Ep 03: Why I Quit My PhD Program | Allowing New Dreams to Emerge #Throwback

Hi everyone, it's Amanda. I am so happy to be vlogging to you today from Portland. So you might be able to see around me. I'm in a little bit of a different world. So today I have a really special topic that's close to my heart. As you guys know, I believe in doing what you love, creating a life you love, believing in yourself, believing in your gifts, believing your gifts are enough, and that using your gifts to make a difference in the world is what you're made to do. Whatever we are good at, whatever we love is what we are called to do. It doesn't have to be the best at it or perfect at it. I find that when I love it, it doesn't feel like hard work. When I love what I do, I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen. When I love what I do, I find myself getting better at it all the time. So to me, it has become more important to do what I love, to enjoy my life, like really, really enjoy my life, to make decisions that feel good to me, to follow my gut and my intuition, and to never settle. It has become more and more apparent to me that a part of my life is not something I love, it's not something that I enjoy, it's actually something that I drive, something that matter how much I endeavor to bring all my light and love and energy and happiness to the situation. The situation is not for me. The situation drains me, takes away my creativity. It's not what I was meant to do. It's not following my bliss. So I've chosen to quit my PhD program and I'm really, really happy about that decision. I find myself relating to a lot of clients I've had over the years who have chose to left the job, leave the relationship, make it change and follow their heart in ways that really scared them but in ways that ended up empowering them and I've been in the situation a couple times before when I left the cult, when in some of you know that story, when I decided to go back to school, when I decided, oh, and high school decided to quit the cheerleading team, following my bliss, following my happy was always the right answer. So I've chose to make that decision and I feel the fear and the what ifs and my ego going, what about this, what about this, what about that? You know what does what it sound like? What if the business doesn't work? What if you don't make enough money? What if the economy crashes? What if people don't like life good just anymore? What if I don't even know? Like what if, what if, what if, what if? Who are you? If you don't have a PhD, who are you? If this, who are you? If that, all those limiting beliefs that basically say you're not enough. Those are always bullshit because you always are enough. It doesn't matter your age, it doesn't, your income, your looks, whatever. Fact with the economy is doing a fact if people think you're too old or not smart enough or not pretty enough or whatever. If you have a dream, it's in your heart for a reason. And there's a way for you to make it happen. I'm saying no to the negative thought and I'm choosing the loving thought that is I choose to love myself. I choose to take care of myself. I choose to do what enables me to bring the most light into the world and that is not being in this program any longer. So I'm really happy about leaving. I know I'm following my gut in my heart and a bigger dream. A PhD is my dream I've had for a long time, but this other thing I feel growing inside of me that has to do with the work I do through life coaching just feels really big. I'm really important and like the direction of my heart. I promise you that I will be an example of someone who's living their dreams, making it work in the world, earning money, doing what I love and living out all the things that I preach every time I pick up this camera right on my block. I'm wondering has there ever been a time where you had to take a big chance? A time where you went after a dream or decided not to settle or left the job, left the relationship went just just trusted that there was a better way and that you deserve more. What areas do you know you could be doing this and you're not? Leave it in the comment. I'd love the comment back and give you a little support and encouragement. So as always, I'm thinking of you guys love you. I hope that something from this mess is today resonated with you and encouraged you in some way to have the kind of life that you want to go after your dreams. Live a little bigger. Live a little brighter and make a big difference in the world. So I love you so much. Let me know if I can do anything for you. You can find me on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest @XOMandaFrancis. My blog is AmandaFrancis.com. Have a lovely day. I'll talk to you soon.