Most people dread the day they hear their boss say, “Sorry, but we need to let you go.” 

For me, it was a day of celebration and one that changed the trajectory of my life forever. Literally!

The day I received that phone call … I wasn’t surprised. My boss asked me if I could meet him in a separate location; outside of our offices … my co-workers called it the “fire zone.”

The ‘fire zone’

After I pulled up in the taxi, I haphazardly jumped out and started walking toward the building. Even though I wanted to be fired — and fully expected to be fired — still my pulse quickened and my breath shortened. So, I started repeating a prayer that has supported me throughout my life: “

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.”

Then I paused for a moment, took a deep breath and proceeded to the “fire zone.”

Before I go into the details of my inevitable firing it’s important to share that the situation was foreshadowed in a clairvoyant moment months earlier when I actually envisioned the “you’re fired talk” happening.

It was a dark and wet January day and as I left work, overworked and exhausted, a vision hit me. In that moment I considered that my days were numbered and that my true calling would need to take priority, sooner than later. My whole body broke out in chills and sweats.

I quickly dialed my best friend to share the details. After listening to me recount my impromptu vision, she was on the same page. In that moment, I knew I would be gone within a month. Sure enough, a month to the date and I was called to meet my boss at the “firing zone.”

When I arrived, my boss sat me down and began to share lovely words of adoration; things like, how wonderful, talented, and results-driven I was… but after he built me up, he delivered a quick blow. He fired me.

Finally, unstuck and free

Goodbye. Bon voyage. See you later alligator. I was fired and subsequently unemployed. As I left that meeting, tears of joy flew from my face as I thought, “I am finally free! Free to do whatever I want and free to actually chase my dreams hard.” It was the push that I needed to move forward.

The thing with working for someone else is that most people get stuck in positions at places they truly do not love. By default, they commit to a life of mediocrity. While there is nothing wrong with that, I personally knew that there had to be more to my life.

In the cab ride home that day I made a promise to myself … “this would be the day I went for it.” Being fired from my job would be the push I needed in my life to become the person I always wanted to be but was too afraid.

In the days, weeks and months to follow I was able to let go and truly start standing tall in my long-desired vision of starting a business, Malaine Lea Inc.

Getting fired can be a good thing

Getting fired was the best thing that happened to me because it taught me three important life lessons I otherwise would have happily avoided.

Surrendering is an art

First, it taught me how to surrender to the process and flow of life. Life is never really predictable and security is an illusion.

Action without attachment

Losing my job put me into pure action mode. I started taking massive actions towards my vision. While my vision and intentions were pure and clear I was not attached to any outcome. The massive action allowed me to proceed further in life without worry or doubt. I was creating so much that I knew in my heart something would fall into place.

Submission to something greater

Getting fired gave me the opportunity to develop a stronger relationship with God. I would wake up every morning and say, “Today, God, I am making you massive, please help guide me and give me courage to walk through whatever may come my way.” The development and strengthen of this relationship got me through some pretty rough days that inevitable come when you are building your own business.

Getting fired was the best day of my life because it gave me the situation, and subsequently, the tools I needed to thrive and not merely survive in life. I had no choice but to go after my dreams and goals.

Sometimes we all just need a little push, right?

Two years later I am living in New Zealand, on the other side of the world. After traveling to ten countries in ten months I fell in love with my soulmate in Auckland. All while building my own company, Malaine Lea Inc. that is empowering women globally to stand in their power (while making me a comfy 6-figure salary).

Dreams do come true; sometimes you need to get fired to get started.

This article has been edited and condensed.

Malaine Lea, owner of Malaine Lea Inc., is a lifestyle architect and spiritual guide. Malaine has dedicated her life’s work to creating a world in which an individuals’ connection to the Divine allows us healing, compassion and love of self in order to recognize one-ness with each other and radically increase peace and love in the world. She has been featured in Inspired Coach Magazine, Goddess on the Go Events, Sustainable Success Lounge, and Elephant Journal. Connect with @MalaineLeaGrace on Twitter.

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