I fucking did it. WOW.
I turned in my notice today. In 2 weeks, I will be without a job, with nothing lined up, no income, nothing. It really is happening, and I am balancing being scared out of my mind with being absolutely exhilarated at the upcoming opportunities that I have in front of me.
In 3 weeks, my journey towards an EPIC 2011 continues, with what will prove to be a life changing and inspiring transition. My lifestyle, livelihood, profession, goals, will all change.
I will get a chance to take a step back from the corporate world and focus on myself, my family, my passion and my hobbies. Something that I have not had a chance to do in 15 years. I can pursue my love of photography or my newfound outlet of creative writing. I can learn to cook (better). I can start a new business or pursue a new an alternate career. I can do anything.
The Backstory
My wife and I have lived in Southern California for basically our entire lives. She is a recognized top salesperson for the largest telecom company in the country. I am a Senior Systems Engineer in the IT industry. We have lived the corporate, rat race life that is typical of a Southern California couple with dual income and no kids. Since we met, we have longed for a life outside of California. The lifestyle of “keeping up with the Jones’”in suburbia.
Jet Settin'
6 months ago, I walked away from my 8+ year career with an IT Solutions vendor to take a job in the corporate retail space with a national clothing retailer. That move scared me a little due to the fact that my job security with my previous employer was rock solid, as I had been with them through thick and thin, but in reality, had maximized my potential with my only hopes for a promotion being in the employment of another company with more room for me to move up the ladder.
For the 5+ years, Juliet has worked her way through the ranks as a very decorated and accomplished sales representative with a national wireless provider. For her, the only step up was to move into a managerial role. With that in mind and the company’s non-official policy that in order to move up in the company, you need to be able to move to different regions, we began looking for relocation and management opportunities for Juliet across the country. After various interviews for positions in Southern California, Northern California and Atlanta, Georgia failed to pan out, we decided that we needed to just live our lives and when the opportunity was right, it would come and find her.
Taking the leap
Juliet and I got married in September of 2010 and were enjoying a very wonderful first few months of marriage. The holidays were upcoming, life was good.
Then it got better.
Juliet was alerted to a job posting in New York that was reporting to her old boss form California who had relocated a year prior. It was as the job was meant to be. Then there was a delay here, a holiday there, and before we knew it, the holidays were upon us with nothing concrete for the New York job except a few phone interviews.
Then right before Christmas, we got the invitation to head out to New York for a final round of interviews right after the new year. What began as a trip for an interview and some exploration around New York state, quickly turned into some soul searching and a lot of glances between Juliet and I that were all saying the same thing:
“Holy shit, this is really happening”
Juliet was offered and has accepted the job. We’re freakin’ moving to NEW YORK!
New York Here We Come!!
The Future
For Juliet and I, our future is bright. New adventures, new lifestyle, new beginning. We are extatic.
Juliet is moving into a managerial role, so her responsibilities will be completely new for her, but a welcome change that she is more than excited and ready to take on.
For me, my future, while not as clear, is very bright. I have the opportunity to reassess what I want to do with my career and my life. The IT industry, while very successful for me, is becoming less of a passion and more of a job. I yearn for something different, and now I get the opportunity to explore those options. To say I am excited is really an understatement.
Another big item that I am looking forward to is with this migration to New York, I will be taking our SUV and road trippin’ all the way across the country. 3,000+ miles and 7+ days. Again, excited is an understatement!
Me and You vs. The World
Kudos
I would be more upset with myself if I did not get this out there. First and foremost, my wife, Juliet, my best friend. You have taught me trust, honesty and a vigor to experience life like I never have. I owe this opportunity to you. I will not let you down.
To the rest of you. Just a little over a month ago, Steve Kamb was featured on Gizmodo with his Epic Quest of Awesome. It was based on reading his blog that I really became enamored and turned onto the idea of working remotely and still making a living. There is group of bloggers that I follow now that have been instrumental in changing my outlook on what is possible. Big thanks goes out to Joel Runyon, Jenny Leonard, Steve Kamb, Ayngelina Brogan, Lachlan Cotter and many, many others.
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