It’s nice to receive that bi-weekly paycheck, isn’t it? Knowing that, barring being fired or laid-off, you can count on money magically appearing in your account via direct deposit. It doesn’t even matter if you had a crappy week and couldn’t focus at work, because generally you deliver and it’s incredibly expensive and time intensive for your employer to replace you. Which makes you feel pretty safe and secure.

I quit my last “job” in the summer of 2006 and, shortly thereafter, received coach training and hung my shingle. I was able to do this because my husband has been the one receiving that bi-weekly paycheck. It’s taken a good amount of time for my coaching business to be profitable and, in essence, Scott single-handedly financed the early years, for which I’m unendingly grateful.

Recently, Scott began to realize that his steady paycheck was no longer what he was after, no longer what he felt passionate about, no longer worth it.  He wanted to quit his job and launch his own business and was feeling increasing internal insistence that he take a leap of faith and go for it! I couldn’t help but feel a little panicky. I mean, I may be making a living wage now, but who’s to say I will next month. And both of us being self-employed? Do people do that?!?

You can see my value for security shining through here, but at the end of the day, security isn’t one of my top values. I actually have a relatively high tolerance for risk. More importantly, I have a high value on equality. I’ve never had any expectation or desire that I follow my dreams and Scott leaves his behind – it just doesn’t seem fair. It’s also not what’s best for Scott or me or our marriage. I want a partner who goes after what he wants, who creates meaning in his life, who operates from a place of authenticity and integrity. Plus, I like a good challenge.

So I got on board (to be honest, I think I was on board before Scott since his tolerance for risk is a tad lower) and earlier this month Scott gave notice to his employer. Next month, with the backing of a full-fledged production company, he launches MassGrass Media which will equip marketing/communications firms, companies and storytellers with strategic video counsel and creative production support.

(That's Scott, closest to the camera, in the Outer Banks.)

When it comes to job security, it seems we’re taking the road less traveled. It’s not empty, but it’s definitely not anywhere close to gridlock, a fact which in and of itself can be a little disconcerting. It’s reassuring to feel part of the pack. As we’ve explored the opportunities before us, however, we’ve each had to recognize that the road less traveled isn’t necessarily less secure, it’s just different. Companies lay people off all the time; people have accidents which render them unable to work; organizations pay salaries that are below a living wage.

We’re taking a leap of faith, yes, but we did so yesterday, too. And the day before that. Considering that we can only prepare for our future but not control it, it seems to me that taking a leap of faith is simply what each and every one of us does each and every day.

Tags: career, change, entrepreneur, sustainability

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 20th, 2010 at 10:36 am and is filed under change. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.