For several years I have known that I need to let go of one of my business adventures. In February of 2012 I read a series of quotes in the borders on the Passing Thru Newsletter about the importance of quitting what is not working and how that opens the window to the fresh air of possibilities.
Betsy and Pete Wuebker were all systems forward with building their own business and setting sail to a new life adventure and they were exploring what steps they had taken to un-tether and cast off.
This is the first quote on the side bar:
Ever wonder why’s it so darn hard to quit something, even though we know it’s not working? Often we cite security, or we point to what’s expected of us, or the boundaries of our comfort zone keep us locked in our current location. We look beyond our self-imposed fence, but we stop short of climbing over it to freedom awaiting.
Truthfully, I knew those words were for me and yet for the first time in my life I just seemed to be sliding into taking action, it was as though the cameras were recording in extreme slow motion – there was motion.
I had to take a long hard look, again and again, to decide what to do and as the choice was obvious the facts just kept rolling into the inbox.
The Vitamin and Environmentally Healthy products store that I had been working with for 16 years was losing me money, cheapening their products – calling it improving, and transforming into a GREED machine. The founder of the company was donating money into the political realm, personal funds and then company funds (Citizen’s United Supreme Court Decision) in a millions of dollars way and getting noticed by the news media. He was using the legal system to bully a segment of our society and truly making life miserable for a group of human beings; attacking the victim’s families also. There was not a great deal of wellness being spread around.
Now my efforts with this company had brought a great deal of wellness into our home. I no longer had to boil the sheets every day to keep the mold and dust mites at bay. Bodies that found nutrients difficult to absorb were getting healthy results. (My 65 year old partner came in at age 38 at last year’s Insurance Physical! – He is also a bicycle riding phenom! Who has his own Gluten Free cook.)
My paycheck paid the family health insurance premiums for years and lots of soccer, tennis, swimming, theater and camps. I consistently made a difference.
Last year this business work and my blogs cost us $7,000.00.
I could not persuade any of my clients to take up the business model and do what I was doing, I got stuck.
So May 22, 2012, I became an official quitter. I signed the paperwork and gave up. I was responsible to each of my customers and let them know why and when I was leaving.
The worry is already gone, though with nothing to replace this income stream, the solar panels are breaking even, I feel a bit like a blob of inertia at this moment.
Quote #2
It can be heartbreaking to realize that the thing that you’ve poured your blood, sweat and tears into isn’t working. But a realistic assessment requires that we be honest with ourselves. We can either change what we’re doing within the current framework we’ve created, or step “out of the box” into a new paradigm that offers the potential of greater rewards. If you’re feeling stuck, facing change may require mustering every ounce of courage you have (and even some you don’t). But we’re here to tell you, making a change is something you must do if you’re ever to have a chance for a meaningful and happy life.
I am visualizing and reading my affirmation about the successful payoff of our medical loan and that I am monthly able to pay my phone bill. It was the right decision and that indeed I am lucky in that I have had a very meaningful life with integrity the shining star. I am still reading my many books a week and writing reviews and I always have a number of things to do. It does make me happy as does letting go of the many hours of effort and energy expended.
My best often used quote:
It’s all going to work out just give it some time.
Have you had to quit something to move forward? Were you able to feel happy about the choice? Was it sequential or cold turkey quitting?
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on May 24th, 2012 at 3:46 am
Hi Patricia .. sometimes we just need to realise it’s not working and ‘give up’ – it’s the most sensible thing to do … frees us of that worry and we can use the time more productively – in many ways …
Good luck with everything .. Hilary
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Patricia Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 12:10 pm
Hilary,
Thank you for good words of support. I wish I had a back up plan or some other source of income. So now I am just working on not losing us funds and making life better for all the folks I am able to touch
It was the right thing to do
on May 24th, 2012 at 4:11 am
Hi Patricia – The process of stopping to begin again with something new generally focuses on the excitement of something new. But what do we do with the other? The inference much of the time is oh, no matter, just discard it like a broken toy. But it’s really not like that, and your post illustrates this beautifully.
At times I’ve been “too stubborn (or stupid? lol) to quit” and it has cost more in the long run than it would to make a realistic assessment. Now that you have let go, you already feel better. Even though you are still at rest, you will be ready to take advantage of another opportunity that comes along that you may not have been able to or aware while preoccupied before.
Thank you for linking to us. We really appreciated hearing how this inspired you to act, and you’re right, everything will work out just beautifully.
Patricia Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 12:14 pm
Betsy,
I do so need to work on my patience, because I have a huge history of everything working out just fine. I think not having something to look forward too was one of the hardest parts of this decision, but causing such pain to others with my money was intolerable.
Thank you for your good words and appreciation.
on May 24th, 2012 at 5:15 pm
Hi Patricia,
I’ve tried pounding a few square pegs into round holes in my life – very familiar with the whole just give it up thing. I’m so far past whatever it was I’m actually hard-pressed to remember any details. When I move on, I sort of erase the tapes. It works for me. I don’t keep going back over it all.
Is is ironic your last blog was about courage?
Go forward, dear one. All is well.
Hugs
SuZen
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Patricia Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 7:20 pm
Susan,
One reason I left this company was because I have been trying to get a straight answer from them since February and when they ignored me repeatedly, I just did my own research right to the core….What I uncovered was worse than I could have imagined.
I think reading and reviewing the book courage was just another confirmation of what I needed to do, what action I needed to take and not worry about income, rather do the right thing
I don’t go over the tapes any more, it is a clean break…I just wish I had a crystal ball so I knew that something better was coming in the perfect timing.
There is always work to be done
All IS Well
on May 24th, 2012 at 5:23 pm
Release what doesn’t work.
Embrace what does.
Onward!
Patricia Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 7:23 pm
Laurie,
Onward yes indeed.
I just read that a friend is dropping facebook because the stock fiasco hurt so many people and made a very few very rich…she felt it was a human rights violation and has said goodbye…
I don’t know if I can do that too and still write the blog? Lots of issues to face and figure out – one good turn often leads to a number more issues arising
on May 27th, 2012 at 7:19 am
Hi Patricia — it sounds like you got some relief from making this decision and I hope it frees up the energy you need to do something you’re genuinely interested in.
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Patricia Reply:
May 28th, 2012 at 10:45 am
Chris,
I hope so too…I am reviewing a book for next Thursday that is ramping up my creativity and I am celebrating a morning without leg pain….It was the right move for me
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on May 27th, 2012 at 8:42 pm
This things really happen. If we need t stop or give up so be it.
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Patricia Reply:
May 28th, 2012 at 10:46 am
Zachary,
Welcome and thank your for your wise words
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on May 27th, 2012 at 9:37 pm
Patricia, as I was reading this, what struck me was how folk continue to move forward in life, fixed on what they can achieve, collecting experiences and things, collecting, collecting. And yet, we don’t stop to consider what needs to be let go of. It takes courage to let go of things that you’ve poured so much time and energy into, and a lot of trust. I know it’s really cliché to say this, but “When one door closes, another door opens.” Hugs and congrats on making your decision.
Patricia Reply:
May 28th, 2012 at 10:48 am
Davina,
The book I am reviewing for next Thursday has a lot of great pointers for letting go…timely huh?
I know the door is closed, now I am watching for the opening…I made rhubarb crisp today while waiting
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