Day One of ISOPassion

Today is the official first day of the rest of my life. And I'm not quite sure what to do with myself. I'm so used to doing 10 things at once, I'm a little lost. I can find 10 things that need to be done in my home (from paying bills, to laundry, to cleaning up scattered messes) and my instinct is to start them all. But I've been down that road before. I start ten things, finish one and get frustrated by the mess I've made on the other nine. It's time to focus.

So I started the day with cleaning out my email and doing laundry. I fed the kids breakfast. I made the bed. Then I paid some bills (and no, I didn't finish that). I went to the gym. And it's not even lunch time. I can remember feeling desperate for time to get household duties done in between conference calls and deliverables. Oh well, it will all get done in due time.

The real issue is my personal challenge -- in search of my passion (ISOPassion). I want to find something that excites me again, that draws me in, challenges me and makes me want to give it my all. I'm not sure what it will be. So where do I start? This month is dedicated to my passion for my family. I'm spending quality time with my kids, visiting some relatives and having relatives visit me. I need to reconnect with those who mean so much to me. It doesn't have to be anything extravagant. It just needs to be quality time.

So as unexciting as it may sound, Day 1 of ISOPassion is reconnecting with family. Off to play with the kids!

I quit my job!

I did it. After ten years with the same company, I quit my job. I walked away from my comfortable salary. I walked away from stock options and grants. I walked away from my work-from-home situation. Why did I do that? I lose my passion. You know how they say, "do something you'll love and you'll never work a day in your life"? Well, I was working every day. It wasn't that I hated my job. I actually enjoyed most of what I did. But it just wasn't fulfilling anymore. I was tired of red tape, corporate politics, pressure to meet someone else's abritrary expectations, etc.

I couldn't get excited about new projects. I saw new people starting, with fresh attitudes, passion and a desire to change the world. I remember having that. I miss that. I need it back.

So I quit. I'll admit it is a luxury. I planned for it for some time. My husband represents a very comforting safety net. Not everyone is in a position to do what I'm about to do.

Tomorrow I begin a new journey -- ISO My Passion. I have always derived energy and satisfaction from the work I do and the people I work with. I'm going to find it again. I don't know where. I don't know how. But for once, I'm going to enjoy enjoy the journey just as much as the end result.