Loss of status.
Having to start again.
Going back to square one.

Along with loss of financial security, one of the top concerns I hear from women who are contemplating a new path is the challenge of having to start from scratch.

It’s understandable. In your existing profession, you’ve built up years of experience and a solid reputation. You’re known and you know your systems so well you could run them with your eyes closed.

Perhaps you’re a teacher who has accumulated years of schemes of work and lesson plans, or an HR manager who has built hundreds of relationships.

You know you’re good at your work and you can’t quite bring yourself to turn your back on all that groundwork to go back to square one with a different venture or industry.

It’s the same reason we don’t leave relationships or move house, even when we know they’re not ideal. We’ve invested a lot in the status quo and we’re fearful, believing better the devil we know. Our existing situation isn’t ideal – but it’s good enough.

Right?

Wrong. ‘Good enough’ isn’t good enough.

It’s not okay that you get that sinking feeling in your tummy on Sunday evenings. It’s not good enough that you’re getting frequent migraines, colds, back pain and eye strain.

You’re too precious to waste your life, to let your creativity stagnate, your idealism fade away. You know you want to be doing something more meaningful, making more of a difference – so it’s time to find ways of dealing with the loss involved.

As you may have spotted, I’m in a process of major transition at the moment. Creating my new website has meant letting go of the old one; shifting my email communications to a new automated system means I’m guaranteed to lose some of my previous subscribers.

The truth is – if we’re committed to moving forward, we WILL lose certain things along the way. In order to embrace the new, we’ll leave some things behind AND we won’t leave everything. What is important is to decide: What is worth holding on to? and What is holding us back?

The World Needs Your Passion, So…

1) Whether it’s leaving a job or changing an aspect of your existing venture, take pen to paper or fingers to keyboard and answer: What are the main aspects you’re reluctant to lose? What are you intending to gain? Then, assess honestly: Does the expected gain make the loss worth it?

2) Choose a metaphor for this transition that inspires you. Perhaps it’s that you’re leaving one island and swimming to another. Build into this metaphor the key aspects you’re taking with you – certain skills, people or ways of working – that will help you on the journey and be useful when you get to the other island.

3) Contribute to the discussion, letting us know how you deal with loss and letting go.

© Corrina Gordon-Barnes, 2009. All rights reserved.

* Workshop: Kickstart Your Venture

You may be a ‘leap and the net will appear’ believer, or you may feel more comfortable with having a tangible plan. Either way, you need space to articulate your idea for a new venture and the Kickstart Your Venture workshop has been designed for this purpose. Click here for more information and to book your place.