Life As We Live It

This is a slightly more personal post, which I feel compelled to share with you for several reasons. I've decided to use Steve Jobs to aid me in making a point (if there is a point, we'll see) as he has been on the forefront of our minds over the past few months, he was one of the worlds greatest innovators, and he's someone who I find to be a great inspiration. 

In 2010 I found myself working for Google, a company that we all know to be one of the greatest in the world. I quickly realized that I wasn't happy there. My personal goals and passion were not supported by the way that Google operates. When I work for a company or with a team I have an internal need to add special value to that team. When you work for a company that employes 20,000 people it doesn't take long to start feeling a little, disposable. It was at that time that I realized I would ultimately need to work for myself in some capacity. 

When I was looking to move on from Google I had many supportive conversations with mentors and friends that I respect enormously. At the time I was considering leaving my career for a part time job that I could clock in and out of. The idea being that I wouldn't be mentally or emotionally tied to my job, but I could leverage the health benefits and use the income to support my family. My off time would be spent building a business of my own. That dream quickly came to a halt when I was presented with an attractive job offer from a Seattle start up company, I decided to put my dreams on hold and see where that opportunity would take me. 

I've now worked for that Seattle start up company for a year and a half. Yesterday I was laid off, which was admittedly expected considering my recent move. Today I feel really liberated and happy that I am no longer bound to a job that I can't physically report to. I am, however, feeling manipulated and used, some would say it's just business. That's a fair argument I suppose, but in reality, humans are emotional beings and should be handled with care, or at least with respect. I don't regret in any way making the decision to go back to work after leaving Google, I've met some really incredible people in the process (if you're reading this you know who you are, I love you guys). 

Okay so my point ... remember I said I was going to attempt to make a point.

Here I am, a year and a half later feeling the exact same way I did when I left Google. I didn't follow my heart then because I wasn't ready to risk my financial income for my dream. I guess in some ways it's a pretty insane thing to do. Here's where I'm at now, as far as I humanly know, this is my one shot at this whole life thing. It's time to allow myself to see what I can pull out of my mind, develop, and create. I have the courage, the ambition, and the value to be something amazing ... everyone does. I'm ready to change my life and see how it can change the world.

Did I make a point yet? Let me make it a little more concise, or wait ... let Steve Jobs make it a little more concise:

Thanks for listening. Love, Chelsea