“Wen, are you thinking about going back to tech as an engineering leader?”
Two ex-coworkers asked me this question last week.
When I first started coaching full-time, my coach told me it takes a minimum of 3 years to “make it” in coaching.
“Don’t even try it full-time if you need to get your bills paid. Go find a job,” was the advice the coach gave me.
So I gave myself 3 years to see what might happen.
This is my 3rd year. My coaching revenue has surpassed my first tech salary and continues to climb slowly.
I have more clients and referrals than in the previous 2 years.
Yet, it can sometimes feel like the exponential growth I want is not yet on the horizon.
Then, another coach said it takes on average 6 years to really feel “I’ve got this.”
While I learn to be patient with myself, I also want to be honest in answering my ex-coworkers.
“My tolerance for bullsh*t is so low right now. I don’t think I can be a good employee,” was my answer to them. We all laughed.
Joking aside, it’s true though.
It’s hard to follow other people’s visions and rules if I’m not fully aligned.
Once I decided to show up fully, dimming my light doesn’t seem to be an option.
When I follow my heart and intuition to create, asking others for permission just seems too much.
Instead of being transactional for the sake of reaching OKRs, I get to create deep trust and impact.
With the increasing capacity to be loving and feel loved by myself, others, and the world, I wouldn’t want it otherwise.
So the answer is simply, “No, thank you!”
I love creating who I am now.
Love,
Wen