Within this year I left the job I'd been working for the last 7. Something in me knew there was more for me in the world. Even though it was were I was happy and comfortable, I pushed my own boundaries and left. Now, I'm across the country, pursuing several dreams at once. When you know, you know.

I was in a different industry and realized it was a dead end with manufacturing going to China. I researched the chemical industry and found a position at Ashland Distribution. I convinced the hiring manager that even though I had no chemical experience that I had an excellent sales record, was a quick study and that my track record proved I could grow the territory. I've been in the industry for over 10 years.

In the early days of adulthood, I found myself a single mother, nearly finished with nursing school, facing the overwhelming responsibility of providing for my child. Life demanded a pivot, and I made one of the scariest decisions of my life: leaving a familiar path to pursue a career in banking. That leap of faith, born out of necessity, became the foundation of the success I enjoy today. Sometimes, the most uncertain steps lead to the most extraordinary destinations. Growth often begins where comfort ends. So take the leap, trust yourself, and never look back. Your future is waiting.

I realized I needed change when comfort started feeling like confinement. I took the leap with fear in one hand and faith in the other and life met me with alignment.

I realized most likely I wouldn't be retiring at the company I was at. I'd been there essentially 12 years! I needed industry experience and startup experience so I joined a health insurance start up. A much needed change for me!

I realized I wasn't leaving a job. I was evolving beyond it. Every challenge, every success, and every lesson prepared me to finally choose myself. Growth isn't about walking away; it's about recognizing when you've outgrown the space you once helped build while having the wisdom to know that those who helped you along the way will always be part of your journey. I'll forever be grateful for them.

Every leader reaches a point where they must choose: continue to tolerate what no longer serves them or take action to improve it. I’ve learned that progress starts the moment we stop complaining and start leading.

I learned a lot in that role, but ultimately wanted to be part of a leadership team whose vision and management style better matched my own values. I've been excited to bring those lessons forward into an environment that prioritizes collaboration and transparent communication.

I have made this choice when I realized I was not growing and did not have anywhere to go, so I looked elsewhere, by getting a headhunter. I have been told it is easier to find a job when you have a job, so that is what I did. Change is hard, but if you feel you are stuck, you do not want to stay miserable and un-happy.

A career is a curriculum; when the course stops teaching you, switch to a course that does.

The turning point in my journey came the day I was diagnosed with POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) and told I would need to take heart medication, along with cholesterol pills, for the rest of my life. I remember sitting there in disbelief, thinking: How could this be it? How could the solution to my health come down to a lifetime prescription? When I asked if there was anything else I could do, my cardiologist smiled and said, "What you eat doesn't really make a difference. Your diet is already healthy." She gave me two months to "try whatever I wanted," certain it wouldn't change a thing. But two months later, I walked back into her office a completely different person. My symptoms had improved dramatically. The doctor's eyes widened as she admitted, "What you're doing is exactly what my patients should be doing." When I told her I had simply changed my diet and lifestyle, she didn't want to discuss it further, but I didn't need her validation anymore. That experience opened my eyes to something fundamental: I had been giving away all my power by trusting diagnoses more than my own body. And while I'm deeply grateful for medical professionals, I also understood something essential: for lifestyle-related conditions, we must become active participants, even the primary decision-makers, in our own healing. That realization set me on a new path. I stopped seeing my diagnosis as a life sentence and started seeing it as an invitation; a call to reclaim my health, my body, and my power. And once I took back that responsibility, everything shifted. Today, my mission is to help others do the same: to trust the body's innate intelligence, make conscious choices, and create a life that nourishes both themselves and the planet.

I was always invited to the table but never truly welcomed. The moment I recognized my worth and realized I was more than qualified to build my own table, my entire mindset shifted, and that's when real change began!

I gave everything I had to my law firm for 25 years. Finding work life balance is a constant challenge- especially for women. Sometimes success means making a move. I co-founded a new very successful company, Primacy Strategy Group. #PSG. With changing leadership in both of my organizations, it was the right time to take a breath, focus on my family, and search for the next adventure. I am the CEO of Doggos Paw and Play Park, and it is my passion! 🐾

The moment I realized I needed to change was when I embraced the philosophy "rejection is REDIRECTION." After being laid off at a company I was at for 11 years, it couldn't be more clear how much of a change I needed. I face this new chapter with excitement and gratitude for all of the lessons I've learned along the way.

I knew the universe would tell me when it was time to move on from my position with a global company. After 12 years of great achievements, mentoring/coaching, creating new initiatives & driving outstanding revenues, it became very clear to me when I could not support the new CEO with his strategy & more so his lack of valuing the sales teams.

I thought strength meant holding it all together until motherhood showed me that real strength is knowing when to let go. Walking away from chaos helped me find balance, healing, and a mission to help other moms do the same.

From Seth Godin, "Change almost never fails because it's too early. It almost always fails because it's too late." In business and in life it's critical that you constantly evaluate, recognize and pivot / change as early as possible. This one principal has brought me the success and enabled me to rise to the level I am today.

I finally accepted that my current situation was never going to bring me happiness, and was, in fact, robbing me of any joy in my life. I vowed to find my joy again, regardless of the hard decisions and what I needed to walk away from. And, I did it. I walked into the great unknown and fought for a better life. All the challenges along the way and the courage it took to keep faith in my dream, were worth it. I am now living my dream that once felt almost impossible. Keep dreaming your big dream, you are worth it!

At several points in my life, when a job I had loved, evolved in a way that conflicted with my personal and professional ethics - it became clear that my next step was to walk away to something new. This always came with a sense of loss, but also a renewed vision of hope.

I realized I needed change when I stopped growing. Walking away from stability to bet on myself was terrifying, but staying would have meant settling, and I didn't come this far to only get this far.

A situation arose in a job I had been at for many years, this single event allowed me to recognize that my time with this company had come to an end. An opportunity landed in my lap to make a jump into a different specialty of healthcare as well as broaden my scope of responsibility. The courage to make a change during that time of my life was the catalyst that propelled my career fast forward. I have no regrets, and learned the courage to step out can advance your career to a level you never expect or in a direction you never imagined yourself to go (in the most positive ways possible).

In the year of 2020, I was at my lowest: mentally, physically, and spiritually. I felt like I had nowhere to turn. A change needed to happen somewhere, and where I started was community. Changing who I surrounded myself with was the greatest blessing that put me on a trajectory for holistic wellness. I value the communities I place myself in because the people within motivate me to be a better version of myself every single day. The people I surround myself with model lifestyles, I aspire to emulate.

There came a point in my career when I realized that staying in my previous role was no longer aligned with my growth, values, or long-term goals. It was a difficult decision, because leaving a familiar environment can feel uncertain, but I knew that true progress required change. I made the leap by carefully evaluating my priorities, seeking advice from mentors, and trusting my instincts. It wasn’t about abandoning stability, but about pursuing opportunities where I could make a meaningful impact and continue to develop professionally. The next chapter led me to my current role as Executive Assistant to the CEO at Gracemark Solutions, where I’ve been entrusted with significant responsibility, including face-to-face meetings with key enterprise clients. Walking away from a position that no longer fit allowed me to step into a role that challenges me, leverages my strengths, and aligns with my values. This experience taught me that courage isn’t always about reaching higher; sometimes it’s about stepping forward into the right path, even if it means leaving comfort behind.

Sometimes the bravest move isn’t climbing higher it’s walking away. For me, that moment came after years of leading clinical research teams across Latin America and the U.S., mentoring professionals, and stewarding complex operations. I had the title, the metrics, the stability. But I also had a divine nudge: this season was complete. The moment I knew I needed change? When I realized that staying would mean shrinking. I wasn’t burned out I was being called out. I saw the blueprint for INNATA Inc. through spiritual discernment and strategic conviction. It wasn’t just a business idea it was an assignment rooted in restoration, legacy, and generational impact. How I made the leap? I anchored in stewardship. I didn’t chase funding I clarified the mission. I built lender-ready plans that honored courage and integrity. I released performance-driven leadership and chose joy over pressure. I modeled elevated communication in every outreach, decline, and partnership offer. And I built coalitions with women, families, and organizations who shared INNATA’s values because alignment is the true currency of legacy. What came next? Breakthrough. I began mentoring others to leap from clarity, not fear. I published mission-driven materials, built strategic alliances, and watched restoration ripple through every partnership. Walking away didn’t end my career it recalibrated it. And today, I teach others that when you walk away from misalignment, you don’t lose you rise.

I spent 15 years running a cancer center and aster a while became stagnant. For a long time, I equated success with staying the course — pushing harder, doing more, proving myself. But there came a moment when I realized that staying no longer aligned with who I was becoming. I wasn’t growing; I was just enduring. Walking away from a 15 year old career wasn’t about giving up — it was about choosing growth over comfort. It required faith, courage, and a willingness to sit in the unknown for a while. But on the other side of that decision came clarity, renewed purpose, and a career that aligns with both my values and my peace of mind.

Leaving a job that once defined your identity is one of the hardest—and most freeing—decisions you can make. For years, I poured myself into a role that looked successful on paper but no longer aligned with the person I was becoming. The long hours, the constant pressure, and the feeling of being "on" all the time began to chip away at my sense of purpose. I realized I was no longer growing; I was just performing. The moment of clarity came quietly. One day, sitting in another strategy meeting, I realized that what used to energize me now felt heavy. That's when I knew it was time to choose alignment over achievement. I spent weeks reflecting on what I wanted next—work that felt meaningful, teams that inspired me, and a mission that aligned with my values. I built a plan, not an escape. I organized my finances, networked intentionally, and trusted that leaving something good could make space for something greater. When I finally gave notice, it wasn't out of frustration—it was out of peace. The transition wasn't easy, but it reminded me that courage isn't just about pushing forward; sometimes it's about letting go. What came next was clarity. New opportunities appeared that matched both my professional strengths and personal growth. I rediscovered creativity, confidence, and the excitement that comes from building again. Leaving that job taught me that success evolves—and so should we. The bravest thing we can do is listen when something no longer fits, and have the courage to rewrite our own definition of fulfillment.

Money isn't worth my peace, it will leave you worse off when you trade alignment for achievement. I've learned that no paycheck is worth your purpose, and no title is worth your tranquility.

The decision to leave a job without having another one lined up can be incredibly risky, but sometimes it's necessary for personal growth and happiness. In my story, I realized that staying in my current role at QRM was no longer serving her best interests, and I took a leap of faith by resigning. Despite facing a year of unemployment, I persevered and continued to search for my dream job. During this time, I may have taken the opportunity to reassess my career goals, update my skills, and network with others in my field. Through determination and resilience, I eventually landed a job that aligned with my passions and values at Holland Lake Rehab. My story serves as a reminder that taking risks and embracing uncertainty can lead to rewarding opportunities and personal fulfillment. While walking away from a job without a backup plan may not be the right choice for everyone, it's essential to listen to your instincts and prioritize your well-being when making significant life decisions.

Having worked in the legal field for so many years had its rewards and challenges, but it never felt important, like really making a difference. I wanted a job that had deep purpose and made a difference in people's lives. Being a background investigator is the first line of defense for our nation's security and the importance of the work I do has made all the challenges of getting here worth every minute.

Evolving from the past, into the present and building towards the future. There is no set time in making a dream or a goal a reality. Trust in yourself to make them become a reality at any given point of your life's span. Welcome challenges for growth and turn them into knowledge for your success story.

Sometimes the bravest thing you can do isn't pushing through. It's choosing to let go. For a long time, I believed success meant climbing higher, staying the course, and proving I could handle it all. But deep down, I knew I was out of alignment. I was exhausted, unfulfilled, and starting to lose sight of why I started in the first place. The moment I realized I needed change wasn't loud; it was quiet. It was a whisper in my spirit that said, you're allowed to choose something different. Walking away wasn't easy. It meant giving up stability, stepping into uncertainty, and trusting that something better could exist beyond what I had built. But it also meant choosing myself, my peace, my purpose, and my potential. What came next wasn't instant success or clarity. It was rebuilding. It was small steps, deep healing, and rediscovering my voice. And over time, it became the most empowering chapter of my life. Because walking away isn't failure; it's growth. And sometimes the real success is having the courage to start again, this time on your own terms.

In this situation my job left me and it was the bravest and most happiest decision I have ever made. I was injured in 2023 in a bad car accident that changed my life forever. Because of this after working there for well over eight years I was place on the recall list after being layed off. I sought other work and found the best job ever, which I currently work at and have just made my first year at Providence hospital. I have never been happier with my coworkers, boss's and everyone I come across at my work, so thanks to being layed off I have the best job ever.

After 10 years in retail, which can be a challenge to make the way up the ladder in, I managed to leave and am now working a job I love. I have shown my kids that being miserable at a job is not something you need to deal with but to find a job you love and that makes you happy to go to everyday.

The moment I realized I needed change was when I stopped growing. I've always believed in being the learner, and when a role no longer challenges you or aligns with your values, you're not just stagnant—you're moving backward. I looked around and thought, 'Is this where I want to be in five years?' The answer was clear: I needed to build something that reflected my values of hard work, integrity, and genuine relationships.

Sometimes the bravest move isn't climbing higher. It's standing back up when you didn't plan to fall. I didn't choose change; it was forced on me. I was fired without warning, and in the shock of the moment, I signed an NDA so I could receive a severance. I couldn't explain what happened, not even to myself. Overnight, my career, my stability, and my confidence vanished. For eight months, I applied to hundreds of jobs. I lived on unemployment, and toward the end, food stamps. I was desperate enough to consider a minimum wage job making copies. Anything to keep a roof over my son's head and food on the table. Then one person changed everything. A friend offered to review my resume and asked why I wasn't applying for construction project management roles. I told him that wasn't my title. He replied, "It doesn't matter what it was called, that's what you were doing." He showed me how to speak to the transfer of my skills, and how my non-construction degree reflected strengths in research, writing, and detail that translated directly into project management. That single shift in perspective changed everything. Once I learned to tell my story differently, opportunities opened up. Within weeks, I had multiple interviews and soon after, competing offers. I ended up landing a position with a 45% salary increase over the job I was fired from. Sometimes, the leap isn't a choice, it's survival. But it can still land you somewhere better than you ever imagined.

For years I was a teacher and counselor, and I truly loved helping people learn and grow. But after a while, something started to feel off. The long days, the strict schedules, and the limits of the system began to weigh on me. I started to crave more space to be creative, more time with my family, and the freedom to build something that felt completely my own. It wasn't an easy decision to walk away from a career that felt safe and familiar. But deep down, I knew I needed a change. I wanted to live a life that gave me control over my future, my time, and my finances. Becoming a life coach opened that door for me. It let me bring everything I loved about teaching and counseling into a new space where I could create, connect, and guide people in ways that feel aligned with who I am. Now I get to work from home, support others through their own transformations, and have the balance and joy I used to dream about. Sometimes the bravest move really isn't climbing higher. It's giving yourself permission to start again in a way that feels right.

Sometimes the bravest thing you can do isn't to climb higher but to simply walk away from a situation that no longer fits your purpose or values. For me, that moment came when I realized that despite my dedication and heart, the environment at City Day School was no longer where I could grow or serve in the way I was meant to. Making the decision to leave wasn't easy. It took courage rooted in faith and a deep understanding that my path was calling me elsewhere. I prepared myself by leaning into my education, my experiences, and the knowledge that sometimes progress means stepping into the unknown. Walking away opened the door to new opportunities where I could bring my whole self (my strengths, my passion, and my purpose) into clearer focus. It was a turning point that reminded me growth often comes not from holding on tighter, but from having the strength to let go.

I left a role that no longer aligned with my values or vision for growth. It wasn't about leaving people. It was about finding the right kind of people. Now, I work with teams who share the same integrity, purpose, and curiosity for meaningful research. Walking away opened the door to build something that truly fits who I am and how I want to work.

For me, the bravest moves in my career weren't about climbing higher they were about knowing when to walk away. I left corporate roles six different times, each time recognizing that staying no longer aligned with who I was becoming. With every departure, I gained a little more clarity, a little more purpose, and a deeper understanding of what truly mattered to me. Those transitions weren't impulsive, they were conscious decisions rooted in growth. I used each exit as an opportunity to explore new roles, new strategies, and new ways of contributing to society and the greater good. While many people chase the corporate ladder, it never impressed me. In fact, it often felt like a polished, refined version of a prison: safe, structured, predictable, but limiting in its own way. My most recent departure was the most intentional yet. It was a well-planned exit, driven by the desire to pursue opportunities that simply aren't possible within the confines of a 9–5. I knew I needed more space to build, to create, and to follow the instinct I had nurtured for years. Walking away didn't feel like giving up. It felt like stepping into alignment. And every time I've chosen that path, what came next has been more expansive, more fulfilling, and far more authentic to the life I'm meant to lead.

Sometimes the bravest decision is not climbing higher. It is recognizing when the role you are in no longer reflects who you are or the impact you know you can make. For me, that realization came gradually. I had spent years building strong teams, leading complex initiatives, and shaping the direction of the organization. On paper, everything looked right. But internally, something had shifted. The opportunities for growth no longer felt aligned, the environment constrained the work I cared most about, and contributions I valued deeply were becoming harder to see in the larger picture. The moment I knew I needed change came when I asked myself the same question I ask the leaders I coach. If someone on my team were experiencing exactly what I was experiencing, what would I advise them to do? Looking at it through that lens made the answer painfully clear. I would never encourage someone to stay in a role that limited their growth or diminished their contributions. I could not hold myself to a different standard. Leaving was not easy. When you care about the work and the people, walking away feels like a loss before it feels like a beginning. I made the intentional choice to take three months to rest, reflect, and close that chapter of my life before deciding what came next. That time was essential. It allowed me to reset, regain perspective, and reconnect with what I wanted my next season of leadership to look like. When I finally shifted into entrepreneur mode, it was both exhilarating and intimidating. Making that first pitch felt like stepping out without a net. But I landed my first client quickly and walked away with an arrangement that aligned perfectly with the type of work I wanted to do. It confirmed what I already suspected. Sometimes the door you are afraid to walk through is the one that leads to the work you were meant to do. Leaving a job that no longer fits is not a step into failure. It is a step into alignment. It is choosing to honor your capabilities, protect your energy, and create space for the work that reflects your full potential. The leap was challenging, but what followed has been the most fulfilling chapter of my career.

Leaving wasn't abandoning stability. It was honoring my worth when a place stopped reflecting it.

The moment I realized my job no longer suited me was the moment I comprehended that staying would cost me more than leaving ever would. I paid close attention to the signs: a lack of growth, misalignment with my values, and a feeling of shrinking to maintain comfort. Leaving demanded clarity, courage, and trust. I meticulously mapped out my next steps, leaned on my support network, and reminded myself that transitions aren't setbacks, they're invitations. What followed was growth, expansion, and opportunities that I would never have encountered had I remained in a place that no longer resonated with me.

Sometimes the bravest move isn't climbing higher; it's walking away. For me, that moment came during a high-performing stage of my career, working on a project I deeply loved. Unfortunately, my manager at the time was extremely unprofessional and intent on promoting their own team, often finding fault where none existed. Despite my passion for the work, I realized that staying would compromise my mental well-being. I made the difficult decision to leave, knowing change is hard but necessary for growth. That experience taught me a powerful lesson: walking away isn't failure; it's choosing yourself and creating space for better opportunities.

When I first started with the company, I felt like I had really made it. They had a stellar reputation and were considered the 'gold standard' in Applied Behavior Analysis in the area. As a new BCBA just learning the ropes, it was a wonderful place to learn from amazing analysts, and to hone my own skills. Over time, and with considerable company expansion, it began to feel like the mission had changed in a way that no longer aligned with my ethics. So, while it was a difficult choice to leave the big company with the big name and big reputation, I knew it was time. There also came a time when "the little things" I had been accepting became one big incident that I just couldn't reconcile with who I was as a clinician. At that point, I gave my notice, found another position with a smaller company that is, to this day, a unicorn in terms of ethical practices, trust and support for clinicians and their judgment, and for doing so much for an underserved community, and I started my new journey. I found my way back to the reasons I got into Applied Behavior Analysis in the first place. And, although I am no longer with the small company, I will always consider them a sort of lifesaver for an analyst on the verge of becoming jaded. Keep looking....good people are out there!

I left because it no longer fit who I was becoming. What came next wasn't a perfect plan, but momentum. I gave myself space to think, experiment, and rebuild on my own terms. Walking away wasn't an ending—it was the beginning of aligning my work with who I truly am.