I ignored my calling for a long time, until I couldn't ignore it anymore.

I left my career in Big Tech--and when I say big, I mean BIG 😉--took a massive leap of faith, and left structured security to pursue my dreams. I haven't looked back since.

⏩This message is to YOU, who right now, feels lost or dissatisfied with the current path you're on.

⏩Or to you, who currently has fears or limiting beliefs standing in the way between you and your dreams.

For a long time, I followed what I was told was the path to success, what others wanted to see me do, what was more logical by society's standards.

Especially coming from my more traditional cultural background, and from a family of all doctors 👩🏻‍⚕️👨🏽‍⚕️(with the very rare occasional lawyer or engineer), the path my heart yearned for deep down; that my intuition and the universe continuously tried to guide me towards; I didn't even think was an option for me.

I hopped around until I thought I found the perfect role and company for me.

Yet still, something strongly did not feel right.

I tried to ignore it. After all, by society's standard, my last corporate role had everything I thought I wanted, and I had accomplished a lot. I had already made it to "successful". I earnt the right to be complacent and happy. I was at a prestigious company that I respected, and was very financially comfortable. I had a great manager I admired and an awesome team, flexible PTO (hello!👏🏻) and a reasonable work life balance.

🤔 So what was wrong?

➡️ What was wrong was it wasn't me. The real me. It wasn't MY calling. It wasn't making the best use of my skills. It wasn't my purpose. I wasn't contributing to society and the collective as best that I could.

By the time I finally listened to the inner-calling and left Snapchat, I had been running from my purpose too long, until I could not run anymore.

When you ignore your calling, it comes calling to you. ⏳

(let's trademark Petra that line 😉)

When you ignore your calling, it will haunt you until you listen. It will eat at you from the inside until you can no longer ignore it. It will fog your mind and even come after your body until you have no doubt.

I went from being pre-med, to working for a fashion magazine, Kohl's corporate, Lbrands (own Victoria's Secret, Bath & Body Works, La Senza etc), a tech start-up, Google, and finally Snapchat before I listened. I thought I was in the perfect place at Snapchat, and I did indeed love it! But for me, I was still ignoring what I knew deep down.

👏🏻Yes, it's scary following your dreams. Yes, there's a sense of instability, and the perceived risks are very high. Yes, you have to work even harder, and go against the opinions of others. But believe me when I say it is worth it in every way possible.

Quit that job. Go for that promotion. Open that store. Start that business. Pick up that class or hobby. Follow your dream, whatever it is. 💪🏼