Taking a Risk

In the natural it was a very stupid thing to do. Here I was, 50-something with the country beginning our slide towards a recession. I was climbing the ladder, great paycheck, lots of responsibility and credibility, was known throughout the organization - had it made. But in January 2008 I quit my job - without another one to go to. These last 17 months have been an interesting journey. I thought I found my spot with a large insurance company; they were going to hire me as soon as they got a certain contract. That contract didn't happen when it was supposed to. And by the time they did get the contract nearly a year later (1) I knew that organization was not a good fit for me; and (2) they had a bunch of internal people they needed to place. Thankfully, I had 14 months of nearly full-time consulting with them. But in early May that abruptly dried up. While I was going along, feeling very out-of-place, under-challenged and unfulfilled, the Lord was laying the way for something else.

In February of 2008 I spoke with the CEO and COO of a Denver-based dialysis company. I felt very good about our conversations and about the company. But nothing came of it because they had no position to offer me. Fast-forward to May 2009. The very week my consulting work dried up Hank, a former colleague I had not seen or spoken with for years, suddenly called me. He had seen the CEO mentioned above at a meeting and told him I was right in his backyard and would be an excellent employee. Perfect timing; perfect connection! Over the last few weeks I have been speaking with all the senior team and this week was offered a position!

This is amazing to me. Everything worked out in just the right time. This is an organization I will fit into perfectly and they were looking for someone with my exact skill set and background, including my recent stint in the insurance world. Even that was meant to be!

I am so jazzed! I will soon be back in the fast-paced environment I love - with all the challenges, responsibilities and opportunities that make work-life so exciting.

Was it worth the risk to walk away from the security and stability of a long-term position? You bet! Now, rather than the same-old, same-old for many more years, I have the opportunity for one more big exciting blast before entering retirement. Halleluiah!