Planning Your Exit from the Corporate World

It’s been almost ten years since I volunteered to be laid off from my corporate job. At the time, I was shocked when the words came out of my mouth, followed by relief, panic, giddiness, and confusion. (All at once or in rapid succession, depending on the time of day.)

According to my financial planner, I left a few years too early. According to my rational brain, I was wholly irresponsible, leaving without a clue what I would do next. According to my soul, I had no choice because I was so burned out that I couldn’t see any other solution. Obviously, my soul won out.

Since that unplanned act, I’ve embraced the idea of a third-act stage of life. And while I’m no longer identified by the “one thing” known as a full-time job, I’m by no means retired.

It’s been a hard concept for many people to wrap their heads around. How could I opt out of the safety net of a consistent income? The hard-earned title and perceived prestige?

But opting out also meant I left behind the grueling commute, the 24/7 grind of “what have you done for me lately?” and putting my personal life on pause to work late nights and weekends full of delivering deliverables.

So, what do I do now? I write. I coach. I consult. I volunteer. I nap. I travel. I exercise. I spend more time with my friends and family. I’ve learned more about politics, which is empowering and upsetting at the same time. I watch Netflix in the middle of the day as a not-so-guilty pleasure.

The life I’ve built didn’t occur by luck, happenstance, or the wave of a magic wand. It wasn’t a straight line to success. It was messy, emotional, and scary beyond words.

While deciding to exit the corporate world was not under ideal circumstances, it was my choice.

That bears repeating.

It was my choice.

If you find yourself thinking you don’t have a choice or that choices will come later down the line, I offer these lessons as inspiration to get unstuck, get clear, and get going on a plan for your next stage of life.

I’ll write more in-depth about these lessons in the coming weeks. If you’d like to subscribe to my newsletter, feel free to sign up here. In the meantime, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Lessons from a 3rd Act Gypsy

1. Don’t wait to start planning your exit until you are desperate or, worse, forced to leave.

2. Ask the big, scary questions early and often.

3. Establish guiding principles as you begin your exploration.

4. Use travel to disconnect, detox, and discover.

5. Own your story with confidence, clarity, and even a bit of cheekiness.

6. Reimagine a life and career beyond the traditional “just one job.”

7. Change takes time, patience, and a willingness to explore new possibilities.

8. Risk and vulnerability can reap big rewards.

9. Clarity comes more easily when you can answer the question, “What is enough?”

10. Life’s runway is short. Stop wasting time and get going.