Why Quitting My Job Was the Best Career Move

What I learned since I left retail

Almost three years ago, I left my retail career.

I spent over twenty years in retail buildings leading teams. By the time I left, I could've done the job in my sleep. Which was part of the reason I left. I was bored. I didn't want to be a district manager, and I knew my body could not withstand another decade of what retail had to offer.

So, I said goodbye.

It was messy and tearful. It felt like my heart was being crushed, but I knew I had to go.

When I left, I was writing about cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. I had zero intentions of being a voice for the frontline, but life is weird.

This is what I've learned since I left.

Community is essential

One of my talents is community building. I enjoy working with a lot of different personalities and leading diverse teams. It's one of the things I miss most now that I'm a solo entrepreneur.

It's no surprise. I knew I would miss it, but I didn't foresee the loneliness that looms when it's just me and my computer day after day.

So, I continue to build communities online.

The connections I've made since I left leading teams in stores are a dream come true. Sometimes, I sit in on Zoom calls and I'm like, How did I get here?

I meet with trailblazers, experts, groundbreakers, and future builders.

Yeah, community online is a bit different, but it's essential. Be kind. Reciprocate. Be on time. Repeat. You'll find your people.

Step away

Getting a bit of distance from something is how we can see it more clearly. Look at it from another angle and begin to create the impact you want.

When I wrote my book, The Retail Leader's Field Guide, in 2023, it was the only time I could have written that book. I was one year out of stores, so I had just enough distance to see it clearly but also to remember the tiny details.

When I was neck-deep in running stores all day, every day, I could not have written that book. I could not see all that I could see after stepping away for a year.

Distance matters, and it will show you things you hadn't seen before.

Look at the long game

Short-sightedness and impatience are dream killers. Look at the current state of retail. To appease shareholders, payroll and wages are cut. Customer service suffers.

Brick-and-mortar stores tried to mimic online shopping. They offered everything to everyone. Shoppers are now over it. There's a better way to do this—let's find it. Let's create something new.

When I was leading teams in stores, I didn't have the mental capacity to think bigger. For my store, I did. For my life, I did. But not to change a whole industry. Now, I do.

Have the audacity to believe in change

"They'll never change." I hear that a lot.

Maybe not, but I'm still going to do the work.

I was on a call recently with a group of very smart leaders. As we chatted through what we wanted to teach people, someone said, "This is how you change the future. You dare to believe in a new way."

So, it may not happen in my lifetime.

But it doesn't mean that it never will or that good work and hope are ever a waste of time.

Yes, I'm an optimist.

I believe in the good in people. I believe we can make a positive impact on the people we reach every day.

I now know that community is essential—no matter where you find it. Stepping away from my career has taught me new things about the industry I love. Looking at the long game and having the audacity to believe in change will always serve you well.

See you in the future. Who's ready to change it with me?

Hey, Retail Leader - Looking for ways to save time?

• Want to learn how to write an excellent schedule? Go here.
• Want to know how to prepare for an executive visit? Go here.
• Want to write impactful reviews that matter? Go here.

Have you read The Retail Leader's Field Guide yet?

Not yet? I got you! Go here!

Hey, I’m Kit.

I’m a retail leader turned writer.

I help Retail Leaders in the field do their jobs more efficiently so they can reduce burnout & build teams that thrive.

Join my email list and snag my (free!) ebook right here. ⬇️

https://lnkd.in/gTxEjSdT