You're fired, peach hater!
Before you dive into this issue (and with a header like that, how could I blame you?), I need your help to make this newsletter better. If you haven’t already, would you please take a short (seriously, it’s only 10 questions) survey? Thanks in advance!
Last week, I wrote about the sometimes painful process of being an ahem, “acquired taste.”
(Read: not beloved by all.)
Many of you kind people also wrote to me with words of encouragement, sharing your perspectives on the matter. I even received the sweetest e-pep talk from an Illuminate Me tribe member who shared this quote with me:
Boy, ain’t that the truth!
Anyone who’s ever been somewhere they weren’t appreciated knows what I’m talking about.
Though it seems like a million years and a few career lifetimes ago now, I was once in one of those professional situations.
Sadly, I stayed far too long. And it got ugly.
Despite consistent year-over-year results, building a tightly knit, kickass team and culture, and transforming a once struggling organization on the brink of disaster into a well-respected and financially secure company, I was a “peach.”
And someone didn’t like peaches.
According to the paperwork drawn up by both our lawyers, I wasn’t fired, and I didn’t resign, but we definitely parted ways. Immediately. As in, let’s give Amy two minutes to tell her dumbfounded staff that today is her last day (with no other explanation), then watch her pack up a decade’s worth of industry leadership awards, photos, and office memorabilia into a bank box and escort her to her car. Good times.
Is this a fun memory to recall? Not really, until I remember how I felt driving home. When I got to a red light, I exhaled and said, “I’m free.”
A wave of relief washed over me, and I wondered why I hadn’t left sooner. I should have “fired” the peach hater years ago!
Remember, you have the power to walk away from any situation where you’re not putting your talents to their highest and best use or where you’re ignored, merely tolerated, or not appreciated.
Believe in yourself, trust your gut, and take action to create the life and career you want.*
And do it all by being the ripest, juiciest peach you can be. 🍑
I know someone else who fired her peach hater years ago and never looked back: Heather Monahan.
Her excellent new book, Overcome Your Villains: Mastering Your Beliefs, Actions, and Knowledge to Conquer Any Adversity, is for anyone who’s struggling, stuck, feeling down, defeated, or unsure in their career.
And in my latest Forbes article, I share her powerful and proven three-step process to master your beliefs, actions, and knowledge — and fire any peach haters in your life.
Shine on, my juicy peaches!
Amy
P.S. Now that we’re inbox-exclusive, you might want to follow my musings across the interwebs on Forbes, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
P.P.S. When I’m not writing this newsletter or busy being the ripest, juiciest peach I can be, I’m a social media ghostwriter. (Yep, that’s a thing). I help founders, entrepreneurs, and CXOs craft their stories to communicate and connect better by magnifying their reach and impact. (Think personal branding and thought leadership.) Learn more here.
P.P.P.S. You, my coruscant friend, have great taste in newsletters—thanks for subscribing! You are subscribed, right? If not, let’s fix that; click the blue button.
While you’re at it, be sure to check out the archives to catch up on previous issues, and feel free to share this one with your friends. Or better yet, invite them to join our Illuminate Me tribe!
*And speaking of creating the life and career you want…
As I mentioned last week, I’ll soon be kicking off THE 12 DAYS OF ILLUMINATION, short doses of inspiration and easy-to-incorporate insights delivered to your inbox daily from Monday, December 20 through the end of the year. (This means that ✨Illuminate Me✨ will deviate from its regular weekly Sunday morning schedule.)
If you think your friends might enjoy this, please encourage them to join us by subscribing! And if you’re here just visiting, why not make it official by clicking the button below?
