A note from Whitney:
As a small business owner, I've had to learn to pivot fast and often. Constant evolution and closely watching my market have been the key to my success and future growth. But as quickly as I can pivot for my business, it takes more time and convincing to jolt me into pivoting personally, especially since every move I make has a direct effect on my business. I'm getting ready for a super big transition (more on this next week) and talking to Sheree Clark, coach, and owner of Fork in the Road was exactly the perspective I needed to give me the inspiration and courage to push forward. Thank you Sheree, for being exactly what I needed, when I needed it.
Why I cried at Church: Words from Sheree Clark
Like many people, I’ve had changes I wanted to make in my life for years before I summoned up the courage to take a leap. One defining moment for me came on a Sunday at church when I actually cried—not because the sermon was so moving—but because I knew that in less than 24 hours I had to “go back to work.” The trouble was, I owned the company.
For 25 years I co-owned an advertising agency. Initially, my business partner was also my life partner (when we ended our personal relationship we decided to retain the professional aspect). In our time together, we built a successful business from nothing, received over 1,000 awards and employed scores of talented people. We survived two relocations, a major flood, 9/11 and even an IRS audit.
Our decision to close in 2009 was not made easily or lightly. But the time had come, and we each wanted to do other things with our lives. I had found that my real passion was in the healthy lifestyle arena—and the fast-paced, cutthroat advertising business was about as far from that as you could get. For what felt like an eternity, I felt like a total fraud. So after that Sunday at church...
I told my partner I wanted out — and there was no turning back.
And now? My work and home lives feel “integrated.” I am a life coach and I work with others who are at some sort of “fork in the road” to help them reconnect with their authentic selves. I help women to uplevel their diets, or figure out what’s next their careers or make a big change in their personal life—all things I have done. I get to be there to support them in reaching their highest potential and reconnecting with their deepest inner wisdom.
The coolest part? I don’t dread Mondays anymore. And I have more energy at age 60 than I did when I was 40 and self-medicating to get through each stressful week.
Have you ever heard the expression: “If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’ve got?” It’s true. Next week, next month, two years from now it’ll still be true. And, unless you take some focused action, you’ll simply be older.
Watch our conversation on Wednesdays with Whitney!!!
Click the link below.
