An Entrepreneur Who Failed….to
Get a Job
Celebrating Qatar Happening's Anniversary |
People often recall stories using the lead-in “in a previous
life”.
These words are oft met with disbelief. But is there any
expression to better define our past? As
we move through our personal, family and professional timelines, our stories
capture unique moments in our own histories, each painting a distinctive set of
circumstances, experiences, friendships; each moment a life of its own.
As I reflect upon my professional past, stories are flushed
out with corresponding details of the time:
·
Early 20s; a fresh Physics grad eager to prove myself
in a man’s world, putting in my 200% and rising to the top of the pack. Despite
the rocketing career momentum, I realize I want to become an entrepreneur,
·
30; I attended all of my son’s school functions,
created & lost a tiny life, created another, chaired a non-profit board of
directors, ran a small business and simultaneously achieved a 98% average in an
entrepreneurship/ marketing program (That’s being a woman),
·
Mid-30s; newcomer to cash strapped developing Muslim
country, starting a new career with no field experience or apparent opportunities.
Rely upon confidence from a track record of making things happen, a belief in
myself, and a nudge from my Mother. Started at rock bottom in an entry level property
post paying local monthly wages of $800, built my own property business and
later started The Art of Business. A decade of making impossible things
possible through vision, determination and leadership for global clients. Build
and launch wildly popular brands and titles in the eventually booming economy
of Qatar,
·
Mid-forties; time to return home to Ottawa for
the kid’s schooling. Seeking a challenging career fit. I find a different
challenge than I expect.
Looking from the panoramic of my present sabbatical, I gasp
at the energy and passion I put into my career and life moments. Recent days
have been quiet, solitary, research filled, drenched in deep thought,
reflection and problem solving. My
previous successes have allowed me the privilege of not “having to rush out and
work” and the luxury to contemplate how to best contribute my talents to the
changing global community. It’s been a
costly and satisfying choice.
I found myself disenchanted, and tripping up at any offer
promising less than a nearly impossible challenge. The thought of getting “stuck” somewhere that I
couldn’t thrive horrified me. I misunderstood my own actions and equated my
lack of meaningful employment as a failure. I was horrified that a complete year without “being
discovered” and contributing to the world around me could become the norm; that
I could get stuck there. My unexpected challenge was embracing the wisdom of a
previous life: that I am an entrepreneur AND a challenge junkie.
The only time I truly “fit in” to the world was when I had
created that world. I remain destined to
create new inspiring ways to contribute to people’s lives and continue to attract dynamic
people into my circles. After a period of self-loathing I now wear a
perma-smile thinking of the startup journey ahead and the entrepreneur’s fire warms
my soul.