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I was the average 21-year-old entering the corporate world with my own rules, rose-coloured glasses and a naive enthusiasm for the future. Like many, I was creating my future experience without even realizing it. During this time, I was depressed at my 9-5. Not because I hated my job or the people there, but because I had this feeling deep down in my gut urging me to become more intentional about my purpose.
You might be in a similar situation, trying to figure out what life could look like once you leave the office behind. For me “leaving the office behind” meant seeing how I could use the same skills I was learning at work and apply them to life, to help thought leaders show up as authentically confident, in and outside of the workplace.
Did I expect to leave the office behind at 26 years old, and in the next four years, meet my husband online, get married in 60 days, live in an 18-wheeler travelling across America for 18 months, move to Belize and have a beautiful baby boy … actually, yes! That exactly what I expected as a result of leaving the office behind. I also learned three very valuable lessons and I want to share them with you now.
1. I learned to reimagine life’s obstacles as opportunities
I remember dreading my morning commute when I was working in a corporate environment, battling Atlanta’s infamous stop-and-go traffic. Yet, five years later, I sometimes find myself missing those same roads I travelled with work friends – the camaraderie, the shared experiences and the nights out on the town.
Leaving the office behind also felt like I left the morale and teamwork in the office. I reminisce about borrowing French vanilla coffee creamer and enjoying cow tongue tacos at the monthly potluck. Entrepreneurship can feel like a lonely journey, yet this created the perfect obstacle for me to create more networking opportunities for personal development and growth with likeminded thought leaders.
The lesson here is about perspective. Those dreaded obstacles were the foundation of opportunities I now cherish. Leaving the office taught me to reframe challenges as stepping stones to growth, even when the path seemed frustrating.
“Entrepreneurship can feel like a lonely journey, yet this created the perfect obstacle for me to create more networking opportunities for personal development and growth …”
2. I am my personal brand
Corporate culture often ties your identity to your position and it’s easy to let that define your sense of self. Leaving the office helped me realize the importance of cultivating confidence from within. Your personal brand isn’t just your professional persona – it’s your authentic self, reflected in every interaction and decision.
I’ve learned that nurturing relationships aligned with your purpose strengthens your personal brand. Both personal and professional relationships play a major role in how authentically confident you show up. However, growing your personal brand isn’t always easy. There were moments of vulnerability when feedback stung, but those moments shaped my resilience and authenticity, helping me to create a confident business and personal brand. You can do the same.
3. I am in control of my emotions
I used to sit at my desk, staring out of the window and longing for the freedom of the open road. I wanted to escape the mundane cycle of clocking in and out, hoping to leave behind feelings of frustration, stagnation, stress and burnout.
But here’s the truth: leaving the office didn’t mean leaving those emotions behind. They followed me into the next chapter of my life, forcing me to confront them head-on without the buffer of a manager or HR department.
The exciting part? I learned that I have the power to create positive emotions – a sense of belonging, confidence, joy and fulfilment – whether inside or outside the office. The key is emotional intelligence and self-awareness, tools that empower you to build a life aligned with your purpose.
Final thoughts
Impostor syndrome, doubt and a lack of resources are common challenges when pursuing your purpose boldly. But these hurdles are also opportunities to develop authentic confidence, effective communication, emotional intelligence and radical self-esteem.
So, if you’re considering leaving the office behind, remember these lessons:
- Reimagine obstacles as opportunities
- Recognize that you are your personal brand
- Take control of your emotions and your journey
The office may provide a sense of stability, camaraderie and structure, but the same positive emotions can be cultivated wherever you go. Leaving the office isn’t the end of your story – it’s the beginning of a new chapter.
