom within your life. When that starts happening, things start feeling less constricting. You start to see more options.
There are so many ways to make money these days. Brainstorm a list of ways you could bring in a couple hundred dollars a month. That’s all you need to create breathing room.
Be Willing to Try Something New
Don’t be afraid to try a couple different things. See what feels right, then follow your heart and your gut. It doesn’t matter what’s on your 1099. Be a yoga instructor, golf pro, personal trainer, or whatever it is on the side. Then take that money and invest it well. Take care of it, and then use that to really fuel the dream.
Stay open. Be willing to suck at something new. Try something that excites you. Try something uncomfortable (maybe even something you said you’d never do).
Join a Community
When you join different communities, you’re exposed to thousands of other people who may or may not be like you. Swim in bigger circles. Get in the room with people who are better, faster, smarter, and stronger. Join a company with whom you align and get in the room with those players.
If you want to be in the room with law-minded women who are passionate about building each other up and cheering each other on, my next Powerhouse Lawyers retreat is happening in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina from Sep 27 - October 1. Click here to register and save your spot. I’d love to see you there!
Let Go of “Lawyer” As Your Identity
You got a degree that says you’re an attorney, and that’s who you are, but that’s not all you are.
An attorney is a job. Who are you on the inside? What do you want your life to look like and feel like? What legacy do you want to leave behind? What do you want to show the next generation?
I have a lot more conversations around legacy these days. I don’t want to repeat the same patterns that have been repeated to me. I want to show my girls they can do anything they want to with their unique superpowers.
To hear the full conversation (and what JJ feels like her superpower is), you can listen here
I’ll catch you next time!
Erin
P.S. September 27th - October 1st, I’m hosting a retreat in gorgeous Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina for women in the law. It’s going to be a place to let go of stress, get clear on your vision, and leave equipped for success on your terms in both your life and in the law. Click here to save your spot!
