I am currently working on a freelance writing assignment that talks a lot about risk, so I started thinking about times in my life where I've taken chances. Some of them were really big risks that have paid off in major ways for me even though I really didn't know what I was doing at the time. I do know, however, that had I not taken those risks, my life would've turned out vastly different.

Admittedly, there are a couple of risks that I took that did not turn out so well, but the lessons learned from those experiences are invaluable; therefore, I don't consider them to be mistakes.

Decades ago, I took an unplanned gamble. Some could argue that it wasn't that terribly risky considering I was still living at home with my mom and didn't have a mortgage or student loan payments. However, I did have a car payment and other little bills, so I definitely needed steady income. All that to say, I didn't have any business quitting a job I'd had for three years, and I definitely didn't have any business doing so in the manner in which I did. But, I did it anyway.

It was a normal day of taking phone calls at the call center where I worked ... an extremely popular line of work in Omaha. I remember clocking back in from lunch and sitting down to do something I did for every minute of every work day, minus the hour lunch break. I don't know how long I sat there taking calls, but it couldn't have been more than an hour. Further, I didn't have a bad experience with a customer that day or anything. So, I can't exactly explain why in that moment, I simply decided that I didn't want to do what I was doing anymore, and I removed my headset, got up from my seat, gathered my belongings, clocked out, and I left.

I didn't say a word to anyone, but I remember feeling eyes on me. I worked within arm's reach of other people ... extremely close quarters. In fact, I want to say there were about six of us altogether in one large cubicle area. I distinctly recall seeing out of the corner of my eye my supervisor's head following me as I sashayed across the floor. He was sitting in the "circle" in the middle of the room. It was elevated above the floor, so he could see everything from there and be available should an employee need him to handle a situation on the phone. His eyes followed me as I walked confidently toward the exit.

When I got home, I sat down and turned on the television. The phone rang. I believe cell phones were around at this time, but no one really had one... This was a landline. I don't think caller ID was invented yet ... not that it would've deterred me from answering the phone.

"Lynette, is everything all right?" my supervisor asked in a concerned, soft tone.

"Yes, everything is fine. I just quit."

If there were any other words spoken, I don't remember them. I just remember not being afraid and being quite comfortable with my actions. It's too bad that things had to end that way, because I liked my boss at the time. But this wasn't about him. Lynette needed to leave the building.

There was no plan. I didn't know what I was going to do next. I didn't know how I'd pay my bills. I didn't care what others thought. I didn't wish to wait for two weeks. I didn't care that there was no other job lined up. It was like a force pulling me out of my seat and pushing me toward the exit. I didn't really have any control over what I was doing. However, I somehow knew I wasn't supposed to be there, sitting in that seat talking on those phones anymore, so I had to go.

Thankfully, I got a better job two weeks later ... one that allowed me to use my best skill sets and to learn other skill sets along the way. I'd severely outgrown the other job and needed to leave immediately. It probably wasn't the best way to leave a company, but apparently it was what I needed to do at that time in my life. It was a risk that turned out great for me, and quite frankly, it was perfect timing.

I must say, it was one of the most liberating, exhilarating things I've ever done.

To those struggling with doing something you deem as risky, I can only say be brave, courageous, believe in yourself, listen to the voice inside of you. Don't allow trepidation, self-doubt to alter your footsteps and change your journey.

Have you done anything risky in your life? Did it pay off for you?

Thank you for reading!

#risk #life #journey #work