Courageous heart: a woman's triumph over fear

Posted on April 11, 2024 by Elizabeth Stief, One of Thousands of Career Coaches on Noomii.

It all started over a decade ago. I fell in love and embarked on a new chapter of my life as I got married and moved to the picturesque landscapes of Switzerland. I was happy! Eager to make the most of the opportunity, I secured an administrative role, considering it a temporary solution while anticipating a more fitting position aligned with my qualifications and experience.

The turning point came when I became involved in a promising task force project. Motivated by new responsibilities, I was excited to shift to a role within the company that was more suitable for me.

The time for change arrived. My expectations were high…
…only to be shattered by the news that there would be no shift…
I was needed where I was, in that admin role…

With my wings cut, I comforted myself with the hope that there would be another chance. In the meantime, I would turn to my interests and use my free time as a source of fulfillment.

Several months later, another opportunity of the position shift came!

But…
…history repeated itself.

All I wanted was to quit. Frustration and disappointment became my constant companions. But fear and uncertainty held me back. I was over 40, in a foreign country, stuck in the same job for over a decade. According to professional recruiters, I was rusted. Calming myself down to embrace reason and keep that “secure job” appeared to be a sensible solution at the time.

Looking back now, I realize it was a big mistake. It would never work. I was acting against my intuition, my feelings, my beliefs.

As time wore on, the disconnect grew and my emotional turmoil was intensified. I distanced myself from family, friends, gave up hobbies. The joy that once fueled me vanished. The little energy I had left was completely drained by the job.

Then, the pandemic hit. Amidst its horrific chaos, I confronted the truth: I needed a change. I wanted joy, passion and a life that felt fulfilled! A decision had to be made and I knew it had to be fast.

… But HOW?

Questions, doubts, and anxieties flooded my mind. It seemed there was no way out.

Come what may, I was determined to reclaim my life. I dived into my favorite subject: personal growth and motivation. Full of hope I was looking for mentors and coaches that would be specialized in what I needed. Yet, finding the right solution proved elusive.

Only by chance, I encountered a career counselor who used coaching techniques. What a coincidence! She became my catalyst for change. Three transformative months of coaching unveiled my clear path forward. Armed with newfound clarity, I made the bold decision to resign from my job and embark on the journey of building a new life.

But the timing could not have been worse.
Still, I have proven that everything is possible by going all-in.

The fact is, there is no such thing as the best time for a major change. It is either you who initiates it or the change hits you hard when you don’t expect it! Believe me, the first option is better!

My journey was challenging and I am thankful for it.
As strange as it may sound, I am deeply thankful for the problems and people that made me realize I had to make the leap.

Now, I stand ready to give back. I have become that mentor and coach that I was desperately looking for when times were hard. I am here to share my experience and skills, to help women like me break free from their constraints and find professional fulfillment.

Each twist, turn, and uphill climb leads to a moment of clarity and empowerment. The greatest gift of all is the freedom to rewrite your life story. Don’t let any chances pass you by. You never know how much happier you can become!