Change can be hard – hard to accept and even harder to leap willingly into. But sometimes, change is exactly what you need to propel yourself into the next phase of life. 

When I first moved to Washington, D.C. – fresh faced, PR degree in hand, and ready to take on a new and exciting city – I found myself initially drawn to the world of technology. Startup culture was hot and seemed like an intriguing place to kickstart my career in the nation’s capital. Though admittedly, it was never my first choice, I thought, why not give it a go and see what happens?

I spent the early portion of my PR career working my way up the ranks at a firm that focused solely on technology, specifically as part of the big data team. I hustled –– I worked hard, stayed late, and tried everything in my power to find passion for what I was spending 40 plus hours focusing on each week. But despite my best efforts, my heart seemed to lie far, far away from the technology space I was creating a name for myself in.

I had dreamt of a much different career path for myself, but felt stuck in the day-to-day routine I had become so used to. And I didn’t like how stagnant I felt – dreading driving to work each morning, feeling so dispassionate about the clients I was supposed to be hyping up to the press. Thus, the need for change swept me up like a tidal wave – and I couldn’t wait for the next best thing to roll around.

I gave my two week’s notice, with no backup plan – easily one of the most terrifying decisions I have ever made, but one that completely changed my life – and during my time between jobs, I learned a lot of incredibly important lessons.

Passion is a key ingredient to success. In my previous role, it felt like no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t foresee that job translating into a career. I had no passion for the clientele, the topics of discussion, or the work I was putting so much time and energy behind. My current position with Eleven Eleven is a complete 180 –– the clients I work with inspire me everyday. The passion I have for what I do instills a hustle and grind in me, and makes me genuinely excited about my job. And knowing that I have a passion for my field makes my future in the profession all the more clear.

Do it –– step outside of your comfort zone. During my stint of soul searching, I took advantage of my lack of a full time job to dabble in things I might not have had the confidence to do previously. I became a certified Xtend Barre instructor – something that a year prior would have scared the living daylights out of me. I also accepted a six month contract position in corporate event planning, a role I had very little knowledge of or experience in. This not only bolstered my resume and introduced me to some wonderful people, it opened me up to a whole new world and potential career path I hadn’t considered in the past.

Following your heart isn’t just the stuff of fairytales. I was raised on Disney movies, where dreaming big and believing anything was possible were critical elements to any good storyline. But when it came to real life, bills had to be paid and following my heart seemed like a luxury I just couldn’t afford. Not true. By making the bold decision to follow my bliss, I not only found a niche that I really feel like I belong in, I have been given the opportunity to make a career out of it, and to be not only challenged, but excited by it every single day.

That being said, the biggest piece of advice I can give to anyone feeling stuck – in their career, or in any other facet of life – is to take the leap. Yes –– it’s scary, and there’s a lot of uncertainty surrounding a decision that big. But if you work hard and go with where your passions lie, the future could turn out to be brighter than you ever imagined.