Embracing Change: Why Leaving My Job Feels Like a Blessing

A Surprising Calm in the Face of Change

After two weeks of traveling, attending conferences, and meeting with my boss in person for the last time, I received my year-end review—solid performance, full bonus payout, no surprises. But the bigger conversation was about what’s next.

Since I had turned down an offer to lead Risk & Control for digital, the writing was on the wall. My boss, Sam, even fought to keep me, but the decision was made. They needed my salary to fund that role, and my work was too far ahead of their priorities. Plus, as Sam put it, I was “too expensive” to be redirected elsewhere. (Guess I negotiated well five years ago!)

So, my last day at the company will be April 11. And yet, I feel… calm.

Even Sam noticed—he was nervous about delivering the news, but I reassured him. This isn’t bad news. It’s actually a blessing.

Why This Change Feels Right

I’ve been contemplating leaving this company for nearly four years.

• My skills weren’t fully utilized. I contributed where I could, but progress was slow.
• Innovation was nonexistent. The focus was always on mergers, cost-cutting, and risk remediation.
• Leadership didn’t inspire me. The new big boss talks a good game but hasn’t follow through yet to anyone.
• I wasn’t learning from others. Most of what I gained came from self-driven efforts.

This isn’t the type of work environment where I thrive. And frankly, I needed this push to move forward.

The Freedom to Redesign My Life

A big reason I feel calm is financial security. As soon as I declined the big promotion, I ran three different financial models to estimate how secure I’d be without this job.

All signs pointed to the same conclusion: I could retire today if I wanted to.

I won’t. I love working. It gives me purpose, keeps me sharp, and, as longevity studies show, helps people live longer. But now I get to work on my own terms.

So, what does that look like? I’m applying design thinking to my next chapter.

Designing My Life: Six Key Areas

I’ve identified six areas where I want to innovate:

1. Sexy, Vibrant Lei – Staying fit and energetic well into my 80s and with my hubby.
2. Vocational Freedom – Working the way I want, on what excites me for another 30+ years.
3. Teaching & Sharing Knowledge – Helping others with what I’ve learned.
4. Being a Supportive Daughter – Spending meaningful time with my aging parents.
5. Being a Present Mother – Making the most of the time I have left with my kids before they head to college.
6. Investing in Friendships – Nurturing old friendships and building new ones.

Now, I’m brainstorming divergent ideas for each of these areas.

Exploring Possibilities: What’s Next?

Here is a starting list.  I will continue to brainstorm more in these areas.

1. Vocational Freedom – Work That Inspires Me

• Look for a fun full-time job (spending one day a week exploring options).
• Take on special projects (paid or unpaid) that challenge me and allow me to learn.
• Help a non-profit. I just joined the Women’s Leadership Council at the Renaissance Center in San Francisco. I want to use AI tools like ChatGPT to help with fundraising research, grant writing, and even teaching entrepreneurs how to leverage AI.
• Advise friends on work issues. I love giving career advice—maybe there’s a way to do this meaningfully at a lower cost.
• Invest in promising businesses. My husband and I are newly investing in a new real estate fund focusing on short-term rentals.

2. Sexy, Vibrant Lei – Getting into the Best Shape of My Life

• Make fitness a “work project.” Add weight training twice a week, track my nutrition, and optimize my workouts.
• Try Postural Restoration Training (first session is March 22).
• Go out dancing more.
• Travel with my husband. First stop: Puerto Vallarta in May!

3. Being a Supportive Daughter – Creating Memories with My Parents

• Plan a family trip to Japan in July with all our Chinese relatives.
• Use AI to help my dad build his legacy. Maybe a combination of recorded voice memos and ChatGPT could turn his thoughts into a book, podcast, or articles.

4. Being a Present Mother – Quality Time with My Kids

• Travel with Isabel for college visits on the East Coast during spring break.
• Plan a special mother-daughter trip with Alexis—maybe an overnight stay at Gilroy Gardens?
• Send the kids to visit their cousins in Austin this summer.
• Bring back family game nights! (Friday nights sound perfect.)

5. Investing in Friendships – Strengthening Connections

• Start annual staycations with old friends.
• Reach out to new people. See if new friendships can develop naturally.
• Plan trips with extended family who are also close friends.

Embracing the Transition

With five more weeks at work, I have time to transition well and say proper goodbyes. But I’m not waiting until April 11 to start this next chapter—I’m already testing out small experiments from the list above.

Life is unfolding in front of me, and I’m choosing to embrace it fully.

This isn’t the end—it’s just the beginning of a more intentional, exciting, and fulfilling chapter.

Let’s see where this journey takes me! 🚀

Your comments:  I look forward to your suggestions on any of these areas.  🙂

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Best wishes to a life of learning and opportunities.  I am always in your corner.

Lei