Contemplate then fly

I've often watched birds in flight and wondered what it might be like.

One occasion was when I was in my late twenties and considering some changes in my professional life; I'd taken to the wilderness, a place I find it's easier to consider such weighty matters, and had spent hours hiking/climbing up a fairly serious mountain deep in the Flinders Ranges. I was on a small ledge taking a break for lunch, back against the rockface and legs dangling off the side looking out over a vast plain that stretched out as I could see. A huge eagle came along, drifting on the thermals pushed upwards by the mountain circling looking for prey I suppose, although I'd completely get it if it was flying simply for the pure enjoyment of flight.

Damn, I wish I could fly, I remember thinking.

I sat for an hour or so watching the eagle then headed back down the mountain. Later that night beside the low burning campfire I realised I'd come to my decision - It was one that would change my life forever.

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I've been in contemplation mode many times in respect of my professional life and the decisions I've made have been both easy and difficult; common to them all is that I've made decisions around my life, meaning my personal life, rather than around the needs of the organisations I've worked for. My life is far more important than the needs of my employer and sometimes that's meant I've had to fly away.

Not literally; I don't have wings.

I mean I've had to move on in other directions seeking new horizons, opportunities, challenges and whatever else one could call it. I've resigned, and I've always felt good about it...sure, it's been very difficult to move on from some of my roles, life-changing really, but when it's time to act there's no point staying on the ground with the turkeys...one must soar with the eagles!

Right now I'm in contemplation mode. I don't want to go into it much, but I'm thinking about change.

Do I like my current role, organisation, colleagues, remuneration, flexibility, scope of work, amount of travel, perks and other aspects? Yeah I do, so why am I considering leaving? It's a question I have been mulling over without a definitive answer forthcoming; It's a feeling, a sense that the time is right to seek other opportunities. Clearly I have deeper reasons in mind and factors to consider, but I'm reluctant to say too much here, it's the internet after all and privacy is important to me.

I know the right decisions will come forth sooner or later and when I decide, I decide, and act decisively. I also make sure it's my decision even though I may consult a few I trust around me so that if I make a bad one I only have myself to blame, and if it's a good decision I only have myself to blame. It's about ownership.

It'll be a process I suppose, may take some time or happen quickly, but no matter what happens the decision will be based around my life-needs, all of them, and once made...yep, no more languishing around on the ground with the turkeys, I'll leap off the ledge and fly...or drop like a stone. If it's the latter that's ok, many of my great successes have come out of failure.

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Have you ever gone through the process of determining the path forward in your professional life? Have you weighed and measured the pros and cons of moving to a new employer? If so, how was the process for you, what were the considerations, how long was the decision process and were you ultimately happy with your final decision? If you want to comment please go ahead.