Mom and Dad ready to hit the road!
Years ago I was a member of a national organization with a state chapter. I participated for years and even served on the board.
But after a while I questioned the value of my membership. Fees had gone up significantly and the full-day educational meetings were cut back to half-days. Given that the meetings were held 60+ miles away, I hesitated to make the drive unless the programs offered something compelling.
I had reached a decision point.
Key Factors That Impacted My Decision
So before I renewed my membership again, I wrote down key expectations I had from this organization:
- Was I learning something I couldn’t find online?
- Was I establishing lasting friendships?
- Was I getting referrals from other members?
- Did it move my business forward?
- Did it matter to my clients whether or not I was a member?
- Did I feel uplifted and inspired from the meetings?
The answer to most of those questions was “no.”
The Real Reasons I Was Afraid to Leave
Next, I had to ask myself, what was the reason I continued to stay?
Was it simply out of habit? Or was it out of fear I’d be missing out on something if I left? Did I believe my reputation or credibility would be impacted? Was I worried I’d be left out in the cold within that industry — not part of the “cool kids” any longer?
And that last question hit home — fear of being left out. Fear of going it on my own.
The organization was a bubble. An insulated, comfortable, familiar bubble where I knew people and felt like I belonged somewhere with standing.
But that wasn’t a good enough reason to stay.
A Space of Uncertainty
I suspect some of you can relate. A few of you wonderful people may be in a similar situation right now.
- Just putting in your time?
- Afraid of the unknown?
- Worried you’ll regret pulling the plug?
Whether you face a membership renewal, a toxic relationship, a new place to live, a business start-up, a client you need to “fire” or a job that’s past it’s prime, you’re straddling the middle of the road.
And you may recall what Margaret Thatcher once said, “Standing in the middle of the road is very dangerous; you get knocked down by the traffic from both sides.”
There are lost opportunity costs. What other bigger, better, more fulfilling experiences are passing you by while you wait it out?
Time to Spread Your Wings
(Here’s where I insert the disclaimer “my lawyer” tells me to write: I’m not a doctor, attorney or accountant, so don’t hold me liable for what wild and crazy thing you might do next.)
You don’t need to make a decision right this minute. But you can take steps to move in the right direction. Do your homework, expand your network, reconnect, make a list of the pro’s and con’s, explore alternatives, create a Plan B and C.
Move out of the middle towards a constructive, definable goal. One you can wrap your arms around. Something you can look back on years from now and say to yourself, “I’m so glad I took action! I’m far better off now than if I’d stayed where I was.”
Let me know how it goes for you. I’ll be there on the sidelines cheering you on!
What I’m Reading
Lies I Taught in Medical School: How Conventional Medicine Is Making You Sicker and What You Can Do to Save Your Life – Simple, Proven Lifestyle Changes to Prevent and Reverse Disease, by Robert Lufkin, MD. Want to improve your health, lose weight, treat diabetes, fight off arthritis? (No, this is isn’t an ad for hormone replacement therapy.) It’s a fabulous book and well worth your money!