Moments that make you leave a dream job...

Have you ever sat in your corner office, staring at another impressive sales report, and felt completely empty inside? I have. And I know I'm not alone.

Let me share three moments that changed everything for me—moments I bet many of you will recognize:

Moment #1: The Birthday Revelation

It was my birthday, and I was celebrating another record-breaking quarter. \$108 million in sales, the highest numbers in my division. Yet instead of feeling elated, I found myself in my car, mascara running, asking, "Is this all there is?"

The spreadsheets showed success, but my heart was screaming for something more meaningful than just moving numbers from one column to another.

Moment #2: The Mirror Meeting

During a high-stakes presentation, I caught my reflection in the conference room window. The power suit, the perfectly rehearsed pitch, the diplomatic smile—I barely recognized myself. I was playing a role in someone else's script, excelling at a game I didn't even want to win.

That day, I realized success shouldn't require us to wear a mask.

Moment #3: The Late-Night Email

It was 11 PM, and I was still responding to emails. My phone buzzed with another franchise target update. That's when it hit me: I was helping build someone else's empire while my own dreams collected dust. I was trading my authentic voice for a corporate script, my vision for a predetermined path.

These moments might sound familiar because they're not just my story—they're the quiet whispers in corner offices and corporate boardrooms across the country.

The Truth Behind the Transformation:

• Every time I hit a sales target, the celebration felt shorter

• Each promotion came with a bigger piece of my soul as the price tag

• The higher I climbed, the further I felt from my true purpose

But here's what I want you to know:

That discomfort you're feeling? It's not failure—it's your inner wisdom screaming for attention.

Those Sunday night anxiety attacks? They're not weakness—they're your entrepreneurial spirit fighting to break free.

That nagging feeling that you're meant for more? Trust it. Because you are.

The Real Plot Twist:

The moment I decided to leave the franchise world wasn't marked by fireworks or a dramatic exit. It was a quiet Tuesday morning when I finally admitted: Success without fulfillment is just expensive emptiness.

Today, through Women Can Sell, I help other women recognize and act on their own moments of realization. Because that corner office might be someone's dream—but if it's not yours, all the success metrics in the world won't make it feel right.

Your Turn:

When was your moment? When did you first feel that disconnect between your corporate success and your true calling? Share your story below—because sometimes naming it is the first step to changing it.

P.S. If these moments resonate with you, you're not alone. And more importantly, you're not stuck. There's a way to build success on your own terms, without sacrificing your authenticity or sanity in the process.

With Love,

Ashley Blackmore