The Backup Plan
Several years ago, back in 2016, my former company was offering buyouts. And I was thinking mighty hard about taking one. I eventually didn’t take one, but for me, the writing was on the wall. I needed a backup plan, because the industry I was in started to feel wobbly.
I’ve mentioned before that my life was changed by a coach. I went from overweight and sedentary to a better weight and more active. The notion of changing a life by sitting and talking with someone, and supporting them on their path, really intrigued me. That field, for a journalist, felt a little crunchy. But I got results, so there had to be something to it, right?
Jump back to that buyout offering. I started looking for a coaching school where I could complete the course online, without having to be in a classroom. My days were long enough, with commuting and work. Finding the right school (Health Coach Institute!), I did the coursework after work, jumped on camera with accountability partners, and worked with practice clients. Eight months later, I earned that health coach certification.
Backup plan in hand, I proceeded to then sit on it, for years. I didn’t do anything with it--no paid clients to speak off. I did, however, keep my skills sharp. I listened in on free events, taking notes and screenshots of decks. I reviewed my coaching materials for my program. I stayed ready.
I also reached out to some folks who were coaching, to see where their experience was like, and to gain some inspiration from their journeys. Those folks, and just the act of reaching out, proved to be invaluable.
So when the day came, and the ax fell, and my mind was spinning. Then, I remembered—I have a coaching hat. Time to put it on. I gave myself a couple of days to decompress (admittedly, not enough time), then I got to work writing my next chapter.
I want to be very clear about this—having a backup plan is not a betrayal of your current work, or your current calling. It’s protecting yourself against economic realities. It gives you room and space to be creative and curious: in what other ways can I use my calling? How can I see my calling in another way? Is there another calling for me?
What can you do for yourself, right now?
—Be prepared—Keep your resume fresh, and an eye on your bank account. Don’t be caught flat-footed.
—Network—It’s not getting in front of a room full of people, it’s 1-to-1 conversations with people you know, admire, and even with total strangers. The ideas you get may be a catalyst.
—Volunteer. It’s a great way to explore your calling, or another avenue in your work.
My journey from weighing a buyout in 2016 to embracing a backup plan as a coach has been transformative, enlightening, and kind of wild. Having that alternate route was a pragmatic response to economic uncertainties. The path before me is clear, but won’t be easy to navigate. I don’t have to do it alone. And neither do you.
I’m Richard Taliaferro, a career and health coach helping people gain clarity on their career and health paths. Interested in how I can help you? I invite you to click on the link, and let’s talk about how I can support you.