Taking risks in life can be frightening especially when the payoffs are uncertain. Many of us would rather stay in a comfortable position than pursue something that makes us feel passion, excitement, and joy. Leaving a secure job or a cushy lifestyle is extremely difficult, which is why many of us stay stuck in unfulfilling and unrewarding situations. One common situation in which many people find themselves stuck is a job that compensates well but which drains your energy, passion, and vitality. In this interview with Lydia Lee, we talk about taking a complete turnaround and following your passion and heart and trusting them to lead you to a life that is infinitely more rewarding, fulfilling, and meaningful. Through our conversation, Lydia, a fellow Malaysian, describes the point at which she knew she had to change her high-paying job and jet-setting lifestyle for something that has meaning and purpose to her. She quit her job, followed her passion, and today serves clients all over the world by helping them carve a working life that is uniquely meaningful to them. From beautiful warm tropical Bali. 

About Lydia

Lydia is a work reinvention strategist (also lovingly known as the ‘Freedom Instigator’) at Screw The Cubicle, her own company. Since 2013, she's helped hundreds of people transition out of the golden corporate handcuffs, develop successful self-employment strategies, and create an impact in the work they want to do. 

The core of what she does is based on a belief that people can create a relationship with work that's deeply meaningful for themselves. And that they shouldn't have to sacrifice their lives for work. Instead, they need to find the right type of work that builds on their strengths, passions, and interests.

Now based in Bali, Lydia spends her time teaching people how to quit jobs that are crushing their souls, discover their hidden talents, and make money doing something they love and care about. She works primarily with corporate professionals, usually in mid-career to transition out of the traditional trajectory of a full-time job.  She's focused on helping them to repurpose their expertise into a meaningful business that' builds on their strengths, values, and personality. Lydia has experienced massive burnout with a high-paying job where she spent 6 months out of a year traveling around the world and living out of a suitcase in 5-star hotels. This kind of work, however, caused anxiety, health problems, and stress. After she suffered a panic attack in a hotel room in Moscow, she reevaluated her life, resigned from her job, and pursued her passion for helping others live their best lives. Screw the Cubicle was born and Lydia found herself setting up her business in Bali. She loves it so much that she's made Bali home. 

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Links and resources mentioned in the interview:

Website