How to navigate while starting a new career

I had a huge decision to make over a year ago. I had to decide whether to stay on a job with no chance of advancement or pay increase, or leave with no sure prospects. I had to make this decision not knowing the biggest cases of lay offs, financial ruin and unemployment were about to take place. Still I had to make an individual choice for my own well being. I choose to leave the job and risk not having steady work.

I left that job back in September 2008 and at first I felt completely justified walking away, as I felt under paid and very under appreciated, not that appreciation needs to factor into staying on a job, but for me it weighted heavily on my decision to leave. I loved my boss and most of the people were a lot of fun to work with, but the office environment was so very toxic because most of the people were feeling the same way I did....under paid and not appreciated for what they brought to their position day in and day out. We all felt trapped!

I choose to act and make a move. I was scared to death! The idea of collecting unemployment worried me and I wasn't sure if I could make it. I tried to live each day one day at a time, but I hurt myself by looking ahead and not developing a plan to work and do something that I enjoyed doing, and hopefully get paid enough to survive. I'm not about getting rich, but simply living my life the best I possibly could.

My first six months were tense because I'd never not worked since I was fourteen years old. I was not sure what to do with myself each day and my old routine was gone. I began to sleep late and live on the couch watching "Soprano" dvd's (which I loved!) It was winter time going into the new year 2009 and although I actively went online and searched the newspapers, I found no work! I had no car which made the situation even harder, because although their were some jobs, none were within a train or bus commute. I got very discouraged and stopped looking until spring.

I felt going outside was like going into the wild wild west! I dreaded going out, and only left the house to pay bills, buy groceries and do my laundry at a local laundry mat! I walked when it was warm and listened to my Ipod. My relationship with a man I dearly loved was over, and the sad thing was we were living together, and I needed to move on and away. I was beginning to lose my mind and I didn't know what to do! I was beginning to give up on myself, be discouraged and my spirituality deadened within.

Thank God for spring time and warmer weather, which brought me outside and I began to feel like living again, and especially to not beat myself up over the decision to leave my old job. The job was not fulfilling me and for me that was more important than anything else. I decided to make a new life for myself and began to set some realistic goals for myself.

Learning how to navigate life while finding a new job or career is a delicate walk to take, and looking back now I learned so much about who I am and what I am meant to do. I learned that I am stronger with each tear I shed, I am wiser and my dreams are very important to me.

I've always enjoyed meeting new people and learning new things. I decided that change was going to work in the positive for me, and I set out to learn something new. I love people and especially helping people do better. By helping others, I help myself grow. After getting back online, I set up an account to show my freshened up resume on Monster.com and put my best face forward to attracted new people that wanted to get to know me and work with me. I liberated myself, empowering my life.

I moved out on my own and began a new life as a single woman and it has been so fulfilling and rewarding. I enjoyed a wonderful summer, discovered the community pool and loved every second in the sun! At the end of summer 09' I started a new career in the insurance industry working with the needs of Seniors at Bankers Life & Casualty Company, and after taking a rigorous course got a license to sell insurance and in doing so started a business for myself where no one can decide what I am worth and set my schedule. I developed an independent spirit and although developing a client base is very difficult I know that I will be a great contribution to the community and help elderly people which I love and respect so much.

I believe to navigate while searching for a new career or work in general, one must remain positive even on those days when you are scared and very unsure about the outcome of the situation. I learned to maintain a fighting spirit and not beat myself up over past decisions. Had I never took the risk to walk away from a position that was so unfulfilling, I would never know how wonderful it is to be doing something new that gives back to others.