Join 60,000+ seasoned professionals who are done with the corporate world. Epic Encore is an almost daily newsletter with inspirational stories from leading experts. Your Epic Encore is about turning your lifetime experiences into the cornerstone of the rest of your life. It represents your audacious leap into entrepreneurship, fueled by the wisdom and tenacity you've garnered in your successful career. This isn't about playing catch-up in business and building a 7-figure business. It's about forging a unique path, using your distinct perspective, seasoned judgment, and invaluable insights that can only come from years of life experience.
I quit my job without knowing what came next
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I remember the moment like it was yesterday. I worked for IBM in its consulting division. Like clockwork, I would jump on a plane on Sunday afternoon for my next project. Every week it was another destination where I would work with a client then fly home on Friday night. It was the first time I became a member of United's 1K club, meaning I flew over 100,000 miles in a year. In my mid-40s, I was a road warrior living on planes and in hotels racking up frequent flyer miles and hotel points. I would've loved that life in my 20s but its really hard on your family when you leave your wife and two toddlers at home to fend for themselves while I'm living on the road. One project was especially grueling where I traveled to 13 cities from Boston to Honolulu over a six week period. I got home late Friday night and I was mindlessly going through a stack of mail in our kitchen. I was on a personal development kick at the time so I opened a letter from Stephen Covey. The letter was an invitation to join his new six-month coaching program. I needed a change so Monday morning I called Covey's office to learn more about the coaching program. I was so burnt out and needed to make a big shift in my life so I signed up on the spot even though it was a substantial investment. That was only the beginning. I couldn't stand spending more time on the road so I quit my job that morning. No backup plan. No new job. No income. Quit cold turkey. Fast forward six months... I completed the coaching program and my story was so compelling it was featured in Success magazine. One of our assignments in the coaching program was to create a personal mission statement, what we stand for and how we live our life. A few weeks ago, I found my personal mission statement that I created 30 years ago. I was blown away when I realized I've been living my personal mission statement for decades. Here's my personal mission statement, written in the 1990s. My Personal Mission Statement My mission is to make the world a better place. I contribute my time, knowledge and resources to help others. I focus my efforts only on those tasks that deserve my best efforts. I constantly learn new skills and in turn, teach those skills to others. I want to be remembered as a caring, generous, honest, loving person who made a difference during his lifetime. That piece of paper from 30 years ago wasn't just a mission statement; it was the blueprint for my legacy, guiding my decisions long before I consciously thought about what I'd leave behind. It proves that a legacy isn't something you build at the end of your life. It's something you live every day, whether you realize it or not. The question is, are you living your legacy by design or by default? Ted P.S. Would you like my help creating your own personal mission statement? Send me a message and we'll schedule time to talk (no charge) |
Ted Prodromou
Join 60,000+ seasoned professionals who are done with the corporate world. Epic Encore is an almost daily newsletter with inspirational stories from leading experts. Your Epic Encore is about turning your lifetime experiences into the cornerstone of the rest of your life. It represents your audacious leap into entrepreneurship, fueled by the wisdom and tenacity you've garnered in your successful career. This isn't about playing catch-up in business and building a 7-figure business. It's about forging a unique path, using your distinct perspective, seasoned judgment, and invaluable insights that can only come from years of life experience.
My recent health challenges have me thinking about legacy. And no, I don't mean the touchy-feely kind or getting a library named after you. I'm talking about the real part. The one that keeps you staring at the ceiling at 3 AM, asking, "Will any of this matter in ten years?" After I left my corporate role, I thought my legacy was set in stone. I led big projects and built strong teams. But I soon realized those corporate wins were resume virtues. They get you ahead, but they aren't what...
Leaving your long-term corporate career can be a double-edged sword. While the newfound freedom is liberating, it can also leave a void. The built-in purpose provided by company missions and team goals disappears, often leading to feelings of restlessness and a lack of direction. This is where finding your "Why" becomes not just a luxury, but a necessity for a fulfilling next chapter. Now stay with me here. I know finding your "Why" is too touchy-feely for some of you. Research has shown a...
After being laid off, I thought my experience would land me a new job quickly. I was dead wrong. After a few months of rejections, I lost confidence and struggled. Here's what I realized during that difficult period. Your career is more than a job title. After years in the corporate world, you possess a wealth of experience. To thrive in your next chapter, you must look beyond your former role. Your value is not in a title, but in the skills you have honed. It is time to reskill, reposition,...