Expired Nos and Next Things

On pipe dreams and PhDs.

10 years ago, this doctoral program dream was a no. They had not said no to me. I said no. The no's were coming from inside me/my current life!

The EXPIRED NO list:

+ I could not make the mental leap from theatre professor to this person I'd be at the end of it.

+ I could not make the parenting leap, as I had Marco full time.

+ I could not make any sort of financial leap to pay for the program, let alone travel to Europe.

And then, I became a #storyworker and a coach.

I believe that #expirednos deserve to be examined, and, if they still have some heart tug, then there's something left to explore.

Here’s the new thing (other than that memoir I’m publishing next fall): I was accepted to that same doctoral program I longed to start over a decade ago. The program has expanded since I first looked at it, and seems to have grown parallel to how I have grown. This next step with the clarity in putting #allthethings I offer and have learned in one bucket feels right.

There are moments where I have, and my clients have put down a LEAP amount of money to open the door to the next thing. I am right there. In the moments where big change has happened for me, I made an investment in my future with money I didn’t want to part with. In those cases, for the most part, I grew and created opportunities far beyond the investment. In two particular cases (hiring my first coach and investing in coaching training and certification), I created a new professional life.

It's a LEAP, this whole adventure, but I've been practicing my mental and bravery muscles so, I'm nervous, but this me, with these wrinkles and this silver in my hair knows it's all a game. To do new things, you gotta (I gotta) do new things.

So, let’s celebrate an expired no that turned into a next thing.

In 5 years, I’ll be Dr. Shannon Ivey.

#LetsPlay #leap #thisisalmost50 #doctoralstudent

For clients and future clients: This program brings all the things together, so it’s not even a huge change in what I’ve been offering. Look out for some new ways to engage with my work, and even a low cost membership. More soon!