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my five stages

Gretchen swag

8 weeks ago, I was a corporate goodie-two-shoes … well, kinda.

7 weeks ago, I gave my notice. Yes, I cried a little. 

5 weeks ago, I turned over my employee badge, corporate card, and parking pass. And I had a rockin’ going-away party at my favorite dive bar

4 weeks ago, I co-founded the coolest company with the best business partner ever. 

And today, we begin month two of JobSyntax. We’re ahead of expectations from every angle (hey, I review myself now … I can make those claims), and I couldn’t be happier. As Zoë said earlier this week, "my worst day at JobSyntax is better then my best day anywhere else."  It's totally true.

When I left my comfortable - albeit challenging - job to strike out on my own, a wise friend told me to prepare for the following stages:

Gretchen

Shock that you actually got up enough guts to leave.

Depression that you didn’t leave sooner.

Doubt that you ever should have left. This is more familiarly termed “the bounce back”. “My previous job was so safe, what in the world have I gotten myself into?”

Anger at yourself that you ever thought that leaving was the wrong thing to do.

Recognition and elation that you made the right choice and you are happier and more successful doing what you are doing today.

I can safely say I've journeyed through the stages. So cheers to month two! Great times are ahead!

gretchen

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Published Friday, May 19, 2006 9:59 AM by gretchen
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Comments

 

Josh said:

I like your new found flair for adding fun pictures to posts. I'm probably biased though, since they are my dogs. :-)
May 19, 2006 12:38 PM
 

gretchen said:

Well, they are damn cute dogs.  Who wouldn't love them? :)

But thanks.  I'm trying to play with my blogging style a bit.  I realized I got way too stuffy when writing for JobsBlog.  I need to add more flair in my posts ... so other ideas are greatly welcome.
May 19, 2006 12:45 PM
 

nick said:

Stage Six: Two options

[1] Get into the groove and stay in it - as you did earlier, but its a slightly different groove.

or

[2] Use your newfound freedom to never get into a groove again...get into rhythm instead, and keep moving, changing, learning.

To revel in your freedom is to perpetuate it :)
May 19, 2006 1:59 PM
 

asqui said:

I like the photos. I, too, like to insert at least one image in all of my blog posts. It's true what they say, about an image being worth a thousand words. It really captures the attention and communicates to the reader.

PS: Those dogs are beautiful! The landscape isn't too bad either. Is that you in the photo?
May 19, 2006 3:12 PM
 

gretchen said:

Hi Nick - That's definitely something good to keep in mind!  Thanks for the advice.  If I do get into a groove, here's hoping it is a good groove. :)

Asqui - Yep, that's me ... being dorky with my dogs.
May 19, 2006 4:37 PM
 

Michael Kaplan said:

But remember the real question about any kind of "work from home" situation. Are you still...?

:-)
May 20, 2006 11:49 PM
 

gretchen said:

Michael - Ha.  I am still showering regularly, and I do "dress" for the day ... although my work clothes are still velour sweat suits and other fine comfy clothing. :)
May 21, 2006 10:39 AM
 

M. said:

Just another nod to inserting pictures in blog posts - they really help to break up the content and make it more readable, and I've also started adding (or trying to add) pictures to my blog posts.

On a side note, it's great to hear that JobSyntax is doing so well.  Congratulations :-)
May 27, 2006 8:15 AM
 

gretchen said:

Thanks :)
May 30, 2006 12:34 PM
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