This had been a long time coming for me. I thought, "What is wrong with me?" After becoming a physical therapist eight years ago, I have never kept a career at any one company longer than three years. I would always get the "two year itch," where I would start looking for another job trying to find "something better." I did not really know what that better was.

I started my physical therapy career in the hospital setting, where I completed one of my clinical rotations. I knew the system, format, patient population and was comfortable treating patients because I was able to complete a three month rotation, where I learned a lot. I thought, "This will be great since I have already worked here and know the staff," but the monotony started to make me yearn for something more. While I was helping people in the hospital return home, I was not feeling fulfilled and excited about going to work.

So then I thought of transitioning to outpatient physical therapy, which offered pool and land therapy. I thought," this will be great because patients are coming to you for help and you can have more of an impact on their lives by getting them back to things they like doing." One of the things that drew me to this specific outpatient clinic was that they catered toward new graduates. While I had a couple of years physical therapy experience in the field and a three month clinical rotation in outpatient, working in fast paced clinic was very difficult at first. I had to learn how to treat patients in 20 minutes, come up with an exercise plan and supervise an aide. The first three months was not pretty, but I learned by observing other physical therapists, learning about different diagnoses and treatment plans through studying at home. After awhile, I started to see patterns and became much more efficient with treating patients. But then again after two years, I started to experience boredom, was tired of treating patients in the pool and having to get in a bathing suit 2-3 times a week.

One my co-workers, who had recently quit the pool and land therapy clinic to work with a big reputable healthcare company, recommended that I apply to the same company She said, "the benefits are amazing and will be great for you and your family. You also will get more time with patients." I thought to myself, "This is a win-win situation!" It seemed like I had and what most people would consider a great career. I had amazing benefits for my family and I, great hours to where I could have quality time with my family at the end of the day. After three years I hit a breaking point. I just did not feel like I was doing what I was meant to be doing and why I was put here on this earth.

I came across an article called "Careers After Physical Therapy School: The Road Less Traveled" and felt compelled to comment on it because I felt like the article was written about me and my struggle.

6.14.16

"While I have been a physical therapist for some years now, I have learned a lot of where I want my career to go. This article really hit home in terms of falling into the mold after PT school. I worked in the hospital for a couple years after PT school but I knew this was not the setting for me. The last four years I have been at a couple of outpatient clinics and while I do love this setting, the limitations set by insurance and by the clinic (treating a patient for 30-45 minutes) have started my thinking about where I want to go from here.

While I was in grad school, I did have the dream of wanting to open up my own practice, but as you pointed in your article how PT school does not really prepare you for it, I thought that dream would be too far fetched. Then I thought well maybe I should do a residency just because that is what our professors recommended. Everything that I thought about clearly showed how PT school and steers students into the “mold” of what to do post PT school.

As I contemplate more and more about my career and life, I definitely keep thinking that there is more to life than falling into that “mold” of going to school, then going to work and then retiring. There is so much more life out there to be lived other than working a typical 8 hour day 5 days a week. So I am so thankful to read this insightful article, which has confirmed my aspirations to try travelling PT and even a hybrid model as you have taken. I have learned what I do not want to do and now I want to be able to do what I want to do. I want to travel, teach, take courses, work when I want to work and make myself happy!"

6.6.14 Shante's (the author) response

"Jenn! What a fanstastically brilliant response! I absolutely LOVE hearing from passionate people like yourself, and am so excited that you’ve decided to take the leap and follow your happiness. I couldn’t agree more with everything you said, particularly your last paragraph; “There is so much more life out there to be lived other than working a typical 8 hour day 5 days a week.” Preach it, sister! There absolutely is, and I have no doubt that you will find your way and never look back. Thanks so much for reaching out and leaving such a personal, and ah-mazing response. As Brett said, we’re always here to chat, so don’t be a stranger. Best of luck with your journey."

Come to find out that summer, Shante moved from NYC to West LA, my 'hood! I decided to reach and learn more about her story. She even recommended since we were practically neighbors that we should meet up and we did! It was great to know that I was not alone in feeling that "There is so much more life out there to be lived other than working a typical 8 hour day 5 days a week.”

From reading numerous business books to self improvement books including "Four Hour Workweek," "Promise of a Pencil," "The Alchemist," "Start Something That Matters," "Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion and Purpose" "5 Second Rule," "Celestine Prophecy," "Perennial Seller," and "Dare Greatly," I have come to realize that their is something out there that I was meant to do that's bigger than myself. I have plans to re-evaluate and re-structure the company that I have started two other colleagues, especially after starting to read "E-Myth Mastery." I plan to create my own product and really figure out why I was put on this earth and what I was meant to do. I am so excited to take this journey and learn more, especially about myself!

Upon having an in depth conversation with one of my patients, he made such a simple yet enlightening point how kids are constantly learning new things every day and of course I thought of my own kids and what they are learning day in and day out. Then I think about myself and others and how after working at the same company, doing the same thing, we get in a routine and the monotony and boredom sets in. I noticed that I take the same route to work and I know when my co-workers will arrive to work. I see the same cars parked in the same parking spots. My day is planned with the sample "template" day in and day out. No wonder I changed jobs so much. It's like Groundhog's Day every day! I realized starting new jobs was fun and exciting especially to learn new things, but once the novelty wore off, I was already looking for the next job. I yearn to learn and grow!!

12.11.17

While I looked over the email I sent you about a year and a half ago about contemplating about taking the leap and reading and responding to your "Road Less Traveled" article, I can confidently say I DID IT! I put in my letter of resignation today. While it was nerve racking, scary and exciting at the same time, I feel I needed to leave my 8-5 job to grow professionally and personally. I am excited for what the future holds including to continue to build my business, create my own product, learn/take courses, travel and just continue to help others. 

I just wanted to thank you for making such an impression on me with your great attitude and passion for life and happiness. Reading your article and meeting with you really sparked a fire inside me that and I am so glad to say that I finally took the leap. Seeing how you have created the life you want has inspired me to do the same!  Looking back at where I was a year and half ago, I can see how far I have come am just so excited and motivated to continue to live happily and enjoy life! 

12.13.17 Shante's response

This email makes me so happy! Absolutely LOVE hearing things like this. Everyone's journey is different, and I'm proud of you for realizing how much you have grown in the past year. While taking the leap can be terrifying, at some point, as you've become aware, there becomes no other option, and you just gotta go for it. Yes, it's scary as hell, but the rewards you receive along the way...so worth it.

I've got a taping course in Culver City on April 28-29 and would totally love to see you there. But, either way, I'd love for you to keep me posted and periodically update me on what's going on. So pumped for you!

Thanks for taking the time to shoot me an email. Truly appreciated. Happy Holidays!