Jump Part II - The Aftermath

Well, I have finally done what I have been talking and thinking about for well over a year now. I jumped from the comfort of my full time corporate job to go full time with my photography business. It was incredibly exciting, invigorating and insanely nerve wracking ALL at the same time.

I mean I thought it was going to be a bit easier than it had been in terms of actually jumping but holy shit was I wrong. I didn’t think for a second that it was going to be easy but I feel like I have been on the highest, longest, steepest most twisty loop de loop roller coaster in the world and let me tell you, I HATE roller coasters with a passion.  That should give you some insight as to how I was feeling leading up to my final day at Ernst & Young. I know these feelings are normal and there were many who came before me who have been through it and there will be many after me who go through the same thing.

I knew I was going to be giving up the proverbial security blanket. Losing the comfort of my corporate job and a regular pay check were playing with both my head and guts almost every morning but I knew I couldn’t give into those fears and voices.

I have looked really hard at why the fears and voices kept creeping in from time to time.  I know they will creep again and again over the course of running my business.   Fear of the unknown at the root of all this internal turmoil.  As my last day approached, which changed 3 times before it actually happened, each and every time that day drew closer my fears grew and the voices in the back of my mind got louder and louder. I knew that I couldn’t let them drown out the excitement and the other voice that kept telling me I have to do this! I have to move on from my current situation!  It’s the only way for me to step outside my comfort zone and challenge myself.

I have to admit, if it weren’t for the support of my incredible wife, none of this would have even been possible. She is 100% in support of me pursuing this crazy dream of mine so I owe a lot to her and I am eternally grateful. She talked me off the ledge countless times when that fear took over.   She pushed me out of my comfort zone so I knew it was what needed to be done!

I have been self-employed for just over a week now and let me tell you, it feels incredible.  That last day was rough; handing in my laptop, my company credit card and my security badge for the place I spent ¼ of my life. It was a bittersweet feeling I tell you, I had forged many relationships there so it wasn’t easy but it felt like a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders when I woke up that next morning.  Rolling out of bed, realizing I didn’t have to go back downtown again and that I was going to be the master of MY own destiny now.  I am totally in control!! Coming to that realization was an incredible feeling.

I am really looking forward to writing this next chapter in the book of MY LIFE, it is going to be exciting and challenging but something tells me it’s going to be better than the last.