Happy Luau

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Sacred Sunday: Right Work


Today I wanted to share my news with you. As many of you may have already guessed, it's related to my job.

I've previously written about the difficulties I had working in an office setting here, and a bit here as well. A few more things happened at the office. One was that I was doing selling, which I dislike. When I finally would have an actual patient to work with, I would try to convince her to buy my products. This involved a lot of persuasion and overcoming objections and such.

I can do this, but I do not enjoy it.

I can talk people into things, even things that are very good for them (in my opinion), but it seems to me to be a backwards way of doing relationship marketing. I wrote about developing relationships with the patients, and allowing the business activities to follow where indicated, but in that office setting only just so much of that could take place. Lately I'd been doing groups of about five women at a time, and with that many people, relationships take a bit longer to form. I was just doing a lot of selling.

The nature of my business is so very different. The products I promote are for people who value their health, and who are interested in aging in a certain way---consciously, as healthfully as possible, using as many natural ways as possible. If you're not there---if you're not interested in your health, if you don't particularly care how you age, and you don't want to invest any money in your health---then you're not a candidate for these products, really. If you want the allopathic medical system and health insurance to be your sole method of taking care of yourself, then good for you---but you won't want to buy my products. And that's fine with me! Not everyone is interested in health and nutrition. Many people want to let their physicians prescribe drugs for their chronic health conditions, which they see as inevitable and which they feel powerless to affect. I would rather accept these belief systems, which are very strong, and look for people who are already wellness-oriented and who are looking for solutions. I don't want to change people's belief systems or interfere with their readiness for anything on the particular path that they are on.

This makes traditional selling problematic. It violates some of my basic values, which are just accepting people where they are, and what they want for their lives. Rather than sell, I'd like to simply sort. Find the folks who are looking for what I have. No arm twisting involved. No making them wrong for not being into wellness right now. No telling them what they need. It just feels right to me.




So, bit by bit, I backed out of the job I had. This past week I only went in for group patient visits, and then decided even just that wasn't working for me. I was also making pitiful money, not even enough to cover my costs. I felt as though I was letting my physician friend down, but I knew it was the right thing for me to do. So I quit on Friday.

I love relationship marketing and I really love my products, but I want to be working in a way that is congruent with my values. I also want to balance my work with writing, art, friendships, and other self-care activities---these things make me feel whole---and picking just work alone while excluding the rest made me feel like someone I didn't know. Prioritizing these values and insisting on honoring them was a "Be Brave" type activity for me because I knew that backing out of this opportunity would be hard on various levels. I could be tempted (and was at first) to view it as "failure". Instead I choose to view it as success, because I learned so much about what integrity is for me in this context, and how to stand up for it. Some people did not understand, and I think never will, but that's okay with me.

So that's why I registered for Suzi Blu's class, too, and Wreck This Journal. And that's why I kept up on reading your blogs and blogging here. Even though I wore myself out. I couldn't, just couldn't---COULDN'T---not do these things. I felt like I was losing myself and becoming a saleswoman I didn't know or want to be. There is nothing at all wrong with being a saleswoman. It's just that I am not her.

So, that's my big news. I feel like I got my life back (and am incredibly grateful for it), and now want to revision what my business will be like in this new context. It is scary good. I have lots of disapproval from some important people in my life. And I feel very happy. Like myself. Like I believe in myself, too.



~Photos by LoveHubbie Mark

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

If you didn't enjoy it and were barely covering your costs, changing your mind seems like a no-brainer. But gosh, it sure can be hard to tell others "I'm changing my mind." But it is our absolute right to try something, see if it resonates, and not do it anymore if it doesn't make us happy. Good for you! I am really glad you can be happy in spite of others disapproval.

Olivia said...

Thank you Kelly. Yes, indeed. I am so happy that I really don't care who thinks I should be back there, or that I won't ultimately be successful because I turn down such great opportunities, etc. I am at peace about it and feel like I have a new appreciation for everything, really. It was a wake-up call! Love and blessings, O

patti said...

You knew pretty much immediately that you were not going to be happy. Your intuition was spot on. Kudos to you for sticking it out to make sure you were right about your feelings.

Something else will come together for you that will be a better fit. The important thing is that you keep on trying to find it.

Enjoy your journal wrecking (!) and the Suziblu art class will be a blast for sure!

Olivia said...

Yes, you're right Patti, I knew from the first day I started that there were problems. I now need to create what I need, to reenvision what to do with my business. And enjoy the classes, yes, indeed! I am glad you're enjoying watching us wreck, too :) xo, O

Unknown said...

BRAVO! YES!
I applaud your authenticity in this situation. You have made decisions based on what you know about yourself rather than trying to go against the grain of who you are for the sake of people pleasing and not wanting to rock the boat. Good for you. I'm excited and proud of you!

NicciN said...

Good for you Olivia. So proud of you for listening to your inner wisdom.

Kate Robertson said...

Olivia,

It takes courage to try something and then leave. You have always been courageous to me. You will find your niche and it will feel good and it will make you happy. Stick to your intuition it won't serve you wrong. I believe in you too!

Kate

Olivia said...

Dear Kristine, Nicci, and Kate,

Thank you so much for your encouragement! You gals are terrific and it helps me to have your support here. Thanks again, Love,

O

Kim Mailhot said...

You have been so wise to listen to the signs every step of the way - to see them through and give things a try to see if they fit. Brava to you for listening to the most important voice - your soul's.
Blessings !

Olivia said...

Thank you for your support, Kim. It is sometimes hard to listen to the soul and I appreciate your acknowledgement so much. Love, O

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Olivia! I hope I can be so brave one day!!

thailandchani said...

First of all, you're welcome :)

Secondly, I think this is the only decision you could have made. Being in a setting like that will only kill off your spirit. I'm so glad you recognized that and got out!



~*

couragetocreatewriteandlove said...

Soul hugs Oli!

Cloudia said...

Very Best Aloha Wishes to you on your new day!

Glad we met. thanks for coming to the Kam Day parade via my hawaii blog. I publish pics of your favorite isle every day except today we're having a June 16th party and you're all invited ;-)

What you say about sorting/assisting vs selling is right on! You will be extremely valuable and successful in the right place!

Cloudia said...

You are sweet!
Aloha-
;-)

Olivia said...

Kelley, thank you, but I don't think you're not brave. We can all be braver than we are, that's for sure :)

Yay, Chani. Yes, it was doing that. I am glad I have your support!

Thank you, Carmen xo

And thank you Cloudia as well.

I appreciate all of your support and comments! Blessings and love,

O

Inner-Creative-Voice said...

Yes! I will connnect here with you,too:) This post resonates with me...I will re-read it and comment again.

Thanks for stopping by my site.

Now...let's see what your journal is looking like;)

Inner-Creative-Voice said...

Re-read your post. I can totally relate!

Art, creativity, heathly life-style, intuition...how to fit it all together?

Seems like you are answering your questions as you wrote this post. What are your thoughts now?
Susan

Olivia said...

Hi, Susan, I'm still not sure. It's going to take me some time...I appreciate your coming by the happyluau and it has been nice connecting with you on Twitter as well. I haven't answered your question about my products from Twitter yet either. I'm behind, as you can see, getting ready for my company's 10th Annversary convention in a couple of days.

Aloha, and blessings, Olivia

Leah said...

Good for you, Olivia, for going with your heart and doing what was best for you! *much love!*

Olivia said...

Thanks so much, Leah. I wish you much love as well! Peace, O