Life After Bankruptcy

by Pamela Ibanez
(Rochester, Kent, UK)

I always sought the perfect career in the same way that I went on a quest for the perfect husband... I just knew "The One" was out there!

I tried traditional employment as a teen, and quickly realized that I wasn't very good at having a boss. From there, I spent my entire adult life working on a contract basis or having a small business; mainly dancing, modeling, and teaching yoga. I did a lot of traveling.

After I had my first child, I knew I had to have better stability and focus. I went looking for a career that would provide me with that elusive work/life balance.

I discovered the world of real estate investing, and through trial and error built up a multi-million dollar business with a portfolio of about 30 properties. I was making a phenomenal income, but there was just one thing missing from my life - a life! I slept 4 hours per night, and worked the rest of the time. My family were strangers to me. What's the point in earning an incredible income if you have no time to enjoy it?

Then the economy changed, and I got completely wiped out. I filed bankruptcy and we lost our home to the bank. My husband left to work overseas, and I took our children and moved in with my parents. My self confidence at this point really did not exist, and I was at the lowest of lows.

One day, I woke up and realized that I had a choice. I could let my current circumstances control and dictate the rest of my life, or I could start with baby steps to pick myself up off the ground and take positive steps forward. I started doing Bikram yoga every day. I decided to dive into a little hobby business I had been running alongside my investment company for the last three years.

I was working as an independent consultant with a network marketing company called Arbonne. I plugged into the company's huge archived library of personal growth and development trainings and really found my feet again. I absorbed the free trainings on leadership, confidence, positive thinking, sales, marketing, time management, goal setting, dealing with toxic people, and so much more. I am now at the point where I have built up a thriving international organization, and am also enjoying lots of quality family time.

My biggest message to all the career changers out there is to not lose hope - there will be a glimmer of it somewhere if you are open to finding it. "The One" IS out there! Whatever you are looking for is looking for you.