How Life-Changing Decisions Transform Your Life Forever

Two years ago today I walked away from 3 very successful businesses. 

I was tired, actually I was exhausted and completely burnt out. I could hardly function.  

On a daily basis I dreamt of ways of getting away from the situation I had put myself in. 

In saying that the decision to walk away was not an easy one. I loved being the owner and the managing director. The money, success, and recognition brought me joy. I loved that people looked to me for my opinion and I was invited to every event. My ego loved that side of the business and it also felt like I had made it in a way. 

But the real me knew deep down I couldn’t keep going. My body was having loads of health issues and my head felt like it would explode. My nerve ending felt raw and every text message, email or phone call made me feel sick to my stomach. I couldn't shut down my brain or calm myself down in any way.

The business consumed every aspect of our lives, my husband and I were both in it and we just destroyed ourselves trying to keep it going during COVID 19. 

From the worst perspective, it put unbelievable stress on me. I went into overdrive when everyone else was taking time to chill and re-assess their lives. 

I worked more, I pushed myself further and I was relentless. Failure was not an option while the business was in my hands. Looking back I was an obsessed crazy person that was filled with fear of success and fear of failure. I could not stop working because if I did it would mean I had accepted the situation and I was not strong enough to deal with the potential outcomes.

For about 18 months, I tortured myself and my family. I was emotional, I was sad, I was exhausted and I couldn't deal with anything at all. From the outside it looked like I was a huge success getting through the pandemic with a profitable and successful business. And yes the business was profitable and successful - very, very successful however I had sacrificed myself for that success.

In February 2022 it all changed. I remember preparing my board report for an upcoming Board & Strategy Meeting with my business partners. There was just so much to report. I was 4 or 5 pages in and thought to myself - this is way too much. It was the first time I really had that crystal clear view of what I am done. 

When the meeting came around, I was presenting my board report to my business partners and their sheer lack of interest in what was going on floored me. I remember saying to them I need help, I really need help. The response that met me was one of  “ you will be right, things will change at some point”  - that day something changed  in me. There was a physical change and a slight disconnect from the business.

My thoughts changed from this too much to why am I doing this? Each day with each new challenge that feeling grew stronger and it was fed by the lack of desire of my business partners to help out or contribute more.

I hadn’t asked for much over the years we had been in business and now I was asking. Maybe I wasn't forceful enough, I simply didn’t have the energy to try and make them see what was happening, what was happening to me. 

I don't blame them, I had always taken on the responsibility, I moved at 100 miles an hour and was like an energiser bunny! I was super capable and needed no one until I did.

COVID 19 as the best thing to happen to me. If COVID had not happened I would not have done what I did and I would not have been forced to make decisions that put me first. 

I remember the day I realised I had to get out. I was on the phone to my counsellor/coach talking through what was happening for the 200th time and she said to me “You know what you need to do?” and of course I said “ No, that's why I am talking to you.” Her advice was to get out, sell up, give away my shares or do whatever I had to do to get away. It was May 2022 at the time. I remember crying for what felt like days. Finally I knew what needed to happen. 

Although a number of others had given me that advice this suddenly hit home and I knew that it was exactly what I needed to do.

6 months later after thousands of conversations and emails I was out, we were out and the shock was considerable. The world changed forever for us in a way that we didn't expect.

When something that consumes you is suddenly gone from your life a massive empty space appears. An empty space for rest, healing, self care, self love, forgiveness, education, friends, family and so much more. The energy that surrounds you changes, your body changes, your mind changes and in the end your life changes.

When you put yourself first and ensure everything else around you honours that decision, I feel like the universe changes and for the better. You are essentially saying I am important, I am valued, I am enough and I want my life to be better. A life filled with joy, happiness, and adventures is my goal. I want to know my kids and I want to know myself.

I get that a decision like this isn’t easy, however I know that COVID 19 was as bad as it changed the lives and the values of so many millions of people. 

How many people do you know who have made life-changing decisions in the last couple of years?

These decisions were completely out of character, but they did it to improve their lives for the better.

So if you are in a job you don't love, a relationship that isn't working, a city that doesn't fit you then make changes. Choose you and choose to make your life better. It may be hard at first, but the energy and power you gain will open new opportunities and paths.

Don't put up with what you don't want. You deserve the best and go out there and get the best for you. 

Read here if you don't know what to do. 

Learn more here for life-changing decisions, and contact me to see how I can help.