My Ten-Year Quit-iversary

I quit. In June of 2014 I left my secure, full-time, corporate job to become an independent coach. It was a solid company with a lot of benefits, BUT it was changing too slowly for this agile enthusiast. 

Before that, I deliberated. There was a huge pile of reasons NOT to quit. After 18 years I assumed I would retire from there (with a nice retirement package). The financial fears I felt at the thought of being self-employed overwhelmed me at times. I also worried about my kids and the impact on them if I started traveling for work. Should I choose safety over satisfaction?

Before that, I believed. Through some internal teaching and coaching opportunities, I found new meaning in my work. I saw enough evidence that I could make a positive difference in people’s lives. I also had friends and coworkers who believed in me - often more than I believed in myself. Their support gave me the confidence to actually quit. 

Before that, I spoke. A mentor/friend needed a co-facilitator for a conference workshop and asked if I was interested. At the time I was terrified of public speaking! I said, “Yes.” anyway. I was practicing facing my fears and this seemed like the next challenge. I’m grateful I agreed because Matt taught me so much, AND it sparked an ongoing desire to speak and get involved at more conferences!

Before that, I attended. My first conference was Agile & Beyond 2011 in Detroit, MI. (It’s still a favorite, but I’m biased since I’m on the organizing committee.) I was introduced to a sometimes ornery, often idealistic, and always antagonistic group of people. This agile community provided encouragement, laughter and the sense of belonging that I really needed. 

Before that, I learned. There were better ways to deliver software. At first, I didn’t want to give up my requirements spreadsheets. The familiar brought me comfort. The skills I knew made me feel safer than the practices I was learning. But as Maya Angelou once said, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” So eventually I embraced stories on index cards and collaborative acceptance tests, among other things. 

Before anything, I said, “Yes”. I agreed to be on this newly formed “agile” team, one of the first at the company. I didn’t know what that meant at the time – neither did the company. :D We had a coach who challenged us and taught us and tolerated our resistance. Along the way were many chances to say, “yes” and I took as many as I could. 

And so I quit. With evidence of my abilities and with lots of encouragement from the community, I said, “Yes!” to a life of helping teams adopt an agile mindset and in the process, find joy in their work again. My choice to leave reflected my hopes and not my fears. I bring that hope to every client I work with. I want to inspire, teach and support them as they pave their own way. 

Do you have a quitting story?  

Who inspires you? What people or events encourage you?

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