Next week marks six months since I left a company and job I loved to take time to spend with my family and friends before doing something different. When I decided to go, I could never have predicted that my time out would be during a Global Pandemic or even more astonishing, that I would find a new passion, discover my "why" and would want to start a Coaching and Consulting business.
Before the pandemic, I was pretty sure that after I had made the most of my time out, I would take on another senior role within the channel. A couple of fantastic opportunities had presented themselves and on paper looked like the perfect roles to give me the challenge I was after and the chance to see out my career. However, due to the pandemic, these positions were put on hold and rather than feel deflated, I felt relieved. I felt relieved that one of my options and more comfortable choices had been taken off the table, leaving me to make the right decision for myself, my family and my passion.
I sometimes get asked if I regret leaving CDW and the answer is an outstanding NO!! Even if I had known about the pandemic, I still would have left. My reasons for going would have been the same with or without Covid-19. The whole situation we are all faced with isn't ideal but whilst I never managed to do everything I had planned, I got to spend more quality time with my husband and daughter Alexia than I could ever have wished.
The only regret I have ever had in my entire career was for not going to University and getting a degree. The only reason I felt like that was because every company I held in regard and respected, put it as a pre-request on their job adverts and most still do. I was born in the '70s and grew up in a small market town, where careers advice was either non-existent or stereotypical. We never discussed the prospect of University, and although I was more than capable, I wasn't deemed suitable.
Whilst not having a degree has never held me back or stopped me from having an incredibly successful career, it made me feel inferior. It always used to make me think I would never be good enough to get a job at the companies I admired because it was still a pre-request for a job application.
Thankfully, I have finally come to realise that having a degree doesn't make you successful or mean you are better than people without one. If a company puts a piece of paper over experience, drive, passion and a proven track record, then they don't deserve that talent.
So finally, I can hold my head up high, be proud of what I have achieved, and can now honestly say, I have absolutely no regrets.
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