Guest Post: Hard work, Kindness, and Unexpected Journeys

On Wednesday, November 23, 2009 – the day before Thanksgiving Day – I left my job. I left my I-make-pretty-decent-money-at-26, 8-5, comfortable, steady job. I respected my bosses and colleagues, was inspired by the industry, and was able to fund my spontaneous weekend excursions all throughout the summer. So why did I leave?

To move up the corporate ladder and into my corner office? To start my own business? To backpack through Europe?

Nope.

I left comfortable to jump clear into the absolute unknown.

What I knew I wanted was to be creative and play with words, and I knew I had just enough business to get me started (one paying client and a few “It’s a great experience!” situations). I knew what some other marketable skills were, and I knew deep down that it had to be possible to craft a life, a career, a journey on MY terms.

I wanted self-employment, working in coffee shops, and 2pm yoga. I wanted to move out of Minnesota for a little while and explore new cities.

Two months, four states, 16 hours, and 935 miles later, I’ve not only started what I sought out to do, but I’m also starting to realize (and love being reminded) that we don’t always end up where we thought we would. I was resistant at first, but I’m finally admitting that I am on a slightly different path than I started on. And that that’s ok.

For the last few months, my motto has been, “Be prepared to modify your plans,” because LIFE HAPPENS. We make plans and we work towards goals, and we kick serious tail when we realize those, but sometimes life does throw us a curveball that means we either modify our plans or we adapt them to fit our statusquo.

Today is Day 58. And 58 days, 4 states, 16 hours, and 935 miles later I’ve found that I’m more suited to connect people than I am to do other things I tried, that my purpose is more collaborative than it is solo, and that community-building is more important to me than leading the pack. I blogged about totally owning up to being a Little Picture Person, and I lost a little sight of that trying to take over the world. That’s not to say I don’t enjoy wild innovation, leadership, and idea-storming. I do. I thrive on it. But after two months of trying to entrepreneurialize my life in the middle of new relationships, moving across the country, and constantly putting myself in situations that are so far beyond my comfort zone, I’ve decided to seek a bit more balance.

Instead of spreading myself thin over too many little projects, I’ve committed more strongly to the ones I believe the most in, found room for moredoing less, but doing it better.

I moved from Minneapolis, MN to Boulder, CO two weeks ago. I have since started volunteering with a non-profit committed to bringing yoga to kids, am checking out gyms, doctors, stylists, and tailors to call my own, am thrilled to work with some brilliant locals on some really fun things, and have found myself truly blessed with the most amazing people with the kindest spirits at a time when I most needed to feel welcomed.

Next up? I’m quickly falling in love with this city, finding a rhythm and a routine that allows for the work and creativity I crave, and I’m at the beginning of partnerships and projects I could have only dreamed of working on.

I think Conan said it best last week when he said,

But if you work really hard and you’re kind, amazing things will happen.

I’m not the sole proprietor of my own new business. But I am exactly where I want to be and will keep moving forward, working hard, and being kind. Because I don’t know about you, but I love amazing things.

Doniree Walker is a recent Boulder, Colorado transplant by way of Minnesota. She believes in champagne with breakfast, that it’s possible to live off of cheese and pasta, and is fueled by new relationships with kind and inspiring people. She documents her journeys and adventures in yoga, travel, relationships, and living in color on her personal blog, {d.com}. You can also catch her in 140 characters or less @doniree. Stop by and say hi, she’d love to meet you!

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