That’s right, I’ve sent in my resignation letter. The reason is not to become a full-time writer, but it’s almost as good – I finally got a chance to take a major step up in my career. I will be moving to a different organization to lead a team of twenty people – a whole new level of responsibility, new challenges, and hopefully a whole new chapter of my career.
This couldn’t have come at a better time. Just to think, five weeks ago I was crying myself to sleep, getting ready to have two surgeries just to rule out cancer. It was about that time that in an attempt to distract myself, I’d checked Seek to see if any exciting new jobs were advertised. There was one. A perfect job, in fact. Damn bad timing, wasn’t it? I looked at it again the next day. Two or three times. Damn.
I didn’t have the time or mental power to apply, as those kinds of jobs usually require a multi-page statement addressing key selection criteria. This one was through an executive search agency, so they only asked for a resume and a cover letter. I finally sent in the application, just to stop myself from looking at the job advertisement and obsessively Google-stalking the organization.
Imagine my shock when I got the phone call from the agency on the day between the two surgeries. I was high as a kite on opiates and did my best to sound sober as the agent explained that they would like me to come in for the interview the following week. I explained that I was about to have major surgery and asked for a Skype meeting instead. To my surprise, they agreed. Somehow, I managed the next week in the hospital, came home just in time and spoke with the agent for half an hour over Skype. I could not even sit upright, instead wedged in the corner of the couch, with pillows under knees and elbows, afraid to move. I honestly did not think I had a chance – I had a hard time concentrating even to read a book. I even put my new reading glasses on in an attempt to look more distinguished. Pathetic, I know. The agent was lovely and I enjoyed the chat and the corresponding shot of adrenaline. She hung up, I took off my glasses and went back to watching the endless renovation shows.
Imagine my shock when I got the next phone call – this time I was asked to come into the city for an interview with the panel, including my future boss and a couple of other high-flyers. “Sure,” I said. “I can make it happen.” I had no idea how I would make it happen, as I could not yet walk straight and none of my clothes fit because my abdomen was still swollen. I finally figured out a presentable outfit made of a stretchy dress and a wrap jacket. I took a bunch of pills and forced myself to stand up straight. Straight enough at least. You really can’t tell if you strike a pose:
I took a taxi to the city and felt every freaking speedbump and pavement crack with my whole body. It took me ten minutes to compose myself in the lobby and then wobble up the hallway, trying to look cool and nonplussed as I was shown to a chair. I smiled and tried to hide how much effort it was to get into that chair. Funny enough, once I started talking, I felt no pain whatsoever, adrenaline working just as good as tramadol did. I remembered the pain only when I went to stand up at the end of the interview. I barely made it out of the office before I popped a tramadol stashed away in my purse.
Life didn’t stop surprising me there. There was another interview, then the ugly task of asking my manager for a reference, then an even uglier task of quitting the job I’ve loved for four years. It’s all done now, and I can finally relax. I don’t know if it’s the normal healing process or a wave of happiness, but I have had almost no pain today, and a whole week of sick leave left to go.
It has not sunk in yet, that this crazy stunt has paid off. Maybe a little crazy is just what I needed. One thing is for sure, I’m about to have a time of my life with the rescheduled honeymoon in Bali, followed by the new job. There will also be a wedding, although that has not been rescheduled yet. It will be one hell of a firework ending to the crazy year.
A crazy stunt. Maybe that’s what I need to take the writing career off the ground, too. I’ll keep you posted.
Ana Spoke, author 
Congratulations!
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Thank you!
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Congrats
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Thank you 🙂
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Congratulations! 🙂 And I am in total awe of how you got through the interview while in so much pain. Good for you! I hope the rest of your year will be amazing 🙂
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Congratulations! Raise a glass to a wonderful way to end the year.
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Thank you, Deb!
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Sorry I’m so late in responding to your great and wonderful news! Been busy with life. So happy for you! Isn’t it weird how when it seems the darkest that the brightest ,happiest, rewards are waiting for us on the other-side of doom and gloom? Your strength, mentally and physically is remarkable. There is a path set forth for us to follow when we are born. How we take advantage of the opportunities put in front of us determines our fate. Think of where you started and where you are now and how much you have accomplished. Be proud. Be amazed. Be ecstatic. Be grateful. You are simply an amazing person. I hope one day you write a book about your life. It would be so inspiring. When is the honeymoon, when do you start the new job, and when your happy you release endorphins in your brain which act like the pain pills and that’s why you weren’t feeling any pain.How are the dogs doing? Do you think you might get to keep Jerry forever or have to give him back? He is soooo cute. Hope you are feeling fit as a fiddle and back on track! Take care, and once again congrats on your dream job. So happy for you! Let us know how the new job is going.
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Thank you, Olivia! I am feeling so much better now that I’ve even started light gym workouts. Back at the old job, finishing up, but my mind is at the new place already, I’m spending my free time going over future budgets and trying to memorise the names of my 24 staff. The only bad news is that I could not keep Jerry – unfortunately Bubbles and him never sorted out their differences. At the end, they had to be separated because he kept nipping at her feet until she would bully him back. barking and whining all day in a tiny apartment, I could not take it. jerry went to a lovely family with kids, and we are staying in touch. I get pics of him sleeping in the new mama’s lap. Bittersweet.
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I’ve always found your posts about the trials and tribulations of self-publishing really helpful and insightful. Even if I don’t always let you know. So, I’m really happy for you and your new job/promotion. Also glad you’re feeling better physically. Best of luck for the future.
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Thank you very much, David. Good to know 🙂
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Good luck Ana – you look like the killer boss! You might be interested in this for promoting your books and building your mailing list. *http://AuthorsXP.com/*mlb-form I’ve tried it and it works.
Regards
Tim Vicary
email: tim.vicary@york.ac.uk website: http://www.timvicary.com blog: http:timvicary.wordpress.com
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Interesting, thank you Tim! How many email subscriptions did you get? have you tested them, to see if they unsubscribe after the first email from you?
Oh, and thank you for the compliment 🙂 I’m actually a nurturing boss, but it’s good to know I look like I mean business!
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Hi Ana,
I got a couple of thousand each time. About 5% unsubscribe after each email I send, but that still seems worth it. My second problem is how to compose unspam like emails, which I’m not very good at, so I don’t send many. I imagine you’d be much better at it. Mailchimp tells me that about 50% open my emails and between 10-20% click on the links. Sorry for slow reply, been on holiday.
Regards
Tim
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We’re hiring
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Haha! Thank you, I will keep that in mind…
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Congrats! And best of luck!
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Thank you Kally!
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Go girl!!!!
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Thank you 🙂
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