Today is the first day of my Next Chapter!

Yes, after 15 years at Microsoft I’ve taken the tremendous leap and resigned to begin my own coaching business. And it feels both exhilarating and terrifying all at the same time! Make no mistake – I adore my manager, my role, my team, and Microsoft. I’ve been asked so many times – if you’re so happy, why are you doing this? So I’ll share my secret… It’s because I have an even greater passion and I choose, yes, choose to make this change so that I’m able to fully live my passion!

Throughout my entire career I have mentored, inspired, and coached people. It’s something I’ve always been drawn to, although it’s certainly never been my actual role. Now that I’ve been formally coaching Microsofties for the past 2-1/2 years, as well as coaching others outside of Microsoft, it really came down to the fact that I felt like my day job was now getting in the way of my true calling & passion.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I don’t settle and that I believe in creating my own destiny. So really the only decision was in the timing. With many of the doors opening for me (I’m a firm believer in watching for the signs that the time is right) it seemed that for me the time is now!

So I mustered up the courage to talk with my amazing manager, to let him know that I was leaving. No small task, since we’ve been business partners together for about 12 years! He was tremendously supportive – even though it means HUGE CHANGE for him. He never once even brought that up – he reassured me that I am making the absolute right decision, and asked me if I was going to have insurance. Yep – his first thoughts were of me – not of himself. Did I mention what an amazing manager he is?!?!?

So the past couple of months have been all about interviewing and trying to find the right next person for my role, and then transitioning everything over to my successor. I’ve had a lot of time to continue to re-evaluate this decision of mine.

So yes, today is the FIRST DAY of my NEXT CHAPTER! I won’t feel badly or miss the role – what I will miss is the people. People like, my manager, @Brad Anderson, who is the most remarkable, brilliant, selfless, humble, generous, and supportive individual it’s my pleasure to know. People like @Ben Hawken, who brightens up each and every day with his creative genius and humor. People like @Katrina Zuccaro who brings a smile to each person as she goes about doing her job with expertise and focus. There are so many people who are incredibly special to me and who have made working at Microsoft over the past 15 years the experience of a lifetime!

So as I move forward with my Next Chapter, I walk forward with courage, humility, passion and a grateful heart. For those I’ve been so fortunate to work with over the past years, those who will most assuradely remain connected moving forward, and those who I have yet to meet on their path to living their best life!