Skillings should know, since she tackled the ultimate challenge of walking away from the corner-office to break free and create the career of her dreams in early 2005. A former marketing executive, Skillings recalls sitting in a taxi full of corporate materials on her last day in the office watching people rushing to catch their trains.
"I thought, 'I never have to be that person again.' My job was turning me into someone I didn't want to be, someone I didn't like. Work didn't feel fulfilling to me."
Here are six smart ways to -- like Pamela -- create a fulfilling escape route:
1. Escape to another career. This step requires introspection. Ask yourself key questions, advises Skillings: "If I can do anything, what would I do? If I inherited a million dollars, would I continue along the same career path?" Sometimes the questions alone may unlock doors into an interest that may not initially manifest itself as a vocation.
For Genevieve Piturro, former cable marketing executive, discovering a new career started with volunteering. "I wanted to do something related to kids so I started reading [to them] in shelters. Explore where you think your heart is leading you first. Don't talk yourself out of it -- go with it."
2. Create an escape plan. First, write business and financial plans to figure out where you want to be and crunch the numbers. "You may need to keep your full-time job while you're networking and putting together your business plan," says Skillings.
When Piturro's volunteer experience opened her eyes to the numerous children without pajamas, she began the Pajama Program, a not-for-profit providing pajamas and books benefiting shelter children who otherwise would have to sleep in their clothes.
3. Implement your plan. "This step will be different for everyone," notes Skillings. For some it may be updating a resume, for others it may be starting a business on the side. "You can put up with an unsatisfactory job when you know you're working toward what you want to do."
4. Work really hard. "Even if you get caught up in both jobs, keep moving forward," encourages Skillings. "Momentum is a powerful force." Keep your eye on the prize. For Steve Bernstein, former managing director at Citigroup, that meant working at Relix Magazine, which he purchased in 2000 as he continued his demanding role at Citigroup. "It's tough to work on Wall Street forever so I was creating a long-term strategy."
5. Quit that day job. "Hopefully you'll go out on your own, give your notice, and get the exhilarating job you've always dreamt about," says Skillings. In fact, she alludes to this step as the jumping-off-the-cliff moment.
Bernstein's moment came in 2005, when he retired from Citigroup to become fully immersed in his business which now includes four magazines, an events division, and more endeavors.
6. Live the dream! During this particular phase, Skillings indicates it may be tempting to double back. "Don't let fear motivate you -- fear is normal. It's so easy to get sucked back into the process."
Above all, once you reach this phase, the break has been made for a brighter and hopefully happier tomorrow. Piturro advises, "Stay away from naysayers and gravitate toward people who know that field. Have a group of people to rely on." Bernstein adds, "Some people never take the leap. If you don't take the risk, you're not going to take the reward."
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