Two Roads Diverged

… Two roads diverged in a wood,
And I, I took the one less travelled by,
And that has made all the difference.”

The final stanza (at least I hope it is!) of the poem by Robert Frost.  Last read in my US Literature class taught by Dr Collins when I attended Seoul International School all of 20+ years ago, and recited line-by-line by my 10 year old son whilst hiking this past week (pure coincidence!)

While I may not remember the entirety of the poem, I do remember the sentiment being expressed by Robert Frost in it — that constantly were faced with choices in life. That we may think we can later revisit the decisions we make, when in fact, its highly unlikely were ever to come back to that same fork in our life’s road.  And that, sometimes, taking the “less travelled” road will, in fact, make all the difference.

As you know if you read my blog with any regularity (said somewhat tongue in cheek as I’ve been anything but regular in blogging these days!) I’ve been officially out of work again since mid June.  The company I joined in january is going thru some typically small company “tough times” and I was a casualty of that.

Further, you know that even when I left RIM almost a year ago, I wrestled with the “what should I do with my life” questions that inevitably come up when faced with life-altering occurrences like losing one’s job.  My path’s included:
1) Stay in technology marketing
2) Try to find something in marketing in an industry with which I have more personal passion
3) Try something completely different.

To those choices, I have also added a more recent one, harkening back to the “olden days” of my career … 4) Consult.

Well, with this most recent career-speed-bump… I have revisited those choices.  I have sought out a number of jobs representing different of those options. And, I’m pleased to say that I’ve accepted a role that represents #3 on the list!

Part of me is super pleased and eager for the “new challenge”.  Something completely off the path I was on, in an industry I’m passionate about, with a company I admire and want to work for.  All good things.

Part of me is fearful of “what I’m getting myself into”. Taking a big step back in terms of “career progression” while also taking a step sideways into a new type of job — sales! Part of me is clearly worried about the financial implications — can I support myself and my kids on the new, lower average income.

But excited won out over fearful… And clearly I articulated that to the organization as they did ultimately offer me the role that I have accepted.  (Btw, I’m not (yet) going to mention the organization as I want to continue to “protect the innocent” in all of this!).  I begin training in early July, and head to the states for a week for certification mid-month.  All of which will be hugely fun and challenging, I’m sure.

The other “comfort” I have in all of this, is that, while challenging from a time-commitment perspective, this role does not preclude me from taking on some marketing consulting on the side. So.. While I may be taking some big risks to try to shift my career … I am also able to stay current and supplement my “sales income” with some work I drum up thru my consulting business.

So… Let’s all hope that this “road less travelled” for me will be something that will “make all the difference” to my happiness and sense of fulfilment. Cause ultimately, in life, isn’t that what we *should* be striving to achieve?