Three and a half years ago, I walked away from everything I had fought to create.
I had an enviable position as the director of a non-profit. An organization doing tremendously good work in the world. An organization that I had personally founded — and one that I had nurtured for over twelve years.
I knew — in my heart — that my time at this particular organization was complete.
I knew that I had reached the end of one adventure and that “something else” was waiting for me just ahead.
Except… what?
The truth is, when I chose to leave my position at the non-profit, I was totally clueless about what my “next step” was going to be.
Friends and colleagues would ask me, “Now what?” and I would say, “I’ll get back to you on that.”
The path ahead of me seemed vast and unknown.
This wasn’t the first time I had been in this position. Over the course of my life, I have launched and sold four different businesses. I’ve worked in a wide range of industries — from practicing law to lawnscape design. “Starting over” is not a foreign concept for me. It’s actually something I’m quite good at.
I figured I’d have a brand new business or job rolling within a matter of months. Just like every time before.
But this time proved to be different.
For whatever reason, this time, I felt… murky. I tested out different business concepts and ideas and nothing felt right. I launched a website and then tore it down. I attended workshops and seminars trying to find my “next step.” It just wasn’t clear to me yet.
I began to grow frustrated. “Why can’t I just choose something already?” It was tough.
I had to learn how to be gentler and more patient with myself. I learned to be present and grateful for what I did have, instead of fretting about what I didn’t. I learned to “keep the faith” that whatever career I was meant to have, next, would reveal itself to me in time.
It was not easy.
There were moments when I felt lost, sad, and totally convinced that I would never have meaningful work — or a steady income — ever again.
I was wrong.
I can’t pin-point exactly when my breakthrough moment arrived, but I know that I found the clarity I was seeking once I allowed myself to get still, calm, and quiet — and once I answered two questions:
– What do I love to do?
I realized: what I love to do, more than anything else, is help people find exciting, meaningful work. (Land incredible jobs, make unbelievable connections, launch amazing businesses. It’s something I’ve always done, throughout my life, for hundreds of friends and colleagues. I’ve always been my community’s go-to “career mentor.”)
– What do I believe about the world — that I wished other people believed, too?
I realized: my core belief is that every door can be unlocked. Nothing is outside of your reach if you’ve got grit, courage and focus. Even a career that seems “too good to be true” can be yours if you’ve got the right attitude and approach. It’s all possible!
Once I found my answers to those two questions, everything became vibrantly clear:
I want to launch a new business that helps people find exciting, meaningful work.
I want to show people that every door can be unlocked.
With that: I found it. My next step.
My “next step” is what you are looking at today: a brand new website, blog and collection of services and resources for you — and for anyone who dreams of having a career that makes you want to leap out of bed in the morning!
This new business has been over a year in the making. Over the past twelve months, I’ve been hard at work producing The Unlocked Academy: a series of 12 workbooks to help you identify your strengths and talents… get through insecurity and resistance… write a résumé… get funding for your business concept… and unlock every door in your way. I’ve also rolled out a small collection of 1-on-1 services for people who need extra mentoring, strategy, editing and motivation.
They say it takes a village to make big things happen — and that is so true. I could not have brought this new business into the world without the help of so many people. Alexandra Franzen, Shauna Haider, my amazing boys, Lexy and Willie, my dear friends, and the hundreds of amazingly talented and creative people I have met along the way: they’ve all been part of the Unlocked story.
One of my favorite poets, John O’Donohoe, once wrote:
Awaken your spirit to adventure
Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk
Soon you will be home in a new rhythm
For your soul senses the world that awaits you
I hope that my work helps you to “awaken your spirit” to the adventures that await you.
I believe that you deserve to have a career that you absolutely love. Quite honestly, anything less is a waste of your time.
Thank you for being on this journey with me. It’s all just the beginning…
Find great work. Do great work. Unlock every door in your way.
Image: Unlocked Academy. Grab your free workbook right here!