I Suddenly Realized It Was Time for Change…
This personal story that dates back to 1977, when it hit me it was time to make a career change. That would ultimately lead to my JumpToConsulting ten years later.
Wistfully gazing out the airplane window as Waikiki receded below — where Mary and I had just spent the week basking in the tropical December sun and playing in the ocean — our conversation went something like this:
- ME – “Did you have a good time?”
- SHE- “Yes! It was a great time!”
- ME – “You now… there IS one thing that pisses me off about this trip.”
- SHE – “Like what???”
- ME – “That we were almost too “sensible” to do it. But I NOW look at life differently…”
A little background. At the time we were married nine years with two small children and a mortgage. Life was busy and extra money was sparse. Trips to Hawaii were not on our radar for the foreseeable future.
Then a business trip to Hawaii materialized. As an engineer for a defense contractor, I was tasked to install some equipment and brief the military brass (included a General and his staff) at Pearl Harbor on a new system.
As an aside, one of the reasons I got the invitation was my teaching experience gained while moonlighting. It gave me presentation skills that most of my technical colleagues lacked. That experience later proved highly useful as a consultant.
At first, I though we could not afford a trip for two of us. And who would take care of the kids? Although I knew Mary would love to join me (after all, it was December in Minnesota) I couldn’t see a way to pull if off.
That was until Mary prodded me with a slightly sarcastic comment at breakfast one day. Wives can (and should) do that 🙂
Mulling it over on the way to work, I decided to just buy her a ticket too. It was before airline penalties, so there was little risk. I had been secretly saving for a big Christmas gift anyway — what could be better? I was pretty sure she would like it.
That night I gave Mary her ticket to Hawaii. The catch was that we would fly out separately, and she would come a few days later when I was done with business. The kids? Grandma and and an Aunt/Uncle each took one of our boys. It all worked.
There was a small glitch with Mary’s trip. Arriving at the Minneapolis airport (no winter coat although below zero outside) she was informed her flight to Los Angeles was cancelled. What now? The agent grinned and said, “Don’t worry — we already rebooked you on a flight with a later connection to Honolulu.”
Those were the days before cellphones. When her original flight arrived, and she was not on it, there was a brief moment of panic. But a quick phone call home assured me she was on the next flight — about four hours later. No problem — I’ll just wait in the bar.
I must confess when she finally arrived after several Mai-Tais, I was feeling no pain. But neither was she, as the five hour flight from LA also provided complimentary Mai-Tais. Ahh – those were the days, right? It was good that we took a cab to the hotel.
We spend the next week on a second honeymoon, enjoying the beauty of Hawaii, the December weather, and some Mom & Dad time minus the kids.
It was also time for reflection — how do we want to live, and where do we go from here?
The whole experience was a life changer. Six months later I left the defense industry to start a new career as a Sales Engineer, which ultimately put me on the path of my JumpToConsulting.
My advice? If opportunity knocks on the door, ANSWER IT! Don’t be irrational, but don’t be too “sensible” either. As Helen Keller noted, “Life is a grand adventure.” Be sure to enjoy it –particularly if the adventure includes Mai-Tais and tropical breezes in December!
Aloha — Uncle Daryl
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