Something’s Gotta Change-Me!
May

This is a guest submission by Christine from PictureThisPittsburgh
The Answer To A Prayer
I’d followed the same path for 20 years and I was in the same position as where I started. Oh, I had a better title and more money, but I was still trying to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up.
I was living the definition of insanity … doing the same thing over and over again hoping for a different result.
I spent the last eight years as a marketing manager for a worldwide software company, which was a good job by most people’s standards. It paid well, there were nice people, and the benefits were good. On the surface, I should have been very happy.
On the inside, it was killing me.
I couldn’t have cared less about generating sales leads. Any creative assignments I had were slowly stripped away from my position. The company’s business practices were questionable. It became a very toxic and painful environment.
The other day I revisited some writing I’d done back then. I think this illustrates my point:
Here I sit. At work in an oppressive cubicle environment. Staring at the gray fabric wall in front of me that resembles all the cold, starkness of a less than sterile 1950′s mental hospital. My brain hurts.
Is the monotony and boredom of the daily grind slowly eating away at it like a failed lobotomy? Now, more than ever, I need to make my escape to a world that’s much more stimulating to the senses. There’s no time to waste. If something doesn’t change soon, I may never get out.
I wrote that on August 10, 2010, and within 10 weeks I received notice from my employer that they’d decided to relocate my job to the West Coast. With no desire to relocate from my hometown of Pittsburgh, I gladly accepted the severance package knowing this was the answer to a prayer.
A History Lesson
For as long as I can remember, I’ve done what my parents taught me to do. “Get good grades. Go to college. Get a job. Support yourself.” Translation: Work hard to learn what other people think is important and find any job that will provide a source of revenue so you can become a productive member of society.
Notice there’s no mention of discovering your passion, finding enjoyment in your work or being fulfilled. I can’t blame them. Mom and Dad are from the Depression era.
Back then, if you had a job, you were darn happy to have it. Employment was a means to put food on the table, and the only enjoyment was knowing you wouldn’t go to bed hungry that night.
So like a good girl, I found my first job, completely unaware of the path on which I was starting. And then I found the next job, and the next, and the next. I’ve held a total of eight corporate jobs in 20 years.
When I found myself getting bored at work, I sought out the next opportunity. Some of them were glamorous and some not so much, but they all had at least one thing in common.
Eventually they all left me feeling incomplete and unfulfilled.
Miserable working for that software company, I searched for the next job with no results. I couldn’t understand why I couldn’t find it. I’d never had such trouble landing a new position.
Was it the economy? Did the job hunt change that much? Was I too discriminating? What was I doing wrong?
The Revelation
Finally, by the spring of 2010, I’d had enough. It was time to get serious and figure this out. So I set out on a journey of self-discovery.
- I enlisted the help of a career coach. Neal is a gentle, friendly man with an honest desire to help others. His obvious compassion for people makes it easy to trust him, which is very important when opening your soul to an almost stranger. From Neal I learned exercises to help manage my stress. And I began to think differently. He helped me to look outside what I thought I knew and to be open to the possibilities.
- I consulted an intuitive counselor. Forrest could be one of the most fascinating people I’ve ever met. He has the laid back personality of a California surfer, but his eyes look deep into my soul. He seems to automatically know me on a deeper level than most people can comprehend. Forrest opened my eyes to how past events have shaped my current life.
- I started keeping a journal. Writing is a powerful tool for self discovery. While I consciously typed the words into the Word document, the ideas seemed to flow magically from my fingertips. Taking the time to write the thoughts “on paper” made me focus. I found I was complaining less and seeking a solution more.
- I began meditating. It’s very interesting what enters my mind when I take the time to be silent. So many times I cried out for help and felt like I received no answer. Meditating opens the soul to receive the guidance it so desperately wants. To hear the answer we have to quit talking.
It wasn’t long before all of these elements combined and led to one very amazing eureka moment for me. What I discovered was this: I couldn’t find the next job because I didn’t want the next job! I didn’t want just any job.
My soul was screaming to be set free and that wasn’t going to happen at the same old corporate cubicle job I’d held numerous times before.
Springing To A New Beginning
Fast forwarding to where I left off, in December 2010 I worked my last day for that software company. I spent the month of December doing nothing. Well, almost nothing.
I allowed myself the luxury of sleeping in and staying up late. I prepared to celebrate the holidays. I enjoyed the company of friends and family.
All of this helped my body, mind and spirit to recover from the stress it had known for so long.
With my newly acquired freedom I spent time reflecting on my strengths, talents and interests and established Picture This! Pittsburgh, a company that preserves precious moments of life by creating custom digital video scrapbooks.
This business perfectly expresses my zest for life, my commitment to serving the needs of others and my love for Pittsburgh and its people.
Be advised though, this isn’t the end of the road. I still have battles to fight. It’s hard to get a new business off the ground. I’m very thankful I have my severance package to help make ends meet.
Mom and Dad give me a skeptical look when I talk about my new adventure, unintentionally making me feel like I’m not living up to their hopes for me. But it’s springtime and the air is filled with new beginnings.
I can tell you that, where my career is concerned, I’m happier than I’ve been in a very long time.
Christine Span defines herself as a renaissance woman. Always seeking to experience new things, she has a passion for “seeing what she can get into”.
She is a passionate believer in serving the community and is changing the world from her own back yard. She has volunteered for the American Red Cross for five years and recently began supporting military families as the Family Readiness Group leader for a U.S. Army Reserves unit.
You can find her at PictureThisPittsburgh and on Facebook.

Tariqnshaheera
Hi Christine,
I like reading your story and experiences in this post. It’s such an inspiring story to me and my girlfriend. We both are jobless. We just have enough for our food and other basic bills. However, we started to enjoy our lives more compared to our lives being a slave to our bosses. 🙂
I totally agree with you when you said with your new freedom you could reflect yourself more and could enjoy spending time with our loved ones. And also in our situation, we are the first person that our family members will look for when they need someone to do their errands, be the babysitter to their lovely kids, and help them with their other personal & professional responsibilities. :))
We are proud to be needed and be the reliable person to our loved ones and closed friends, perhaps to the other people we know and will know.
We feel so proud of you to have the courage to get what you really want and need in your life. We pray for you to be blessed by God and be granted happiness for the whole of your life.
Cheers!
Tariq & Shaheera
Christine
Tariq and Shaheera! Thank you for your kind words! It’s a shame that we so often get caught up in what we think the world expects of us instead of following our own hearts. I’m happy you are able to find good and peace in your lives and I know God will provide everything that you need in this world. I have many examples of that in my own life and that brings me comfort and peace in difficult times. Thank you for your prayers and know that you both are in mine as well.
Harriet`
Hi there Christine, nice to see you guesting on this blog!
This post is really inspirational, its brilliant! Its always good to read other peoples experiences! Its great that you found your freedom eventually, well done you!
Christine
Thanks Harriet! Still working on the freedom … well the financial part. It’s a tough haul, but certainly worth it!
David
This makes me want to go visit Pittsburgh!
My story is so similar to yours, except I am still in the early stages. I was also brought up in a “Get good grades, get a good job, save for retirment” household which had a huge affect on my career path decisions. I’ve also began meditating which has been a great daily practice.
All of the guest writers on this site are great, but I’m glad to see a post written by someone that has built a business that is about something other than blogging.
Christine
Thanks David! Pittsburgh is a great city! Drop me a note if you ever find your way here!
It’s amazing how we fall into a belief system and don’t even realize it. I consider it a blessing to be able to recognize it. Changing it isn’t easy, but in my heart I know it’s necessary, so the effort is worth the pain!
Riley Harrison
Hello Christine,
I teach a class: HOW TO LEAVE THE JOB YOU HATE AND FIND THE LIFE YOU LOVE. It too late to help you, you’ve already found your way. Congratulations and good luck in the future.
Riley
Christine
Thanks Riley! Good luck to you! Glad to know you’re out there helping people escape.
Eugene
Let me begin by saying that I am from Cleveland. So as much as I hate the Steelers, I love the city of Pittsburgh 🙂
Your story hits close to home. Although I did not spend 20 years in corporate America – I only spent a bit about 2.5 – I realized it wasn’t for me.
It’s funny that I was so good at the whole “get good grades” thing and ended up hating where it led me.
This is my first week of unemployment. So far so good. We’ll see where it goes!
I wish you the best of luck in your new adventure!
Christine
Ha! I hate the Browns, but I think Cleveland is a cool place! Love the House of Blues!
Lucky you for figuring it out so soon! Same CEO I mentioned above commented to me that I was lucky to make my own discovery so soon! As opposed to being in my sixties and realizing too late to make any changes.
It’s a scary time to be unemployed, but it’s very exciting as you have no choice but to find your way. It is an adventure! Good luck with yours!
Anthony
OK, sorry to get all “businessey”, but I gotta say:
First, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the name, “Picture This! Pittsburgh”. It’s soooo catchy.
Second, this is a huge revolution a lot “freelancers and opportunity seekers” are missing out on. Delivering professional multimedia to small / medium business owners and individuals. My friend and his dad have created an aweseom business based around high school sports photos / videos.
Third, you could help other Entrepreneurs by actually packaging this whole business idea up and selling (franchise?).
Again, sorry for getting all “business” on ya! But this is TOO cool. Massive congrats!
Christine
Thanks for the encouragement Anthony! I’m actually working on a plan to target small business owners with videos produced for their own websites. I think a lot of people would rather watch a 1-3 minute video than reading all the content on the website. And isn’t it always better when you hear the person talk passionately about what they do? The franchise offering could be down the road. I’ve got more work to do first!
Gwen
Hey there lady! What a great post. I know how much you struggled to find your freedom, and I’m so proud of you for all that you’ve accomplished (so far!). “Picture This! Pittsburgh” is such an innovative idea and I KNOW you will succeed — and you’ll have fun along the way.
You are just getting started my friend. I’m excited to watch your new life unfold!
Christine
Gwen, you’re quite a blessing to me! For all the crap I put up with at that company, getting to know you has made it all worth it! At least I have something positive to remember about that time! Thank you for the encouragement, the advice and a compassionate ear! And I know you’ll be quite successful and much happier in your own adventure!
Justin | Mazzastick
Christine,
It’s great to read that you decided to work on your own terms. Many people are suffering miserably in their jobs but do nothing about it.
Most jobs are confining, boring, monotonous, and mainly serves the higher ups in the company.
I spent 11 years in retail hell and would never do it again.
Christine
Hi Brad,
I had an interesting conversation with a corporate CEO today. He told me that he and his wife taught their first two children to work hard and get good grades and they both hate school and learning because they think it’s “work”. With their third child, they placed less emphasis on achieving good grades and the child comes home every night excited to talk about what he learned in school that day. I think it’s interesting that he was able to recognize the impact his beliefs had on his children and was able to make a change for the last one. I’ll be curious to see how they forge their careers.
Christine
Hi Justin,
It’s a hard thing for a lot of people to do. But I refuse to be paralyzed by fear. I’ll be disappointed if this business doesn’t take off, but the experience itself is so meaningful! I’m enjoying the adventure and the chance to spread my wings. I like your comment about most jobs serving the higher ups. That was truly the case in my last position. So glad I’m out of that mess!
Marco Lee
Wow Christine, this was a nice read! We are definitely not designed to work on cubicles. It was also nice for you to just take the plunge, get out of the job and take the luxuries you’ve never entitled yourself for!
I hope you do more great and also inspire other people to break out and live in their own terms and own willingness. 🙂