One magic word

Dani had been through a tough time. Her previous employer had really undermined her confidence until Dani began to feel sick when she went to work, and eventually fell ill. She had to take a long period off without pay and then lost her job.

When I first met her, Dani told me that she knew she had been going in the wrong direction for quite a while.

‘I took my first job after college because it was offered to me, without thinking too much about it. And my mother thought it was perfect for me. So then I just carried on from there’ Dani admitted. ‘Now I don’t know how to begin again.’

She actually began by starting to use the Wonderful Workbook. It was week one, session one, and she was out of work, out of pocket and out of ideas.

What happened next…

A few weeks later and things were already changing.

Dani had completed the first two sessions of the workbook and was learning how to focus on what she really loved in her life – nothing to do with what she’d done in her previous career.

She decided that she didn’t like working indoors. In fact, she loved animals, the earth, natural living and caring for creatures. In fact, she was living next door to a farm and helped out occasionally with sheep.  But she still had no job.

Then, out of the blue she had a call from a recruitment agent who was offering her an admin role she’d applied for a long while back. It was with a highly reputable organisation, well paid and very secure.

The job was suddenly available due to another person’s illness and they wanted her to start on Monday. This was on Friday.

Dani was in serious meltdown. She knew that she didn’t really want this job. But she was in need of money, and it was a sensible decision.

So she spoke to her partner. He said, ‘Why not take it for now? It can’t harm.’

Then she called her mother. Her mother was highly enthusiastic for her.  ‘This sounds like the perfect way back to work for you, darling. Go for it, you’ll be great!’

Saturday came and Dani began to feel sick.

That evening her neighbour dropped by unexpectedly. He was very hesitant, but he’d heard that a friend not too far away needed part time help on his dairy farm and was desperately looking for help.

‘I don’t know why, but I thought of you, Dani. I mentioned you to him and he’s keen to talk with you, if you’re interested. Tomorrow.’

Now Dani was in even greater meltdown. She’d never worked with cows, didn’t know this farmer and had no paid experience as an animal carer at all. And she was starting a new job in admin on Monday.

The following morning, Sunday morning, she had a friendly phone chat that lasted about half an hour with the neighbour’s friend. She told him about herself, how she loved animals and working outside, and her unpaid help with the sheep. She was very clear that she wasn’t trained and she had no experience with cows.

‘Why don’t you come along and meet us?’ asked the farmer.

‘Ok, when?’ Dani replied, her heart in her mouth.

Dani’s Dilemma…

‘How about tomorrow afternoon?’

So now, she had to decide. Was she going to take the admin job the following day? Or was she going to take a huge chance, a complete risk and jump into the unknown?

The following morning, Dani made a very difficult phone call.

That afternoon, she went along to meet the farmer and his cows.

Since then, she’s learned how to drive a tractor that is far taller than she is. She’s being trained to care for a large herd of cows on a family run farm that treats the animals with respect and kindness. The other workers are really encouraging and happy to have her there. She’s having a ball.

Now Dani has nearly finished her workbook. It seems a bit redundant, but she’s using it to plan and expand her future work, with a vision for a business with animals she has that really excites her. She’s fully supported by her partner, who’s as surprised and pleased as she is about how her life and work has changed.

And the one magic word?

It’s hidden within the last paragraph.

It was what Dani decided on that morning when she bravely called to say she was very sorry, but she would not be taking the admin job.

On that day, she was choosing not to go back, to retreat or stay safe. Rather, she was choosing to EXPAND.

Now her horizons are far, far wider. When you see her face, it’s lit up as she talks about her ‘girls’ – who are in fact the cows she herds, milks and looks after. And she’s got plans that make her smile, rather than make her feel sick.

Of course, you may not be thinking that your own future work will be perched on a tractor.

But whatever you choose, choose it because you feel it will

EXPAND your life

to EXPAND the happiness in your daily waking hours

and most of all

because it will EXPAND your heart.