Val in the Media

Essence, November 2002

After two years working as a producer for a talk show in Washington, D.C., Tanya Woods, 25, was in a career rut. She longed for an opportunity to advance, but after months of being passed over for more challenging assignments, Woods realized that in order to have the fulfilling career she craved, she'd have to leave the job — and the life — she knew. So she quit and moved to Los Angeles — without having another position lined up. "Walking away without knowing when or if I'd be able to find another job had me on edge," says Woods. "But I had to do it if I hoped to boost my career and my spirits."

As Woods discovered, leaving the comfort zone is difficult for most of us because it's the place we feel safest. But Eleta J. Greene, Ph.D., a psychologist in Atlanta, says we often settle for the very things that keep us down. "Rather than take a risk, most of us would rather hold on to what's familiar, even when it's destructive," says Greene.

Still, not all risks are advisable. "A good risk is one that moves you toward a life goal," says Val Williams, an executive coach in Edison, New Jersey. She makes the distinction between blind risks — those taken without much thought about the consequences — and intelligent risks, in which all possible outcomes are carefully weighted. For instance, Woods increased her odds for success by taking a few well-considered steps before hitting the road: She arranged to live with a cousin, saved enough money to cover her living expenses for a few months, enlisted a friend to help her drive across the country, and wrote letters to contacts she had solicited from everyone she knew.

It's only after you have done your homework — all the thinking, researching and assessing -- that you're ready for the risk-taking moment. That's a lesson that Cindy Williams, a 50-year-old fashion and home designer in Washington, D.C., learned the hard way. She had been designing and creating clothing out of her home for friends, family and a growing list of clients for years when she decided to take the plunge and open her own shop. But her lifelong dream hit a big snag — Willams didn't know anything about operating a boutique. "I had the artistic skills and the drive but little cash and no business acumen." She now admits. And without a business plan, she could not get a loan. After renting, renovating, stocking and staffing her boutique, Williams barely had enough funds to open her shop; she was in over her head. Somehow she did it anyway, then struggled for six years before finally closing. Though her gamble didn't pay off, Williams says, she now knows better and vows to reopen her store. "But next time I'll have a partner who can take care of the business end," she adds.

As for Tanya Woods' gamble, three months after moving to Los Angeles she landed a job as a production assistant with CBS Entertainment. It was a step down from her previous position but a welcome start. Promoted to writer-producer within six months, Woods, now 31, develops commercials for CBS shows, which provides her with creative challenges. "I got exactly what I wanted," crows Woods.

Before you jump into a new venture, Val Williams, an executive coach in Edison, New Jersey, suggests the following:

• Write down your ultimate goal, and include the intermediate steps you'll need to take to get you there. As you progress toward your dream by meeting each hurdle, you'll build confidence.
  
• Consider potential obstacles and develop strategies to overcome them. If you lack confidence, read self-help books. If you need additional credentials or skills, go back to school or find other ways to get more training.
  
• Recruit cheerleaders. Get emotional support from the people who believe in you. "When I felt low, I always called my mom, who'd help me think things through," says Tanya Woods, who, after moving from Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles, found a new career in television. "She reminded me that I could do whatever I put my mind to."
  
• Have a backup plan so you can keep yourself motivated and on track when obstacles occur. To ensure that the lack of money didn't force her to abandon her efforts, Woods signed on for part-time work with two temp agencies as soon as she got to her new home.
  
• Remember that a setback doesn't mean defeat. Failures can help you make your dreams come true if you learn something from the experience.