Holding Pattern

Have you ever had so much going on in your life all at once that you decide to do nothing and just be still? That’s where I am right now. I’ve decided to place myself in a holding pattern.
CAREER
For nearly 7 years, my professional career has been on overdrive, full speed ahead. I began my current career as an Intern with an annual salary of $33,000. Since then, I’ve been promoted, entrusted with progressively complex projects, empowered with limited authority to carry out my responsibilities, and earned a salary increase of more than $10,000 every single year for the past 7 years. Currently, my salary exceeds six figures, my authority is unlimited, and I oversee a staff that manages multi-million dollar projects. Some may think this is amazing progress, but it hasn’t been an easy feat. I’ve worked hard - I mean HARD. I’ve hustled. I’ve networked. I’ve established my professional reputation. On the grind everyday, day after day, non-stop.
But now…I’m tired.
I’ve pushed myself so hard and my career has moved so fast, I can’t continue to live up to the performance that others have come to expect. No, scratch that. I can live up to it, I don’t know if I’m “willing” to live up to it. If I were, I’ve positioned myself perfectly to earn another promotion within a year. It’s so close, I can almost taste it. But I’ve decided that I’m not willing to put in the leg work to make it happen. It’s time to slow down. The salary and responsibilities at the next level are gift wrapped with an inordinate amount of demands that will place a burden on my personal life. As a single mom of a teenager who’s breaking out of her baby shell, I’m not ready to make the necessary sacrifice. However, I will continue to deliver the same quality results where ever my name is associated and I will continue to help my subordinates develop the necessary skills to advance their careers. But for me - just for now - I am going to be still and place my own career in a holding pattern.
PERSONAL FINANCES
I’ve had an interest in personal finance all of my adult life, but I’ve only been blogging about it for 2.5 years. In that short amount of time, I’ve made significant changes/improvements in my own personal finances. I am now non-mortgage debt free. I max out my annual 401k contributions. I max out my annual IRA contributions. I have a fully funded emergency fund. And I’ve recently begun to focus on non-retirement investments. All of my basic financial goals have been met and my saving/investing contributions are on auto pilot.
There’s so much more I can push myself to accomplish, but I am content. I’m quickly learning that owning rental property introduces many financial risks if one is not postured to handle the worst case scenario. So I’ve decided, it’s time to focus on the one thing that could potentially threaten my comfortable financial life. I will continue to make automatic saving and investing contributions, but all excess cash flow will go into the rental property. Which means - just for now - I’m going to be still and place my personal finances in a holding pattern.
BabyGirl & Mr Eye Candy
Since many of you have inquired, I’ve decided to throw in a tidbit about two of the most important people in my life. Sometimes the relationships I have with them seem too good to be true. If I wrote a book, it may be classified as a fairytale. Then, there are other times when we face challenges that make our bed of roses feel like thorns. I’m thankful those times are few and far between, but based on experience, overcoming those challenges have strengthened our bond.
Currently, I’m in a weird place with both of them. Although I’m usually a “fix it” person, I’ve come to realize that everything doesn’t have to be perfect all the time. All relationships have dips in the valley and it’s ok to let the natural process run its course. I will continue to nurture the relationships with the same tender loving care. But I’ve decided - just for now - I’m going to be still and place my two most important personal relationships in a holding pattern.
Lesson Learned
There’s a time for everything. Sometimes it’s YOUR time, sometimes it isn’t. If things seem too difficult, too much to bear, or you can sense a storm on the horizon - hold tight. Try your best to prepare for what’s coming, but don’t take on more than you can handle and get ready to face the inevitable. If you’re lucky, you may avoid it temporarily. But if the challenge was meant to occur, it WILL come full circle again. Sometimes, the best way to manage is to slow down, be still, and place yourself in a holding pattern. This is when the most valuable lessons are learned.
I know this is an unusual post with cryptic details sprinkled throughout, but the intent of the message is from the heart. Take full advantage of your growth period but also recognize and accept when you need to be in a holding pattern.
Image Credit: The Chronicle
~*~*~*~*~*~Work to achieve, not to acquire.
And as always, BE FABULOUS!



