The Turning Point — How a Setback Led Me to My True Path

Resilience isn’t always about dramatic triumphs—it’s often about how we respond when life shifts unexpectedly, and what we choose to do next.

Back in 2016, I was managing a premium client while handling four social media pages on the side. At that time, I was earning six figures—a milestone that felt like success. But managing multiple niches was exhausting. Even though I had hired someone to create images, the strategy, planning, and execution all fell on me. (there was no AI at that time) Every day felt draining, and I realized that if I wanted to grow in another direction, I needed to let go.

When I decided to focus on training, I formally filed a three-week leave with my premium client. Before leaving, I made sure my team was fully trained to handle the work in my absence. I thought I had prepared everything carefully.

But during my leave, a colleague sent me a message that shook me: our biggest client—the one considered the company’s “bread and butter”—had left for another marketing agency. The news hit hard, but I tried to stay calm.

When I returned from leave, I had an uneasy feeling about what would happen next. I was right. Because my salary could cover two people in the company, I was the first to be let go. It hurt—professionally, financially, and emotionally. I had given my all, yet the outcome was beyond my control.

And yet, in hindsight, that setback became the turning point of my life. Losing that job forced me to fully commit to the path I had been quietly longing for: training. It was scary at first, stepping into the unknown, but it’s also where I found joy, purpose, and fulfillment.

That experience taught me something crucial: resilience isn’t just about surviving a setback—it’s about using it to pivot toward something better. Sometimes life closes a door not to punish us, but to push us toward the path we were meant to take.

Lessons From This Turning Point

• Preparation matters, but some outcomes are beyond your control: Focus on what you can influence—your skills, mindset, and next steps.

• Let setbacks guide, not define you: Loss can be a signal to pursue what truly matters.

• Joy comes from purpose, not just income: Sometimes, fulfillment is worth more than financial security.

• Resilience is a choice: It’s deciding to move forward, learn, and grow, even when life feels unfair.

Looking back, being let go was one of the hardest moments in my career—but it became the catalyst that led me to where I am today: doing work I love, helping others grow, and finding joy in every training session.