The Happy and Prosperous Blog

As you will understand from the title, this is part 4 (and the final part) of a series of posts describing my escape from the corporate cubicle. Please read the first three parts if you would like the full story. Here are the links to the earlier episodes of this drama !

• Part 1
• Part 2
• Part 3

My Dream Interpretation

That was it - that was what I remembered of my dream. When I woke up I thought it was odd that I had remembered this dream but I really didn’t think much about it. It was only the following day that I suddenly realised what it was all about - and it hit me with some force !

Photo by DanieVDM

When I relate my interpretation now, it seems a bit weak and not really very clear or obvious, but at the time, it felt like a revelation !

The 3 people who were killed represented the 3 day week arrangement that I wanted at work. That arrangement had to be killed off. That was the main point. The other aspects of things slipping and being unsafe in the current situation were not as strong. But if I wanted to build something substantial and solid in my life, the 3 day week needed to go. The job at the bank needed to go. It was time for me to break out on my own.

Going It Alone

I spoke to Linda, my manager, and told her I was thinking of leaving. She was great and said that if I wanted to talk it through with her, without any pressure, she would be willing to do that. We did have a talk but by then I had become clear in my own mind that I was going to leave. I handed my resignation in and left a month later. That was May 2005.

I had no business plan, no other sources of finance and I felt Fantastic. I KNEW I was doing the right thing. After 17 years in the corporate world I was on my own, responsible for myself, free of the politics of corporate life and having to do things I didn’t agree with. I felt like I was coming into my integrity. I felt like I was growing up. I felt free.

I do not have any regrets about leaving at all. I miss some of the social side of work and meeting lots of new people. However, my life is so much richer now. I may not be earning as much money now as I was then but, I tell you, the life I have now is so much better, so much more me and allows me the freedom to live the way I want to without feeling chained to that cubicle and all it represented.

Observations From My Experience

Here are a few thoughts about what I learned from this experience.

• For me, dreams are important. I need to pay attention to them. Trying to interpret them with my mind is not the way to go; better to just keep them in mind and allow the meaning to come.
• Having a realisation from the dream, I had to do something about it. If I had not done so, I believe I would have become increasingly unhappy and probably my health would have suffered.
• Acting quickly following that realisation was important for me too. There were arguments in favour of staying longer at work for share options etc. But rapid action was critical too.
• People thought I was mad to leave a job I had had for 17 years. I got quite a lot of negative comments. I also got a lot of positive feedback too. The lesson for me was not to be brought down by that negativity. I believed I was doing the right thing. If you have that belief, do not be swayed by negativity. There are drains and there are radiators. Stick with the radiators.
• As a result of my decision, I lost 2 close friends who were opposed to my decision to leave the bank and could not understand or appreciate what I was doing. Sad, but true.

I’m not suggesting that you should do what I did ! The time was right for me to leave that job. I am grateful that I had the courage to do so.

I’d be very interested to hear from you if you have had a similar experience or if you have any thoughts about my dream or any other aspect of this story.

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