Resiliency Retrospective: Two Years, Four Post-its, and a Leap of Faith

Two years ago this week, I stood at a crossroads, staring down one of the biggest leaps of my life: leaving a steady software job to start my own coaching and consulting company. I'm not a stranger to leaps of faith and challenge - over my 43 years, I've faced challenges head-on— completing an MBA while working full-time, coming out, losing a job, spending six months living in the woods, navigating a career transition from non-profit to software, becoming a parent after a miscarrying. I've succeeded, I've failed, I've learned a ton. But this leap felt different. I didn't have a perfect plan or a six-month financial cushion; I just had a deep conviction that it was time to bet on myself.

Two years later, as I reflect on this incredible journey, I want to share four post-it notes I wrote to myself that helped me stay grounded, focused, and determined during the most challenging moments. They aren't just scraps of paper; they're snapshots of what guided me through fear, uncertainty, and growth as I navigated this leap into the unknown.

Post-it #1: "Right now, nothing is working because it's all new! Take your best shot"

This was advice from Scott Cole, a former C-level executive with whom I had the privilege of working. It came when I was just starting out—a time when nothing seemed to click, and doubt was an unwelcome but constant companion. Scott told me over coffee that going from 0 to 1 was the hardest thing I'd ever do. Nothing was working yet because everything was new, untested, and unfamiliar.

But instead of retreating, I leaned in. I believed in what I was building and took my best shot. Scott's advice wasn't just encouragement; it was a challenge to keep going, experiment, fail, and learn. Two years later, this post-it reminds me to embrace the discomfort of every new beginning with gusto.

Post-it #2: "We are economically fine through Feb 1"

When I gave my notice, it was the week of December 10, 2022. I had just turned 41 and was juggling coaching clients alongside a full-time job that no longer aligned with me. I didn't have the ideal six-month financial runway; I had three months. But deep down, I knew it was time to leap—finances be damned.

I stood on the edge of my decision, feeling like Indiana Jones in the leap of faith scene in 'Last Crusade'. I jumped into what felt like nothingness, hoping I wouldn't fall flat but knowing that if I did, I would find a way to pick myself up and keep going. That's the thing about leaps of faith; in taking them, you have to accept the reality that you might fail; in fact, the chances are high that you will fail, and still, you jump! But the other thing about real-life leaps of faith and stepping into the unknown is that they aren't one-time leaps. True leaps of faith are a series of terrifying steps you must find the fortitude to keep going through. By the time Feb 1 arrived, I had built more runway. I crossed out "Feb" and replaced it with "Aug." I kept going, building, and pushing forward.

August came, I didn't replace the date. Instead, I framed that post-it note as a reminder of what it took to get here. Framed, it serves as a reminder: I'm not just fine—I'm thriving. It reminds me to celebrate how far I've come and to trust that I'll keep building what's needed to succeed.

Post-it #3: "Take a break. You will feel better"

This post-it was a coaching prompt I gave myself while I was still working in a software company. I wrote it during a period when my unhappiness at work was palpable, and my instinct was to keep pushing through, ignoring the toll it was taking on my sanity and happiness and, thus, my family.

I keep this note visible as a reminder that even when you're following your dreams, it's easy to fall into the trap of tunnel vision. Building a business demands energy, creativity, and resilience, but none of that is sustainable without rest. Sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is step away. Take a walk. Breathe. Clear your head. Every time I've heeded this post-it, I've returned not just feeling better but thinking better.

Post-it #4 "Wonder"

In my final years in software, I had lost my sense of awe and wonder. And with it, I lost curiosity—the lifeblood of empathy, creativity, and problem-solving. Burnout had left me rigid and worn down, unable to see possibilities beyond the immediate challenges.
"Wonder" is the simplest post-it of the four, yet it's arguably the most profound. It's a daily prompt to check in with myself: Am I staying curious? Am I open to new ideas? Am I seeing the bigger picture? Wonder is what fuels me as a coach, helping others navigate challenges and find clarity. It's also what keeps me grounded, reminding me that the world is full of possibilities—if I remain open to them.

Looking Back and Moving Forward

These four post-it notes aren't just reminders of where I've been; they're signposts guiding where I'm going. They represent the courage it takes to start, the persistence required to keep going, the wisdom to rest, and the curiosity to stay inspired.
Starting my own coaching and consulting business was one of the hardest things I've ever done, but it's also been one of the most rewarding. If you're considering a leap of your own, maybe these lessons will resonate. Keep going. Build your runway, even if it's piece by piece. Remember to take breaks. And above all, never lose your sense of wonder.

Are you standing on the edge of your own leap of faith and can't take the jump?
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