At 7:23 pm, with a quick slash of my pen, the deal was done. Approximately eight months after my partner brought up the idea of accelerating our previous agreement, I was no longer the owner of the firm I had founded over twenty years ago.
He brought me a gift of fine bourbon, which I cracked open. We toasted each other, culminating the months of discussions and frenzied desire to not delve into too much legal back and forth.
While I intend to continue at the firm (not “my firm”) to help clients and the other advisors, I am in a different place. My office will still be “my office” but it will not feel the same.
I arrived home at 8 that night feeling drained. My body, which had been holding the tension, anxiety, nervousness, fear, hope and about six other emotions, let go. I was pulled to my pillow as if by a giant electromagnet. The next day was akin to being hit by the flu (you know that feeling where your body is in revolt).
Two days past and I am feeling back to normal and focusing on recovery, growth and catching up on a few things that have been held in abeyance. I look forward with positive expectancy of the next chapter and I am grateful to you all for your stories, support and willingness to read, listen and share.
There is, for me, more to “unpack” from this experience. But I wanted to share this and assure those who have not crossed that threshold that, indeed, the sun comes up the next day and a world of possibilities are there for the taking.
Cheers!
