"Does Praying Really Get You What You Want?"

Transparent moment. I was terminated from a previous employer in October of 2020. During my tenure in that role I was in banking, but had the opportunity to begin gaining experience communicating with clients about Mutual Funds and Stocks. I realized I enjoyed the investment area more than the current role. Being in this role had me completely stressed. I never thought I would be the coworker that would smoke on breaks or lunch, but at the time I smoked black and milds and would smoke them frequently throughout my shift because I was stressed. I was even drinking a can of beer prior to getting dressed for work. I was completely losing myself. I did everything I could to not be in the office. I maximized my FMLA (due to anxiety) and PTO. I was losing hope, but I knew at the time the only thing I could rely on was my faith and God. I prayed to God daily on my commute to the office that he would show me a sign that I shouldn’t continue in this role or remove me from this toxic environment. 

March of 2020 I transitioned to a work from home position due to the pandemic. I can admit, my first opportunity to be completely remote from home, I was not efficient at all at work. This caused me to be provided a final warning for my performance and that it was mandatory for me to be in the office. Losing my grandfather and cousin in the same month, in addition to the pandemic, I was mentally exhausted. Being careless with work, I was terminated due to a performance evaluation. I prayed to God to remove me from this environment and even though I didn’t expect to be removed in this way, I was relieved I didn’t have to return to that company. This was my first example of, you get what you prayed for.

Ironically, I lost my job, but within the same month I gained employment with an Investment Firm. Finally, I’m completely remote and doing a job I enjoyed. I started entry level as a non-licensed associate. With no prior experience or licensing, I was eager to build and I felt I actually was on a career path. I had applied to this position via a contractor agency. If you've ever been under contract with a company, you know that you don’t receive the same benefits as employees of the company. Weekly pay, being underpaid, and no 401(k) is not for the weak. The one thing that gave me hope was the opportunity to convert to being a licensed associate with the company. Even though I was a contractor, I thoroughly enjoyed my colleagues and leadership. Working alongside coworkers that are easygoing and relaxed makes the eight hours of work tolerable. Now that I was returning to a healthier mental space with work, you would assume I could balance my job with my passion, but internally I was struggling with not scratching the surface of where I wanted to be in life. Once again I was creating excuses as to why I couldn’t start on my passion, while others were progressing. Comparison is the thief of joy.

In May of 2022, due to meeting performance metrics and establishing a network within the company, I was offered the opportunity to initially study and have an attempt at the SIE (an intro exam into investment licensing). Even though I was given time during my shift to study and dedicating time after my shift to study, I failed. I was initially upset due to the time I dedicated for the exam, but I knew God was preparing me for a major blessing. In September of 2022 I was offered the opportunity to finally convert and be a licensed associate. This meant no working, but being paid, until all three exams were passed. This is what I prayed to God for. Finally time to not work and put my full attention to gaining my licensing. Two attempts for the SIE, two attempts for the Series 7 and one attempt for the Series 63 (7 month process) later, I was fully licensed and ready to begin my career as a licensed stock broker. 

After completing my licensing journey, all associates were given the opportunity to utilize their PTO prior to starting their new role. I was exhausted! I took full advantage and started a month later. Not the best decision to utilize the majority of your PTO at the beginning of the year, but I felt it was well deserved after the stress of exams. When starting in my new role, I was placed on a non-licensed team as a probationary period until I was able to be placed on a licensed team. I spent three months dedicating and focusing all my energy into excelling in this company and role. Again, this was a reminder that I was devoted to a job but not my passion. How could I put my all into a company that could terminate me with no warning, but not put the same time into building my own business? 

My probationary period was completed and the company decided to place me in the same department that I came from in the non-licensed area. This wasn’t what I was expecting after everything I endured to get to this point in my career. After my probationary period, I was promoted to the licensed team and now this was where the real work begins, or so I thought. After two months of training combined with working in the role, I still felt something was missing in my life. Two things, I missed being completely remote and I knew eventually I wanted to relocate to Brooklyn. Being in the office and placed on a team with a younger generation of men, the immaturity level was at an all time high and me being the calm, reserved man I am, I couldn’t cope with that daily. Also, this company did not have headquarters located in New York. These two reasons were enough ammunition to change my situation. 

I remember during my time away from the office after licensing, I visited New York with my girlfriend and was able to connect with her friend’s boyfriend. It’s amazing how God shows you signs because he suggested I apply to a company while living in Charlotte that’s located in New York and that’s completely remote. Fast forward, during my training prior to joining the licensed area, I was able to share with a trainer what my goals were and he suggested I do the same thing. God I’m listening to you! In October I decided to apply to an investment firm that is 100% remote and located in New York. After two interviews, I was offered the position in January. I don’t recommend doing this because it’s a risk, but due to me being mentally disconnected from my employer, I decided to utilize all my FMLA and PTO because I was ready to submit my two weeks notice and start with the new investment firm. I prayed to God for time away from the office to rest and prepare myself for the next chapter. 

After assuming, emphasis on assuming, that I would begin with the new investment firm in February, my start date was updated to the end of March. I had submitted my two weeks notice and ended employment with the prior firm. I was under the impression that completing my two interviews, signing my offer letter and completing additional information with the company would suffice. Now I’m in a space of living off what’s remaining in my personal accounts and savings, with the support of my girlfriend as well. My girlfriend gave me daily reminders, this is what I prayed and asked God for. She reminded me to not worry and give it to God, but in the meantime to rest mentally and enjoy the things I normally don’t have the opportunity to do. How can you worry but also have faith in God? That's when the power of prayer and daily talks with God comes into effect.

Credit: Churchome

I received an email recently that my background screening has not cleared and my revised start date is now the end of May. I say all of this to say I prayed to God to bless me with time away from working to rest my body and mind, but I also asked God for a 100% remote position. I’ve been able to rest for months, travel and get myself back in a mental space to actually weightlift, plan content etc. Take the time you need because working a nine to five in a stressful industry and balancing your entrepreneurial endeavors is a lot! Don’t worry about what others may feel or think because honestly they may not even be thinking in depth about it. The content will come and the content you truly want to create will be shown plus you’ll be doing it in a happy mindset.