Leaving Corporate/workspace: What's Next?

For those of you who left a corporate job to do something else, what do you do now?

I dropped out of the corporate world in 2004 when I was 51 years old. I had planned to drop out in 2003 when I turned 50, but aLECT LSL (Limited Service Leave) kept me occupied for a couple of months. I backpacked through southern Europe for a few months before re-entering the workforce.

With my home paid off, no debts, and with my children grown and left home, I decided that my financial situation allowed me to pursue my passions. However, one challenge remains: I constantly find new interesting things to do, leaving me with an eternal shortage of time in each day.

Corporate jobs can drain you of energy, but the financial benefits can be attractive. When I left industrial manufacturing in 2003, I took five years off to study, relax, and spend time with my late wife. For the next ten years, I worked part-time at a county recycling and trash collection center. Ultimately, I loved my job and it was conveniently located just a mile and a half from home. My wife's health became a priority, so I left that job to care for her until she passed away. Since then, I haven’t found any job that attracts me back once I left my home.

But I do what I love, being a Master Life Coach. I help people make career and life transitions.

Many people end up in jobs they hate because they don’t know what they love. I help them identify their passions, understand their ideal work conditions, and plan to achieve them. My satisfaction comes from seeing clients progress and succeed. Some write to me a year later, excited about making their dreams a reality. Others frequently reach out to thank me for helping them start a successful business or achieve financial success.

For instance, when someone writes to me a year later and says, 'I didn’t know XYZ. Now that I do, I’m on track for my dream,' it's gratifying. Or when someone mentions, 'The business you helped me start is doing great! Wanted to call and thank you!' These experiences make my day.

So, what comes next? Only time will tell, but with a life full of purpose and satisfaction, it’s clear that leaving a corporate job was not a mistake, but a stepping stone towards a fulfilling life.